One-Pot Cheesy Mexican Rice and Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A hearty one-pot meal with fluffy rice, black beans, and melted cheese infused with classic Mexican spices. This Mexican-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian option), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs long grain white rice, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder, cooking for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup long grain white rice to the pot and stir to coat the rice with the spices and oil for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, and 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover again for 5 minutes to allow cheese to melt.
  7. Step 7: Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

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