Spanish Rice Dinner

Thanksgiving 2020. The COVID Thanksgiving. Five at the table this year — Cody video-called in for the toast. The recipe Sunday was Spanish rice dinner — one-pot ground beef, rice, tomatoes, peppers, onion, simmered together. The simple comfort the household wanted.

The recipe is below.

Spanish Rice Dinner

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth (or water)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Brown the meat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Soften the vegetables. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Season and toast. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the uncooked rice and stir to coat it in the seasonings, letting it toast for about 1 minute.
4. Add the liquids. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
5. Simmer covered. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20–22 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Check at 18 minutes and add a splash of water if needed.
6. Rest and serve. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, top with shredded cheddar if using, and serve straight from the pan.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 420 | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Carbs: 44g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 680mg