Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe is a vibrant, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights or a delightful weekend meal. This recipe transforms humble pantry staples into a flavorful and nutrient-packed explosion, proving that healthy eating can be both simple and exceptionally tasty.
Key Ingredients for Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans (or other white beans like Great Northern), rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice (about 1 cup uncooked rice)
- ½ cup vegetable broth or water
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional, for garnish)
- A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (for serving)
How to Make Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe
This Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe is incredibly easy, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a hearty and satisfying one-pot wonder, bursting with aromatic spices and tender beans. The creamy texture of the beans melds beautifully with the fluffy rice, creating a truly comforting and delicious meal that’s both healthy and budget-friendly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Toast the Spices: Add the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Beans: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices, the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, and the rinsed and drained chickpeas. Stir everything together to combine with the aromatics and spices.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir in the cooked long-grain white rice and the vegetable broth (or water). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly. If it becomes too dry, add a splash more broth or water.
- Season to Perfection: Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it a final stir.
- Serve: Ladle the Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese if desired. A final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely richness.
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe
This Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe is a culinary gem that will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen. Its star feature is the incredibly satisfying combination of fluffy rice and tender, protein-packed beans, all infused with warm, aromatic Mediterranean spices that create a depth of flavor that’s truly comforting. It’s a fantastic and cost-effective alternative to pricier meals, proving that wholesome, delicious food doesn’t have to break the bank.
The vibrant spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric, alongside the richness of the tomatoes and the optional tang of feta, elevate this dish from simple to sensational. It’s reminiscent of a hearty Spanish rice and bean dish but with a distinctly brighter, herbaceous Mediterranean flair. So, ditch the takeout menus and embrace the simple joy of creating this incredibly flavorful and healthy meal at home!
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked rice and beans to cool completely. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: The best method for reheating is on the stovetop. Transfer the leftovers to a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth (about 1-2 tablespoons) to prevent drying out and stir gently until heated through. This helps to restore its original creamy consistency.
- Microwave: You can also reheat in the microwave. Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot. You may still want to add a tiny bit of liquid to keep it moist.
- Freezing: For longer storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop or microwave method.
Final Thoughts
The Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe offers a flavorful, healthy, and budget-friendly meal that’s incredibly easy to make. Give it a try tonight and discover a new favorite!
Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large onion
- Add the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.2-3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices, the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, and the rinsed and drained chickpeas. Stir everything together to combine with the aromatics and spices.1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas
- Stir in the cooked long-grain white rice and the vegetable broth (or water). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.2 cups cooked long-grain white rice, ½ cup vegetable broth or water
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly. If it becomes too dry, add a splash more broth or water.
- Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it a final stir.salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Ladle the Delicious Mediterranean Rice And Beans Recipe into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese if desired. A final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely richness.fresh parsley or cilantro, lemon wedges, crumbled feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil