Hey there, foodies! If you love bold flavors, cheesy goodness, and super easy meals that require little washing up, then this Easy Peasy Cheesy Chipotle Rice is about to become your new favorite dish. It’s packed with protein, flavor, and a kick of chipotle heat, all mixed into perfectly fluffy rice and topped with melty cheese. Plus, it’s customizable! You can easily swap out beef for meat-free mince if you’re going for a plant-based meal. I’ve made this dish multiple times, and I promise, once you try it, you’ll want to add it to your regular recipe rotation!
Method
Prepare Your Veggies
Start by chopping the red onion, peppers, and garlic. These will form the base of your flavor-packed sauce. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and spray it with some frylight (or use a little olive oil if you prefer for a richer taste). Once the pan is hot, toss in the chopped onion and peppers along with the garlic and chipotle paste. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are soft and the chipotle paste releases its smoky aroma. This is where the dish starts to get that irresistible fragrance, so keep stirring to prevent any burning!
Cook the Beef
Once the veggies are softened and fragrant, it’s time to add the beef mince (or meat-free mince if you’re going for a vegetarian version). Add the mince to the pan and break it up using a wooden spoon. Cook the beef for about 8-10 minutes until it’s nicely browned and fully cooked through. If you’re using meat-free mince, follow the same steps and cook it until it’s heated and mixed well with the veggies. It’s important that the meat or substitute is cooked properly at this stage to ensure a delicious and flavorful base for the dish.
Add the Tomato Base
After the beef is cooked, it’s time to stir in the tomato purée, beef stock (dissolved in 200ml of water), and the passata. Mix it all together and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich, savory sauce that will coat the rice beautifully. Don’t rush this part it’s all about the deep flavor you’ll get from the tomato base combined with the smoky chipotle.
Season the Dish
To really elevate the flavor, add the cumin and oregano to the pan. These spices bring an extra depth to the dish, enhancing the richness of the tomato and the heat from the chipotle. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Let the dish simmer for another 2-3 minutes so the seasonings can infuse into the sauce.
Add the Rice
Next, it’s time to add the microwaveable Mexican rice. Open the packets and toss the rice into the pan, mixing it thoroughly with the tomato mixture. Make sure the rice is well coated in the sauce, absorbing all the rich flavors. Continue to stir for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the rice to heat through and soak up the delicious juices from the pan.
Top with Cheese
Now comes the best part cheese! Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and reduced-fat cheddar evenly over the top of the rice mixture. Once the cheese is spread out, place the pan under the grill (or in the oven) for a few minutes. Watch closely as the cheese melts and becomes beautifully bubbly and golden. This step brings everything together, adding that gooey, melty goodness that makes this dish so irresistible.
Serve
After the cheese has melted to perfection, remove the pan from the grill or oven. Give everything a quick stir to mix the cheese into the rice, then serve hot. This dish is perfect on its own or can be topped with extra toppings like a dollop of Greek-style yogurt, slices of creamy avocado, extra cheese, or a squeeze of fresh lime for a zesty kick. Pair it with a side salad or your favorite greens for a well-rounded meal.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Wooden spoon
- Grater (for the cheese)
- Microwave-safe bowl (for the rice)
- Grill (or oven to melt the cheese)
- Knife and chopping board
Easy Peasy Cheesy Chipotle Rice Recipe
Cuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 red onion
1 pepper (I used half red, half yellow)
1 tsp garlic
1 heaped tsp chipotle paste
1 tbsp tomato purée
500g 5% fat beef mince (or meat-free mince)
1 beef stock cube with 200ml water
100g passata
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 packets of microwaveable Mexican rice (I used Tesco wholegrain spicy Mexican-inspired rice)
50g grated mozzarella
30g 50% reduced fat cheddar
Directions
- Prepare your veggies Start by chopping the red onion, peppers, and garlic. Heat up a frying pan and spray it with some frylight (or use a little olive oil if you prefer). Add the onion, peppers, garlic, and chipotle paste, and cook until the veggies are soft and the chipotle paste is fragrant.
- Cook the beef Add the beef mince to the pan and cook it until it’s browned and fully cooked through. If you’re using meat-free mince, this step is still the same! You want it to be nice and cooked before proceeding.
- Add the tomato base Stir in the tomato purée, beef stock (with the 200ml of water), and passata. Let it all simmer together for a few minutes to get the flavors blending.
- Season Sprinkle in the cumin and oregano. These spices give it that extra depth of flavor, so don’t skip this step!
- Add the rice Toss in the microwaveable Mexican rice (or any type you prefer). Stir it all together to make sure the rice is well coated in that delicious sauce.
- Top with cheese Sprinkle the mozzarella and reduced-fat cheddar cheese on top. Pop it under the grill for a few minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Once the cheese is melted, take it out of the grill, give it a quick stir, and you’re ready to serve!
Notes
- Watch the rice When adding the rice, make sure it’s properly heated through and mixed in with the sauce before you top it with cheese. Otherwise, some parts of the rice might not soak up all that flavor.
- Grill carefully Keep an eye on the cheese when it’s under the grill. It melts quickly, so don’t step away for too long or you might end up with some crispy cheese instead of gooey goodness!
- Customize the heat If you’re not a fan of too much spice, you can adjust the chipotle paste to your liking or even leave it out for a milder dish.
Serving Suggestions
I love to top my Easy Peasy Cheesy Chipotle Rice with a few extra goodies for some extra flavor and texture. Here’s what I recommend
- A dollop of Greek-style yogurt (trust me, it works perfectly with the spiciness!)
- Sliced avocado for that creamy, buttery touch
- Extra cheese (if you’re a true cheese lover like me)
- A squeeze of lime for a fresh, zesty kick
Fun Fact
Did you know that chipotle is actually a smoked jalapeño pepper? The drying and smoking process gives it that distinct smoky flavor that adds depth to so many dishes, including this one!
Conclusion
This Easy Peasy Cheesy Chipotle Rice is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick, flavorful, and filling. It’s packed with protein, and the chipotle paste gives it that perfect smoky heat. Plus, it’s super easy to make and clean up afterward! Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking to meal prep for the week, this dish is sure to become a regular in your kitchen. Enjoy!
