Mediterranean Diet Rice with Spinach

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this vibrant and wholesome Mediterranean Diet Rice with Spinach! Combining fluffy basmati rice with nutrient-rich spinach, zesty lemon, and fragrant oregano, this one-pot dish is both nourishing and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Cooked in a savory vegetable broth for added depth, each bite delivers a perfect balance of zestiness and warmth. Fresh parsley and optional crumbled feta add a refreshing and creamy finish, making it a crowd-pleaser for vegetarians and omnivores alike. Ready in just 35 minutes, this spinach rice recipe is the ultimate healthy side dish or light main course. Perfect for meal prep, quick dinners, or any time you crave a taste of the Mediterranean!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Red onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups Basmati rice, rinsed
• 3 cups Vegetable broth
• 4 cups Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 whole Zest of lemon
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped red onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rinsed basmati rice to the saucepan and stir to coat the grains in the oil and onion mixture.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the rice simmer for about 15 minutes.

Step 7

After 15 minutes, uncover and stir in the chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt into the rice.

Step 8

Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.

Step 9

Re-cover the pot and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed.

Step 10

Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to absorb any remaining moisture.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

Step 12

Serve the Mediterranean Diet Rice with Spinach warm, topped with optional crumbled feta cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1648.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1368.4

Total Fat 62.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 4446.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 157.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.1g	0%
Total Sugars 22.0g
Protein 52.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1168.9mg	0%
Iron 16.2mg	0%
Potassium 3658.3mg	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: 40.2%

Protein: 14.8%

Carbs: 45.0%