This Jailhouse Rice comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Honestly, who doesn’t love a meal that requires minimal cleanup and is packed full of flavor?
Ingredient Breakdown
- Leftover Rice: This dish is all about efficiency, and leftover rice is a lifesaver! It gives you a base without having to whip up fresh rice. If you don’t have leftover rice, a quick microwave option works, too.
- Vegetable Oil: A splash of vegetable oil helps sauté the veggies and gives a lovely starting point for flavor.
- Onion: Diced onion brings that familiar comfort-scent to your kitchen as it cooks down to translucence, plus, it adds a great flavor foundation.
- Bell Pepper: Diced bell pepper adds a splash of color and sweetness. Feel free to swap in your favorite peppers, red, green, yellow, or even add in some poblano for a smoky kick!
- Garlic: Minced garlic, you know that smell, right? It fills the kitchen with warmth and is basically medicine for the soul.
- Canned Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes keeps everything moist and creates flavor magic when it mingles with the spices.
- Black Beans: Rinse ‘em well! Black beans add protein and heartiness. They’re great for stretching the meal if you’re feeding a crowd or just two hungry kiddos!
- Corn: Whether you use frozen or canned corn, it adds a sweet crunch and brightens up every single spoonful.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: This is where you can really tailor the flavors. Chicken broth is richer, while vegetable broth keeps it light. Either one works beautifully.
- Seasonings: A couple pinches of salt and pepper, paprika, and cumin come together to create a symphony of flavor. Season to taste, because, let’s face it, we all have different spice preferences!
- Cheddar Cheese: Load it up with shredded cheddar on top! It’s totally optional, but oh, trust me, that gooey goodness makes everything feel like home.
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Jailhouse Rice
Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of vegetable oil over medium heat. You want just enough to coat the bottom of the pan (about a tablespoon should do). Once it shimmers, you’re ready for the next step!
Sauté the Vegetables: Add your diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are softened and the onion is nice and translucent.
Aromatics: Now, stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, just getting to that point where your neighbor might stop by to ask what you’re making!
Add the Good Stuff: Toss in the leftover rice, canned tomatoes, black beans, and corn to the skillet. Stir everything together so the flavors start to meld into a colorful, cozy mixture.
Pour in the Broth: Ready for a little moisture? Pour in your chicken or vegetable broth just until it’s moistened but not swimming, about 1 cup should be right. Stir it well, scraping the yummy bits off the bottom (trust me, that’s flavor gold).
Season It Up: Add a couple pinches of salt and pepper, along with paprika and cumin. You can really go to town here, taste as you go, because what may be perfect for me might need a bit more zing for you!
Heat That Mixture: Cook the rice mixture over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally (around 5-10 minutes). You want the flavors to infuse like a warm hug for those chilly evenings!
Cheesy Goodness: Once everything is aromatic and heated, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and let it melt. This might just be my favorite part… melted cheese everywhere = pure bliss!
Serve It Up!: Serve warm right from the skillet, and brace yourself for compliments! Seriously, this Jailhouse Rice will have you feeling like a rock star chef in no time.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I’m running on empty but still want to serve something that feels comforting and delicious. Plus, it’s such a crowd-pleaser! I’m a real sucker for meals that are flexible and made with what I have on hand. This dish is especially perfect because it doesn’t matter if you have a bit of pepper left over from last week’s taco night or some random veggies in the fridge. You can throw in pretty much anything, spinach, zucchini, you name it! And the best part is, my kids can customize their bowls with toppings, everyone leaves happy!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Greek Lemon Rice, my Japanese Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée, or my Japanese Cucumber Salad! You’ll find even more easy, flavorful meals to keep your busy family satisfied.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This incredible Jailhouse Rice comes together in under 30 minutes! I mean, who doesn’t need a meal like that rush-hour evening? It’s a lifesaver when you’re racing against the clock.
One-Pot Wonder
Talk about minimal cleanup! Everything cooks right in one pan, which means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meal with family. Yes, please!
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients makes this a great way to stretch your dollar. Leftover rice? Check. Canned beans? Absolutely. This dish is a mix-and-match meal that keeps your wallet happy!
Customizable
Feel free to use whatever ingredients you have on hand. I’ve made this with leftover chicken, other veggies, and even different spices. The secret to this recipe is flexibility, just jump into your pantry and go for it!
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor, it’s that kind of dish that wraps around you like a cozy blanket. You’ll want to make it again and again, especially during those colder months when warmth is everything.
Storage and Reheating
How to Serve This Jailhouse Rice
I love serving this with a drizzle of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cilantro on top. It’s also perfect for pairing with a simple salad or some tortilla chips for extra crunch! Trust me, balance is key.
Storage
This Jailhouse Rice keeps well in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days in a sealed container. You’ll want to let it cool completely before popping it into the fridge.
Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat? Use a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You could also microwave it, just don’t forget to add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture!
Freezer Friendly
Yes, you can freeze it! Place any leftovers in a freezer-safe container and it should keep for up to 3 months. Just be sure to defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
And there you have it! A warm, welcoming bowl of Jailhouse Rice just waiting to be edible happiness. I hope you try this dish soon, you and your family absolutely deserve these delicious moments around the dinner table. Enjoy!
Feel free to share your variations in the comments below! What did you add to your Jailhouse Rice? I’d love to hear your stories and tips! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Print
Jailhouse Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy one-pan meal made with leftover rice and a mix of colorful vegetables, beans, and spices, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can black beans, rinsed
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add leftover rice, canned tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Stir to combine.
- Pour in broth, add salt and pepper, paprika, and cumin. Stir well.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until heated through, about 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt.
- Serve warm directly from the skillet.
Notes
Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables or spices. This dish is highly customizable with various toppings such as hot sauce or cilantro.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
