I do a lot of complicated things in the kitchen sometimes. This, luckily for you, is NOT one of them. I’d been making homemade Chicken Rice-a-Roni for a while but still needed a substitute for boxed Mexican rice as a side with tacos. I came up with something so delicious and so easy, even kids can make it!
Find this recipe, updated and with even more frugal tips and transformation options, along with 29 other bean recipes and a ton of information on cooking dry beans, the health benefits of beans, and ideas for bean haters in The Everything Beans Book, available now at Kitchen Stewardship®!
*For me, adding chopped onions and peppers keeps it as easy as a box mix because they’re always already prepped in my freezer. I just froze a bunch of farmer’s market peppers for the winter!
Instructions
Here’s the trick to make it really taste like the boxed mix: Saute the rice first either in a dry pan or in a tad bit of butter (or both, one after the other). Keep stirring CONstantly, just like it says on the Rice-a-Roni boxes! You’re shooting for browned, not blackened, of course, so keep a close eye.
THEN add the water, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
This works whether you’re soaking (see below) or not, and totally changes the mouth-feel and taste of the finished dish, definitely for the better.
Bring to a boil and turn heat to low, covered, for 45 minutes (no peeking!).
Add the beans and optional add-ins and simmer 5 more minutes until heated through.
Notes
To soak rice: Follow this method to soak brown rice. Drain the rice, saute dry rice (it will take almost 10 minutes to fully dry out and brown), and add the water and tomato sauce. If a lot of water seems to evaporate hitting the hot pot, add a few extra tablespoons.
White rice works great, you just use the cook time for the rice (usually 15 mins. for short grain and 20 mins. for basmati).
This recipe makes at least twice as much as your basic boxed mix, so be ready for leftovers.
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What in the World is Soaking Grains?
What does the recipe mean when it says “to soak rice?” See this post for a very quick explanation of why soaking grains is a good idea and this one for specifics on soaking rice.
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Katie Kimball, CSME is a trusted educator and author of 8 real food cookbooks. She is passionate about researching natural remedies and making healthy cooking easier for busy families. She’s been featured on media outlets like ABC, NBC and First for Women magazine as well as contributing regularly on the FOX Network.
Over the last 10 years, Katie has spoken prolifically at conferences, online summits and podcasts and become a trusted authority and advocate for children’s health.
Busy moms look to this certified educator for honest, in-depth natural product reviews and thorough research. She often partners with health experts and medical practitioners to deliver the most current information to the Kitchen Stewardship® community.
In 2016 she created the #1 bestselling online kids cooking course, Kids Cook Real Food, helping thousands of families around the world learn to cook.
A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is a Certified Stress Mastery Educator and member of the American Institute of Stress.
How can I use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? Can I use 4 oz. of tomato paste and mix it with 4 oz. of water? Do you know what the ratio might be? Btw…I’ve been going through your website all day and planning my menu and shopping list for the week. Thank you for sharing with us all 🙂
Farhaana, Very cool, hope you enjoy the recipes! For this one, I do think just making sure you have the right total amount of liquid – 8 oz. – will be key in success. Using paste w/some water instead of sauce will probably just result in richer tomato flavor. 🙂 Katie
I made this for the second time tonight. My husband loves the spanish rice, and this was more mexican, so tonight I made it spanish! I used a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (all out of jars 🙁 ) instead of the paste, cut out the beans (we had them on the side) and did the rest as above. My husband said that they were “almost” as good, but I think it’s because I went shy on my seasonings, and next time I will increase that, and they will be perfect. Yay! Thank you so much!
Should the beans be drained and rinsed before adding them to the rice? The chili recipe I use says to drain and rinse the beans before adding them. I always hate to throw out all that good cooking water. It seems like it would have so many nutrients in it, but it would definitely affect the consistency.
Angie, Yes, drained and rinsed! The only way to keep the water for this one is if you could determine a way to cook the beans and then add the rice at just the right amount. That would be a possible way to use the water, but might change the taste. 🙂 Katie
I could actually eat this as is…it looks great. I just asked my husband if he likes mexican rice – he does. So I’m putting it in the to make file.
