Easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
Need a fast, family-friendly dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor? This Easy Spanish Rice recipe is a one-pan meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s loaded with tender rice, seasoned ground beef, zucchini, and warm spices for a hearty dish that works any night of the week. You can serve it as a main course or as a side with tacos, enchiladas, or grilled chicken.
This Easy Spanish Rice is a one-pot meal for even your busiest workday dinner. Add zucchini to this Easy Spanish Rice to help you get your five servings of veggies per day. This is also one pot, which makes cleanup a breeze.
What You Need
- Ground Beef: You can substitute ground chicken, turkey, pork or venison.
- Onion: Adds depth and sweetness as it cooks down.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the rice its savory backbone.
- Zucchini: Bulks up the dish with extra veggies and mild flavor.
- Chili Powder: Brings gentle heat and earthy spice.
- Cumin: Warm, nutty seasoning that’s essential in Spanish-style rice.
- Coriander: Bright, citrusy spice that balances the cumin.
- Rice: Use any long-grain rice that you like. Ben’s Original long-grain converted rice is a good choice.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
- Pepper: Adds mild heat and sharpness.
How to Make Easy Spanish Rice
Dice the onions.
Start the onions sautéing in a large skillet with a splash of olive oil.
While the onions sauté, chop the zucchini into medium chunks. Mince the garlic.
Add the ground meat and zucchini to the onions.
Brown the meat until it is nearly cooked through. Add the spices.
Add the crushed tomatoes and rice. Stir to combine.
Cover the skillet with the lid. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. Serve.
Variations for Spanish Rice
- Replace the vegetable. Instead of the zucchini, use frozen peas, corn, or fresh or roasted bell peppers.
- Roast corn cobs and add the roasted corn for a more smoky flavor.
- Add Mexican oregano for a more floral note.
- Replace the ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, or venison instead of ground beef.
- Use chorizo or another spicy sausage for a bolder flavor.
- Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Make it meatless with black beans or pinto beans for protein.
- Swap chipotle powder for the chili powder for a smoky kick.
Toppings
Customize your bowl with any of these toppings for extra flavor and texture.
- Sour Cream
- Hot Sauce
- Salsa
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Chopped Scallions
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Candied Jalapeños
- Sliced Avocado
- Hot Pepper Relish
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime juice
What to do With Leftovers
After leftovers have cooled to room temperature, pack them into airtight storage containers. Consume within 3-4 days.
Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal prep recipe. Freeze in single-serve quantities. Leftovers will freeze for about 6 months.
What to Serve with Spanish Rice
Spanish rice is filling on its own, so lighter sides are the perfect complement.
- Cornbread
- Side salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Guacamole
- Refried Beans
- Tomato Salad
- Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salsa
FAQs
The terms are often used interchangeably in the U.S., but they aren’t identical. Traditional Spanish rice is flavored with saffron, though most American versions (including mine) don’t use it. Instead, my Easy Spanish Rice has more tomato, ground beef, and warm spices like chili powder, making it hearty enough for a meal.
Mexican rice, on the other hand, usually has less tomato and a lighter flavor. My version is made with rice, garlic, onion, peas, and spices like cumin and coriander. The texture is a little softer, and it’s often served as a side dish.
Absolutely, you can make Spanish rice without meat. Add black beans or pinto beans for added protein, and increase the vegetables for added nutrition.
Yes. Spanish rice is a great meal prep recipe. Make a double batch and freeze it in single-serve portions for days when you’re short on time to cook.
It depends on the rice you use. Regular long-grain white rice should be rinsed to remove excess starch so the grains stay fluffy. Converted (parboiled) rice, like Ben’s Original, doesn’t need rinsing because it’s already processed to cook up separate and light.
I hope this Easy Spanish Rice becomes a go-to in your kitchen. It’s quick, filling, and flexible enough to make with whatever you have on hand. Try it with different toppings or sides to keep it fresh, and don’t forget to check out my Mexican Rice for another delicious way to enjoy rice night. This Italian sausage soup with zucchini is another great way to add zucchini to dishes.
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Easy Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- olive oil to coat pan.
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 small zucchini, cut into pieces
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried coriander
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1.5 cup rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in pan. Add onions and soften a few minutes. Add garlic, zucchini and meat and saute until meat is cooked through.
- Add tomatoes, spices and rice. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes, or according to package instructions.
- Serve with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, hot sauce, or my Nuclear Jalapeno Hot Pepper Relish!
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Notes
Nutrition
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Originally Published June 1, 2018. Updated August 31, 2025.
Hello , I always add rice to hot oil first cooking the starch just keep stirring it till rice turns a slight color. then ad other ingredients , Stir to combine. bring to a simmer cover and in 15 t0 18 minutes remove from heat and do not remove lid don’t even peek let set 8 ta 10 minutes remove lid and fluff with a fork ,,,,yahooo no clumps yummy great.
I like sauteing the rice first. too. I do it both ways, depending on what I am making. Thanks for your comment!
This looks like just what I need for dinner tonight! I did have one of those days! Thanks for the inspiration!
Aww, I’m sorry you had a bad day, Peggy! I hope you and your family enjoy it! Thank you!
Yummy!! I love Spanish rice and this looks absolutely fabulous!! And zucchini is a great pairing!!
Thanks so much, Elaine! I really appreciate that!