Taco Bell used to serve these delicious rice, which they switched to Cilantro Rice, later on. That side rice dish was so delicious, tomatoe-y, gooey with cheese and oh-so comforting. The kids called it Red Rice and when the Taco Bell stopped making it, they were disappointed.
Then we tried some store bought, ready to cook, Ronzoni kinda Cheesy Tomato Spanish Rice. Aa-aa…not even close. You must be thinking that what I am talking about….Taco bell and Ronzoni and that too Sonal? 😮😱..Yes! I like fast food chain and ready to cook meals. I am human too! 😂
The girls were begging me to make some Mexican Food since sometime. We decided to make the past Monday as Mexican Monday. It was delicious. I cooked some of the cheesy tomato Spanish rice and some mock meat (soy granules) burritos. They were super hit. Though the rice was not exactly Mexican but similar route :).
This is how I made these super easy rice. It is a perfect meal for weekday night. Done under 30 minutes. Delicious. Comforting. Best to warm up the chilly fall night!
Cheesy Tomato Spanish Rice
Kitchen Equipments Required
Chopping board, knife, heavy bottom sauce pan with lid, stirring spoon, fork
Ingredients
Rice, long grain – 2 cups
Water – 3&1/2 cups
Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
Bell peppers / Capsicums – 1/2 cup, finely chopped. Prefer multi-colored. But single color would do as well.
Onions – 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Garlic – 1 big pod, chopped fine
Tomatoes – 4 medium, puréed. It will be almost 1&1/2 cups of purée
Oregano, dry – 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
Fancy Paprika – 1 tsp. You may use Kashmiri or Degi Mirch.
Salt to taste
Hot sauce / Tobasco – 1/2 tsp or to taste
Cheddar cheese – 1/4 cup, shredded
Method
- Wash the rice and soak for 7-9 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in the pan. Add onions, bell peppers and garlic to the pan. Lower the heat. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes till it is slightly soft.
- Now add Tomato purée to the pan along with dry oregano, cumin powder, salt and fancy paprika. Give it a good stir. Cover with lid and cook for 5-7 minutes on medium flame.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the sauce pan. Add 3&1/2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil. Reduce the flame to simmer. Cover with lid and cook till all the water is absorbed. It will take 10-12 minutes. Switch off the flame. Let stand for 3-5 minutes.
- Open the lid. Add hot sauce and grated cheddar cheese. Mix it gently with rice with a fork.
- Serve it warm. Make it a complete meal with some tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa.
Another dish from my Indian American Kitchen to yours! Simple recipe, easily available ingredients, no special shopping required and ready in no time!
Enjoy!
Sonal
Elaine @ foodbod
So good, I’ve been using more rice recently 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Yayyy 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Have got some pink Mediterranean tic rto try. Will keep you post on that
Elaine @ foodbod
Sounds interesting…
Gerard Villanueva
Looks vey much like our family Spanish rice Sonal. Nice combo of ingredients. We never thought of putting cheese on it though!
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you Gerard :). That cheese is Taco Bell effect
apsara
Awesome idea. I’m trying this with brown rice!
simplyvegetarian777
That would be fantastic
Malar
Absolutely yummy…
simplyvegetarian777
Swati
Sonal..brilliant Clicks..and i am going to make these super easy Mexican rice this weekend..best part is this recipe so simple and has all accessible ingredients…Loved it!
simplyvegetarian777
Muaah Swati ❤️
I am sure you will love it
Sandhya
Sonal, you had me with cheesy tomato…..love that combination in the rice! Your rice looks very yummy and the Mexican Monday was such a great idea!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Sandhya
Girls loved it ❤️
Loretta
Another great rice dish from your kitchen to mine. FYI, I took your mint and pea pulao recipe across the pond and cooked it for my mom and sisters. They loved it, and have taken the recipe too :). Not sure where I got the recipe for paneer tikka masala, but I served your rice with that and it was such a huge hit! I’m having a rough time getting back to blogging, but I know I need to get motivated and moving soon 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Hugs Loretta :). I am so glad that the family across the ocean loved the pulav! The mint is so magical in it!
Miss your posts too!
Festive season is coming up and it’s the perfect t time to pick back on the blog wagon !❤️❤️
thehealthyfoodblogger
Your rice looks so tasty! Yum!
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you so much