This savory Tomato and Rice Recipe is an easy side dish with bold tomato flavor. Made with pantry staples, tomato rice is flavorful, comforting, and ready in minutes.
This cozy tomato rice recipe is simple, flavorful, and made with pantry staples making it the perfect easy side dish for busy nights.
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Easy Tomato Rice
When you're looking for easy dinner ideas, this delicious side dish is sure to please.
Tomato and rice is proof that simple ingredients can create big flavor.
This easy tomato rice combines savory tomatoes, fluffy rice, and aromatic seasonings into a satisfying side dish that will quickly become a go-to in your menu rotation.
This flavorful rice pairs beautifully with everything from roasted chicken to steak and seafood.
I love that this recipe that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, saucy and delicious.
One of the best things about tomato and rice is that it is made with basic pantry ingredients.
With just a handful of ingredients such as canned tomatoes, rice, and broth, you will create a side dish that tastes rich, savory, and so comforting.
The addition of butter, onion, and garlic creates layers of flavor and the Italian seasoning enhances the tomatoes.
So versatile, you can enjoy tomato rice as a simple side dish, transform it into a hearty main meal topped with your favorite sliced protein, or customize it by adding vegetables you love.
Whether you're cooking for your family, or having a dinner party, this quick tomato rice delivers cozy flavor with minimal effort.
Budget-friendly, quick, and delicious, this instant rice tomato recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
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How to make tomato rice with canned tomatoes
This is a quick overview of how to make this rice with tomatoes recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Melt the butter, cook the onion and add the garlic. Stir in broth, diced tomatoes and tomato paste and bring to a boil. Boil for two minutes.
- Step 2: Turn off the heat and stir in the uncooked instant rice. Cover and let stand until the rice is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed. Stir and serve.
Hint: The rice will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits.
Expert recipe tips
- Sauté the onion until soft and translucent before adding the next ingredients.
- Let the rice sit covered for a few minutes after cooking so it absorbs more of the flavorful broth.
- The rice will be tender and a bit saucy. It will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley will brighten the dish and add fresh flavor and a pop of color.
- Add canned black beans, drained and rinsed, for added protein.
- You can add black pepper and kosher salt, at the end of the standing time, if desired.
Substitutions
- Broth – For a vegetarian version, vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth.
- Butter – For a dairy-free version, you can replace the butter with olive oil.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes - I used canned dice tomatoeswith basil, garlic and oregano but you can substitute canned diced tomatoes without flavoring.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes - You can use diced fresh tomatoes in place of canned diced tomatoes.
- Fresh herbs – Stir in chopped fresh basil just before serving to replace Italian seasoning.
- Rice - Long-grain white rice or jasmine rice can replace instant rice. You will need to adjust both the cooking time and the amount of broth as needed.
Variations
- Add vegetables - Stir in peas, fresh corn kernels or canned corn, diced bell peppers, baby spinach or arugula for added nutrition, texture and color.
- Make it spicy - Add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper when cooking the onion for a kick of heat.
- Make it a main dish – You can stir in cooked shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, browned sausage, or chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
- Mediterranean style – Stir in chopped olives and top with crumbled feta cheese, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Cheesy tomato rice – Just before serving, stir in shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese.
- Mexican rice - Replace canned diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings with a can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles and use Mexican oregano in place of dried Italian seasoning. You may need to add some additional broth.
Storage
- Refrigerator - Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer - Leftover tomato rice can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Store the rice in a freezer-safe container or freezer food storage bag for best results. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating - Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop adding additional broth if needed.
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Ingredients
Ingredients for an easy tomato rice recipe
- Butter - Butter adds richness and flavor and helps to sauté the aromatics.
- Onion - Diced onion gives a savory depth and natural sweetness to the recipe.
- Garlic - Garlic adds bold aromatic flavor that enhances the tomato base.
- Dried Italian Seasoning - This herb blend adds layers of flavor with classic Mediterranean herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Tomato Paste - Tomato paste gives the dish concentrated tomato flavor adding richness to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth - Chicken broth infuses the rice adding a savory depth of flavor to both the rice and the sauce.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes - Diced tomatoes add a bright acidity and juicy tomato flavor along with texture and color.
- Instant White Rice - Instant rice cooks quickly and absorbs the flavorful tomato broth beautifully.
- Parsley - Fresh parsley is the finishing touch that adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal flavor.
Easy Side Dish Recipes
What to serve with tomato rice
Tomato and Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups uncooked instant white rice
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
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Instructions
- In a medium saucepot melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add onion and Italian seasoning and cook until the onion is just tender and translucent, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add broth, diced tomatoes and tomato paste; bring to a boil and boil for two minutes.
- Stir in the rice and turn off the heat.
- Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. The rice is a little bit saucy and will keep absorbing the sauce as it sits.
- Fluff with a fork and sprinkle with parsley.
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