I love trying new recipes (bet you had no idea, right?) and I especially love recipes that take a little more time and effort and end up amazing. It just makes me feel so accomplished and proud of myself plus I love to devour the food. But, I’m also realistic and I know that I would be totally burned out if every single recipe was a large list of totally from scratch ingredients. So, one day we were chatting about what to have for dinner and I mentioned that burritos and Spanish rice sounded good since we rarely have those (this recipe is so delicious but definitely takes more time), but that I had like zero desire to cook and Cade was headed off to a bunch of meetings so we needed something quick. I looked in the pantry and BAM!
I saw the Old El Paso sauce packet and I crossed my fingers then proceeded to try out a quick and easy 3 ingredient spanish rice. And dudes, it totally worked.
We had a really yummy dinner and then once the girls were in bed I enjoyed a little Austenland while editing photos. Oh. My. Gosh. Have you seen that movie? I died laughing!! It actually ends up kinda cute, but I was totally cracking up throughout the whole movie. Oh man, “In the evenings I stick my face in the fire” ” People who hang themselves, they feel different in the morning. And then it’s too late. So feel better!” Oh golly, it’s strangely ridiculous and wonderful all wrapped into one.
Don’t go rent the movie expecting Pride and Prejudice. At times I was embarrassed for the characters, but it was totally worth it. Right?! I feel like I’m talking to space which I guess I am in a way, but tell me that someone else has seen this and for some strange reason kind of liked it!!
What Is Spanish Rice?
Spanish Rice is a Mexican side dish.
It is made from white rice, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and other spices.
The ingredients are then sautéd in a skillet with oil or fat until it is colored golden brown.
What Kind of Rice Is Healthiest?
Varieties of brown rice are the healthiest.
Brown rice still contains germ and bran layers, which provide a range of important nutrients including B vitamins, bone-building phosphorus, and magnesium.
What Could You Substitute For Rice?
Quinoa is the go-to substitute for rice.
Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein, and contains nine essential amino acids, vitamins B and E, and many other nutrients including potassium and calcium.
Quick and Easy 3 Ingredient Spanish Rice
Quick and Easy 3 Ingredient Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 Cups Water
- 1 Old El Paso Sauce Packet, We like chiptole
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, leave out if you use any flavor other than chipotle
- 1 1/2 Cup Rice
Instructions
- Stir together the water, sauce packet and brown sugar.1 Old El Paso Sauce Packet, 2 1/4 Cups Water, 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- Add the rice to a sauce pan or rice cooker.1 1/2 Cup Rice
- Add the sauce mixture and heat to a boil then turn down to a simmer and cover with a lid.
- Allow to cook for 20 minutes, fluff then serve, or use the instructions on the rice cooker.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Cafe Rio Copycat-Cilantro Lime Rice
Peggy
I realize I’m a little late finding this recipe 😉 but Old El Paso of course doesn’t have the sauce anymore and neither does Kroger. I did find a bottle of Taco Bell Creamy Chipotle Sauce, Ortega Medium Chipotle Sauce and Kroger Creamy Agave and Chipotle Taco Sauce. Would any of these work and how much would I use? Thank you for any suggestions. The rice looks delicious!
Sweet Basil
Hi Peggy! I have not ever tried any of those items, but they sound like they are definitely worth a shot! I’d probably try the Ortega one first. Just based on the titles, this one sounds the best. When I hear creamy, I automatically assume some cream or other dairy product has probably been added, and that wouldn’t hold up well with this recipe. I’m afraid it would separate. If you end up trying one of them, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Corie
Forget the pop ups and blather just give us a how to vid or recipe
Una
Omg I am obsessed with Austenland! It’s hilarious LOL and I never meet anyone who’s watched it!
Sweet Basil
It is funny every single time!!
Elisna
I can’t find this sauce. Did they quit making it? I couldn’t even find it on El Paso website.
Sweet Basil
Oh no!! They must have. I’ve seen others made by Kroger, do you have a Kroger store?