My mom never made Rice-A-Roni or anything like it…everything was always from scratch. I think the first time I had Rice-A-Roni was when I was in high school at a friends house. 🙂
Sounds and looks wonderful!! I know we will enjoy the homemade mexican rice dish! .-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday… Cupcake Heaven =-.
This looks delicious! I haven’t tried soaking grains before, so that will be a new thing for me too. I just love the info you offer here on your site 🙂 Thanks. .-= Greta´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday =-.
THANK YOU for posting this. We have been gluten-free for 3 months and I have missed Rice-a-Roni mexican rice. This recipe is GF as long as you check the taco seasoning!
Every real food cook needs some basic resources that everyone recognizes.
What in the World is Soaking Grains?
What in the World is Soaking Grains?
Katie Kimball, CSME is a trusted educator and author of 8 real food cookbooks. She is passionate about researching natural remedies and making healthy cooking easier for busy families. She’s been featured on media outlets like ABC, NBC and First for Women magazine as well as contributing regularly on the FOX Network. 
A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is a Certified Stress Mastery Educator and member of the American Institute of Stress.
Lara says
I have a big bag of bulgur wheat I bought and don’t want to waste it. Can this be soaked and used instead of the rice?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Lara,
Worth a shot, although the texture and taste would be different – I bet it would still be good! 🙂 Katie
Farhaana says
How can I use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? Can I use 4 oz. of tomato paste and mix it with 4 oz. of water? Do you know what the ratio might be?
Btw…I’ve been going through your website all day and planning my menu and shopping list for the week. Thank you for sharing with us all 🙂
Katie says
Farhaana,
Very cool, hope you enjoy the recipes! For this one, I do think just making sure you have the right total amount of liquid – 8 oz. – will be key in success. Using paste w/some water instead of sauce will probably just result in richer tomato flavor. 🙂 Katie
brook says
I made this for the second time tonight. My husband loves the spanish rice, and this was more mexican, so tonight I made it spanish! I used a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (all out of jars 🙁 ) instead of the paste, cut out the beans (we had them on the side) and did the rest as above. My husband said that they were “almost” as good, but I think it’s because I went shy on my seasonings, and next time I will increase that, and they will be perfect. Yay! Thank you so much!
Katie says
Brook,
That’s a great variation; thank you for sharing!
🙂 Katie
Angie says
Hi Katie,
Should the beans be drained and rinsed before adding them to the rice? The chili recipe I use says to drain and rinse the beans before adding them. I always hate to throw out all that good cooking water. It seems like it would have so many nutrients in it, but it would definitely affect the consistency.
Thanks!
Angie
Katie says
Angie,
Yes, drained and rinsed! The only way to keep the water for this one is if you could determine a way to cook the beans and then add the rice at just the right amount. That would be a possible way to use the water, but might change the taste.
🙂 Katie
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free says
Was strolling down memory lane and forgot to say thanks for linking to Slightly Indulgent Mondays!
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free says
I could actually eat this as is…it looks great. I just asked my husband if he likes mexican rice – he does. So I’m putting it in the to make file.
My mom never made Rice-A-Roni or anything like it…everything was always from scratch. I think the first time I had Rice-A-Roni was when I was in high school at a friends house. 🙂
Katie says
Amy,
I was excited that I actually had something GF to share with you! 🙂 Katie
Cole says
I love all mexican food and rice is always a wonderful thing!
.-= Cole´s last blog ..Tuesdays At The Table – Cake Pops =-.
[email protected] says
Sounds and looks wonderful!! I know we will enjoy the homemade mexican rice dish!
.-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday… Cupcake Heaven =-.
Greta says
This looks delicious! I haven’t tried soaking grains before, so that will be a new thing for me too. I just love the info you offer here on your site 🙂 Thanks.
.-= Greta´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday =-.
Jendeis says
Katie, this looks so yum!
.-= Jendeis´s last blog ..First Day =-.
Amie says
THANK YOU for posting this. We have been gluten-free for 3 months and I have missed Rice-a-Roni mexican rice. This recipe is GF as long as you check the taco seasoning!
mom2my9 says
This looks excellent! My family loves spanish rice and I can’t wait to try this recipe!