Leftover Rice Made Into Spanish Rice

Transform your leftovers into a vibrant, flavorful dish with this easy recipe for Leftover Rice Made Into Spanish Rice. Perfectly seasoned and packed with sautéed onions, garlic, bell peppers, and a blend of warm spices like cumin and paprika, this recipe turns ordinary cooked rice into a crave-worthy side or main dish. Simmered with tangy tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and a splash of broth, the rice absorbs rich, savory flavors in just 15 minutes of cooking time. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, this quick and budget-friendly recipe effortlessly balances bold flavors with a refreshing twist. Ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this Spanish Rice upgrade is a delicious way to reduce food waste and impress your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium (diced) yellow onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium (diced) bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 0.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (chopped) fresh cilantro
• 1 medium (wedges for garnish) lime

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper. Sauté for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. Stir well, allowing it to coat the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance its flavor.

Step 5

Add the cooked rice to the skillet and toss to evenly combine with the vegetable mixture.

Step 6

Pour in 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup of chicken or vegetable broth. Stir thoroughly.

Step 7

Season with ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 8

Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 9

Turn off the heat and sprinkle fresh cilantro over the Spanish Rice.

Step 10

Serve warm with lime wedges on the side for a fresh splash of citrus flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1326.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1271.7

Total Fat 38.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 4.8mg	0%
Sodium 1987.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 208.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 20.8g
Protein 24.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 249.2mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 1639.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.2%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 65.3%