Elisna
Yes, I do. I will go there next time I am out shopping. Thanks! Is it just Kroger brand cooking sauce?
Sweet Basil
Yes and it has great flavor. 🙂
Kristi
Have you ever made this for a large crowd? Just wondering how it would work. I am cooking for a large crowd (100 people) and would like to use this recipe.
Sweet Basil
Hi Kristi,
I haven’t made it for that big of a crowd, but I imagine you could just borrow a few slow cookers and make a few batches all at once.
Randi
Enjoyed reading your recipe. I wanted to try something new with white rice myself and decided to get a sauce (fajita flavored) to put in my rice for some zesty flavor. I served the rice with chopped up chicken breast with parsley on top. DELICIOUS MEAL
Sweet Basil
Thanks Randi! That sounds delicious!
Sherry
Randi, what brand was the fajita flavored sauce you used in your rice?
Jason
What sauce is it you use? The only packet I found was an 8oz liquid pouch. It seems like too much liquid for the amount of rice.
Sweet Basil
Hi Jason, I just added a photo for you. You can do any flavor you like but this is what the packet looks like. The sauce is thick and for 1 1/2 cups of rice you would normally want 3 cups of water so the amount is right. 🙂 You can always cut the sauce down if you want.
Bill
Does the fact that you add brown sugar give this any sort of a sweet taste? Could it be done without brown sugar?
Sweet Basil
It doesn’t, but it helps to break up the flavor of the sauce which is slightly too harsh without the brown sugar. At least for my family, but you could always see what you think.
Mandy
Thanks for the recipe and I just watched Austenland a few weeks ago. LOVED IT!!! So unexpected and funny. The song at the piano?!…….had me dying!!! I am quoting it all the time!
Sweet Basil
Lol!!! Totally unexpected! I can’t wait to see it again.
Liz
Love the recipe! I found it on Pinterest. I do have a couple questions though. Is this white or brown rice and can I use the minute rice. You say let the rice sit for 20 minutes and idk if that would work for a minute rice.
Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Hi Liz! It’s just regular white rice. Unfortunately minute rice wouldn’t work right. 🙁
Momma
I used instant rice successfully with delicious results 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
This looks delicious! My mom used to make spanish rice all the time. She would put cut up hot dogs in it – which I wasn’t the biggest fan of haha. Need to try this one now. Pinning!
Sweet Basil
lol!! Kind of like the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese we had. As if it somehow made it a well balanced meal 😉
Gaby
Love simple fixes like this!
Megan Brown
This sounds amazing!!We eat way too much Mexican food!Would this work if I make my own taco mix?
Sweet Basil
Lol, same here. It never really gets old to me either. So, the sauce packet is literally a sauce in a pouch, not the taco seasoning so probably buy the Old El Paso stuff. 🙂
Momma
I successfully used the powdered mix with instant rice, I would try a batch and see! 🙂
Sweet Basil
Awesome!
Sherry
Momma, what powdered mix did you use and how did you cook the minute rice with it? I’m asking for clarification like did you mix powder with the water and then cooked the minute rice in that flavored water or did you just sprinkle it on the minute rice after cooking or what?? I want to try to make it this evening or tomorrow…Thanks
Brittany Pollock
This looks so easy and delish! I totally thought the same thing about austenland, my sister was rolling her eyes and thought it was so dumb (she’s 16) but I loved the quirky cute storyline! Plus anything Austen is amazing so I was bound to like it!
Sweet Basil
Totally agree!
Sonja Pederson
Yummy! Sure love recipes that isn’t time-consuming anymore:):)
Sweet Basil
Me too, and our other recipe really does take a while but it’s awesome.
Amanda
I love spanish rice. This looks yummy!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
Always love three ingredient meals! Now I need to check out Austenland too.
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
I am sold on 3 ingredients! This looks amazing.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I always loved spanish rice as a kid but haven’t had it in years! No time like the present to change that. I love this!