This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
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.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Cafe Rio Copycat-Cilantro Lime Rice
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!
Hi Liz! It’s just regular white rice. Unfortunately minute rice wouldn’t work right. 🙁
I used instant rice successfully with delicious results 🙂
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!
lol!! Kind of like the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese we had. As if it somehow made it a well balanced meal 😉
Love simple fixes like this!
This sounds amazing!!We eat way too much Mexican food!Would this work if I make my own taco mix?
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. 🙂
I successfully used the powdered mix with instant rice, I would try a batch and see! 🙂
Awesome!
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
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!
Totally agree!
Yummy! Sure love recipes that isn’t time-consuming anymore:):)
Me too, and our other recipe really does take a while but it’s awesome.
I love spanish rice. This looks yummy!
Always love three ingredient meals! Now I need to check out Austenland too.
I am sold on 3 ingredients! This looks amazing.
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!