By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 8
141 cal · 40 min
Spanish Rice
Recipe GLPRefe1e1a0072913
A classic Spanish rice dish with sautéed vegetables, aromatic spices, and a savory tomato base. This one-pan meal features long-grain rice cooked until tender, infused with the flavors of onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Perfect as a main course or side dish.
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Ingredients
¼ cup Olive oil
2 Onions, finely chopped
2 Green bell peppers, seeded and diced
2 Celery ribs, finely chopped
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 cup Long-grain white rice
8 oz Tomato sauce
2 cups Water
1 teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Black pepper
1 teaspoon Ground cumin (optional)
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions, diced green bell peppers, and chopped celery. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Add the long-grain white rice and stir well to coat the rice with the oil and mix with the vegetables.
Pour in the tomato sauce and water carefully, stirring gently to combine.
Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and cumin if desired.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
Remove from heat when the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Comments
Every ingredient is a standard carry at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, Walmart, and ALDI—nothing forces a second trip. At roughly $0.35 to $0.50 per serving, the cost sits entirely on the rice and tomato sauce, making this genuinely cheap weeknight food. The 40-minute stated time is honest; sauté aromatics and rice together for 3 minutes, add liquid, then simmer 20–25 minutes untouched. This reheats beautifully and feeds a family of eight without fuss or constant attention, though it plays no special role in Charlotte's food culture—it's a generic side dish that works everywhere, not a local strength.
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