One-Pot Colorful Veggie Rice with Mild Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

A vibrant one-pot rice dish loaded with colorful vegetables and fragrant mild spices, perfect for a wholesome family meal. This Indian-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs basmati rice, carrot, bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 medium, diced bell pepper
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1.5 cups basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear and set aside to drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder to the pot. Stir and cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 diced medium carrot, 1 diced medium bell pepper, and 1/2 cup frozen green peas. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
5. Step 5: Add the drained rice to the pot and stir to coat with oil and spices for 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.