Slow-Cooked Tomato and Bell Pepper Jollof Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

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 developed and reviewed.

A vibrant one-pot rice dish simmered with a rich tomato-bell pepper base, infused with smoked paprika and thyme for deep flavor. This West African-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs long-grain parboiled rice, large onion, medium tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 West African cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
1, finely chopped large onion
3, blended into a paste medium tomatoes
1, finely chopped red bell pepper
1, finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp, minced fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1.5 cups chicken stock
1 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
Step 2: Stir in 3 blended tomatoes, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 chopped green bell pepper, and 1 cup tomato paste. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until oil separates from the mixture and the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp minced thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1.5 cups chicken stock, and salt to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Add 2 cups rice, stir well to combine, cover tightly, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Remove bay leaf, stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and let rest covered for 5 minutes before serving.