Fast, simple, satisfying, and bursting with flavor!
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For many of us, rice is a common ingredient in the meals we cook ourselves. It’s easy to prepare and usually cost-effective. But if you don’t want rice to get boring, just keep looking for new things to do with it. That’s why this recipe for Spanish rice with ground beef is the perfect meal for most people. It’s not hard to prepare while also combining rice with a slew of other ingredients that add flavor and texture to the dish, so it won’t be boring or just like all of your other rice dishes.
You might be surprised to learn that this Spanish rice can be made with ordinary long-grain white rice. It’s everything else in the recipe that gives it plenty of zing and flavor. There are vegetables like onions, green peppers, tomatoes, as well as spices like chili powder and paprika. Eventually, all of the ingredients get to mingle with one another in the same pot, unleashing a variety of flavors, and creating a well-balanced meal that’s hearty and delicious but doesn’t take an extraordinary amount of effort to prepare.
If you like this rice dish, there are so many others that are worth trying. For example, you can take a look at this Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry. Or you can keep things simple by just making a side of Spanish Rice or perhaps Mexican Rice. Believe it or not, those are two different recipes. Finally, for those vegetarians turned off by the ground beef in our recipe, you can stick with Vegetable Fried Rice.
Is Spanish Rice with Ground Beef Healthy?
With just 365 calories per portion and seven grams of fat, this recipe can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Part of the key is using lean ground beef and low-sodium beef broth to help keep the fat and calories in the dish low. Keep in mind that with so many vegetables included, Spanish rice with ground beef can be a good source of vitamin C, iron, and potassium, among other nutrients. Also, the ground beef in the recipe is a good source of protein, so there is plenty to like about this dish from a nutrition perspective.
Cook to Your Liking…
Other than the rice, there is room to substitute many of the ingredients in this recipe to fit your personal taste. For instance, the ground beef can easily be replaced with ground turkey, ground chicken, or another source of protein. It’s also possible to add multiple types of bell peppers, not just green. The same logic applies to the herbs. If you don’t want the dish to be spicy, you don’t have to add chili powder. Instead, you can replace it with a more mild seasoning. Some folks also like to add black beans to the recipe to give the dish even more protein. Just keep in mind that the more changes you make, the more it’ll change the nutritional profile of the dish.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup white onion, diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
Brown
Cook beef until browned; drain fat.
Sauté
Add vegetables to the beef; cook until softened.
Combine
Mix in rice, tomatoes, sauce, spices, and broth; boil.
Simmer
Cover and cook on low until rice is tender.
Garnish
Fluff rice, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
To store leftovers, allow the rice to cool to room temperature and put it in an airtight container. It will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. Some people choose to use the leftovers as a taco or quesadilla filling.
The best thing you can do is use the proper proportions the recipe gives you for the amount of rice compared to the amount of broth. Also, resist the urge to stir the rice too much when it’s cooking because this can interfere with the rice absorbing liquid.
Serving Suggestions
While hearty enough to be a main course, Spanish rice with ground beef can often be a side dish for another Mexican or Spanish dish. For instance, you can eat it alongside a Homemade Burrito or a Homemade Burrito Bowl. If you’re more of a fan of tacos, try making Tasty Tofu Tacos or Shredded Chicken Tacos with Strawberry Salsa. Also, a good taco salad and your Spanish rice could be the perfect combination. Consider making this Quick and Healthy Taco Salad or perhaps a Taco Mason Jar Salad that’s low-carb and paleo-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 can 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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