One pot meals are always a favorite go-to dinner in our family. This Spanish rice sounds like the perfect side dish but it can be a main dish as well. This meal is filled with meat, cheese, tomatoes, and onions. All the hearty ingredients with all the flavor! This Spanish rice is the perfect family meal that everyone will love! It is a simple large skillet meal that can have added ingredients to make it even more hearty and nutritious with several variations. Create the best meal for your family that you will have on repeat each week!
What is the Difference Between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?
Mexican and Spanish rice only have a few differences! Spanish rice is known to be firmer, stronger aroma, and usually is added to dishes that cook for a longer time frame. The seasoning is more of a southwestern style rice. Mexican rice is softer, has a milder aroma, and is known to be more delicate. Mexican rice is usually made with tomato sauce that gives it that orange coloring. It also uses more saffron or cumin giving it other tints of brown or yellow in the rice. Here is an easy Mexican rice recipe that our family loves!
Ingredients for Spanish Rice
This Easy Spanish Rice was a regular rotation meal when we were growing up. I am pretty sure it was slightly different every time, though, because our mom rarely followed a recipe. It is a family favorite!
Ground beef – lean ground beef is best when cooking. Once finished browning, drain the access grease, if any. Onion – I used a yellow onion but a red onion or white onion will work with more flavoring. Rice – long grain white rice has a fluffy texture when cooked rather than soft and clumpy. Chicken broth – this is a thin substance that will add more flavor compared to chicken stock. Diced tomatoes – great blend of flavor and tomatoes with a little heat. Tomato sauce – add in tomato flavor with herbs and delicious seasoning to your rice.Salt and Pepper – great for taste! Cheese – you can shred your cheese or purchase it already shredded to save you time.
Substitutions and Additions for Spanish Rice
Recipe Tips
Make sure there is enough liquid in the pan so the rice doesn’t stick to the pan. Constantly stirring the large skillet with the ingredients to make sure it is cooked evenly. Do not pre-cook the rice. The rice will cook in the skillet with the liquid and will absorb all the liquid and even the flavors from other ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions for Spanish Rice
Gluten Free Recipe
Guess what? This easy beef and rice meal is completely gluten free! Our mom doesn’t use any extra seasonings besides salt and pepper when she makes this, so you don’t have to worry about any gluten sneaking in there. You don’t need to make any special substitutions or anything. Make it as-is and you are good to go. Even if you make additions like corn, beans, or corn chips, it will STILL be gluten free.
You can add corn, black beans, refried beans, carrots, peas, and/or bell peppers to give it more of a Southwestern flare.You can even add some corn chips to the top to make it like a Southwestern Rice Bowl.If you want less of a Southwestern-y flare, you can swap out the tomatoes and chiles (aka Rotel) for some petite diced tomatoes.Add in chilis, chili powder, or cloves garlic to add more flavoring! Create enchiladas, burritos, tacos, or rice bowls using this Spanish rice as a base. Top this easy Spanish Rice with cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterrey cheese. Use whatever you have on hand!
Easy Rice Recipes to Try
Rice is the perfect side dish to add for any dinner. It is light, fluffy, and so easy to make!
Stovetop Rice Pilaf with Orzo
Lemon Pesto Rice
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
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