Easy Spanish Main Dish

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Cuisine: Spanish

A quick and flavorful Spanish-inspired dish featuring seasoned rice combined with savory ground beef, colorful peppers, and onions, perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

  • 1 pkg. Rice-A-Roni (Spanish rice)
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef or ground sirloin
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 1/2 bell pepper, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Spanish rice as directed on the package.
  2. Brown ground meat with chopped onion and bell pepper.
  3. Add cooked Spanish rice to the meat mixture and simmer about 10 minutes more.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider adding garlic or cumin while browning the meat. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. If you prefer more vegetables, toss in some diced tomatoes or corn to the mix. This dish is quite versatile, and you can experiment with different spices to match your taste. It's also a great way to use up leftover veggies.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Easy Spanish Main Dish with a side of fresh salad or warm tortillas for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Quick Spanish Beef And Rice for a hearty dinner or can be enjoyed on its own. Top with shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Easy Spanish Main Dish contains roughly 402 calories, with 9g protein, 51g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (73% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 540mg per serving (23% of the Daily Value).

402 kcal 20% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 8.7g 17% DV
Total Fat 19g 24% DV
Carbs 50.8g 18% DV
Fiber 3.7g 13% DV
Sugar 8g 16% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 540.3mg 23% DV
Potassium 297.9mg 6% DV
Cholesterol 8.9mg 3% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 79.4mcg 9% DV
Vitamin C 65.7mg 73% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 43.2mg 3% DV
Iron 2.2mg 12% DV

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meat mixture and rice separately, then combine them before serving. This allows the flavors to meld. Just store each component in the fridge and combine when ready to eat. Reheating is easy, and it will taste just as delicious!

Is this dish kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The flavors are mild and appealing to kids. You can adjust the spice level by omitting any hot peppers or spices if preferred. This dish is also customizable, allowing you to add or remove ingredients based on your children's tastes.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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