Hey, food lovers! If you’re all about big, bold flavors with minimal cleanup, this Smoky BBQ Cheesy Bacon One-Pot Rice is your new best friend! The smoky BBQ seasoning, crispy bacon, and melty cheese come together to create the most delicious rice dish you’ve ever tasted. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, which means less time scrubbing pots and more time enjoying your meal. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Method
1. Fry the Bacon
Start by heating the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon medallions and fry them for about 10 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown. Once crispy, remove a few pieces and set them aside for topping the dish later. Continue cooking the bacon in the pan until it releases all its delicious fat and becomes nice and crisp.
2. Cook the Onion
After removing the bacon, add the finely chopped onion to the same pan, and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal here is to soften the onion without burning it. Once the onion turns translucent and soft, it will be ready for the next step. The bacon fat from earlier adds extra flavor to the onion, making it even tastier!
3.Add Liquid Ingredients
Now it’s time to stir in the liquid ingredients. Add the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar to the pan with the softened onions. Mix everything together to ensure the onions are well coated with the sauce. Let this mixture cook for a minute or two, giving the flavors time to meld together.
4. Mix in the Rice
Next, stir in the smoky BBQ rice packet (no need to microwave it beforehand!) along with 100ml of water. The rice will soak up the flavor from the bacon and the sauce, making it rich and savory. Add half of the mixed cheese to the pan and stir it through, ensuring the cheese melts into the rice, creating that creamy, gooey texture. After mixing, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the rice, and get ready to melt it into the dish.
5. Melt the Cheese
To help the cheese melt evenly and create that perfect, bubbly, cheesy top, cover the pan with a lid or some foil. Allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the rice is heated through. The result will be a cheesy, smoky, and irresistible dish that’s ready to be served!
6.Serve and Garnish
Once the cheese is melted and everything is perfectly combined, it’s time to serve up your Smoky BBQ Cheesy Bacon One-Pot Rice! Spoon the rice onto plates, and top with the crispy bacon bits you set aside earlier. For an extra burst of freshness and color, garnish with some finely chopped spring onions and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This will elevate the flavor and make the dish look even more appetizing!
Necessary Tools
- 1 large frying pan
- 1 spatula or wooden spoon
- 1 lid or some foil
- Chopping board and knife
Smoky BBQ Cheesy Bacon One Pot Rice A Flavor Combo You Won’t Forget!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1/2 tbsp olive oil
240g bacon medallions, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp tomato purée
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
BBQ seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp oregano, salt + pepper
100ml water
1 x 220g packet of smoky BBQ rice (I used @ukbensoriginal)
40g mixed grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, and Red Leicester)
Directions
- Fry the Bacon Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the chopped bacon medallions for about 10 minutes until crispy. Once crispy, set aside a few pieces to top the dish later.
- Cook the Onion Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Liquid Ingredients Stir in the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Mix well to coat the onion and bacon.
- Mix in the Rice Stir in the smoky BBQ rice packet (no need to microwave it first) along with 100ml of water and half of the mixed cheese. Give it a good stir, then top it off with the remaining cheese.
- Melt the Cheese Cover the pan with a lid or some foil and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish Once melted, serve the rice up and top with the crispy bacon bits you set aside earlier. Add some fresh parsley and chopped spring onion for a burst of freshness.
Notes
- When frying the bacon, make sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. The goal is crispy bacon, not burnt bits.
- Be careful not to stir the rice too much once the cheese is added, as you want to keep that melt-in-your-mouth texture without it becoming clumpy.
- If the rice seems too dry, feel free to add a bit more water to loosen it up.
Serving Suggestions
This Smoky BBQ Cheesy Bacon One-Pot Rice is great on its own, but you can pair it with a side of crispy vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try serving it alongside some grilled chicken or beef for an added protein boost!
Fun Fact
Did you know that BBQ is short for “barbecue,” which originated as a way of cooking meat on a raised platform over an open flame? It’s no surprise this flavor combo is a crowd favorite!
Conclusion
This Smoky BBQ Cheesy Bacon One-Pot Rice is perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors and easy cleanup. It’s packed with all the goodness you crave crispy bacon, melty cheese, and smoky BBQ goodness all in one dish. Serve it up for a quick dinner, and enjoy every bite!
