This delicious, quick and easy one skillet cheesy rice and beans recipe makes a great addition to your weekly sides rotation, or make it a full meal by simply adding beef. Yum!
I've been loving the ease of one pan meals lately and it suits me well since I'm always busy.
I'm also always on the lookout for easier dinner options that are quick to make and yet, still delicious and nourishing. This one skillet cheesy rice and beans recipe is the newest addition to my go-to sides rotation that I know I will be making for my family often.
So if you're also searching for easy dinner recipes, keep reading because this one is a real winner!
My recipe for one skillet cheesy rice and beans is actually a side dish rather than a complete meal. However, there are ways to make it a little more filling. I'll get to that later.
HOW TO MAKE ONE SKILLET CHEESY RICE AND BEANS
First, let me tell you a little bit about this recipe as a true, perfect side dish. The reason I love cheesy rice and beans so much is that it goes well with almost anything. You can serve it alongside any of your main chicken dish like my Cheesy Chicken Salsa Bake, or even with my shrimp and veggie foil packs or with a big plate of enchiladas. Cheese, beans and rice go with just about everything!
To make this easy beans and rice recipe, you will need:
- olive oil
- onion
- bell peppers
- a can of tomatoes
- a can of black beans
- a can of kidney beans
- cooked rice
- enchilada sauce
- shredded cheddar cheese
Any kind of enchilada sauce will work perfectly so pick your favorite. I know I love green enchilada sauce while my husband prefers the red sauce. Both work in this black beans and rice recipe! You can also choose what kind of bell peppers you'd like to use. Red bell peppers tend to be a little spicier than the green or orange. I like to use brown rice for this recipe as it is more nutritious than white rice. Try using boil in a bag rice to cut down on cooking time. You can microwave the rice right in the bag! That makes this recipe even easier…
For supplies, you will need:
- a large skillet (I used a cast iron skillet)
- spatula or wooden spoon
- cheese grater, if your cheese is not already shredded
Once you have your ingredients ready, it is time to cook these simple beans and rice. Sauté the olive oil, onions and bell peppers in a large skillet. Add the tomatoes and beans and then let the mix simmer, cooking off any excess water from the beans. Stir in the cooked rice and your favorite enchilada sauce. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and you are done!
Quite an easy recipe, right? You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. Freeze the beans and rice for up to three months, giving you a quick, premade side dish ready to go anytime the craving for rice and beans hits.
Recipe Notes and FAQ's:
- How do I store leftover rice and beans skillet dinner?
You can store any leftovers in a glass air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm in the oven (300° until heated through) or in the microwave. You could also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. However I would not recommend making this dish ahead of time and freezing, as the beans will become mushy upon reheating. - What prep work is involved before cooking one skillet rice and beans?
First, you need already-cooked rice, so if you have leftover rice to use, this recipe is perfect. If you don't, you'll need to cook rice before you get started with the rest of the recipe. You will also need to chop your vegetables, so they are ready to toss into the skillet, and drain and rinse your canned beans. One good tip: Start the rice, then chop veggies and rinse beans. Then you can begin cooking. By the time you need to add the rice to the skillet, it should be ready. Note this will add about 10 minutes to your preparation time. - What do I serve with cheesy rice and beans?
Rice and Beans Skillet is a one-pot meal! It contains everything you'd want in a complete meal: grains, protein, and a healthy dose of veggies. But some additional condiments make this dish even better. Serve with sour cream, chopped green onion, sliced jalapeno, guacamole, or sliced/diced avocados.
Make it a Full Meal: One Skillet Cheesy Beef, Rice and Beans
I mentioned before that you can turn this easy rice and beans recipe into a full, one skillet meal. To do that, you just need to add a pound of ground beef. Add the olive oil to the skillet along with the beef. Cook the ground beef for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat with a spatula. Once the ground beef begins to brown, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Continue with the recipe, sautéing the onion and peppers in the grease from the beef. When you add the cooked rice into the pan, add the cooked beef back in the pan as well. Tada! A compete one skillet meal that takes no more than 15 minutes to make! One-pan meals really are my favorite.
If you are like me and obsessed with easy, tasty dinner options, then I definitely recommend trying this one skillet cheesy rice and beans recipe. It is such a versatile dish and so tasty that even the pickiest eaters in your family will enjoy it. Get out a big skillet right now and start cooking this recipe. You'll have a delicious side dish done in a matter of minutes and then you can go outside and enjoy the spring weather. That's where I will be -- outside with my family!
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MORE YUMMY SIDE DISHES AND APPETIZERS TO TRY!
ULTIMATE Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs
Easy Pineapple Salsa
Easy and Yummy Sausage Cups
I hope you like this recipe for skillet rice and beans - be sure to give it a review below!
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One Skillet Cheesy Rice and Beans
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (14 ounce) can tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ cups cooked rice
1 (8 ounce) can/package your favorite enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. When warm, add onion and peppers and cook until soft, about 5 - 7 minutes.
- Lower heat to medium, add tomatoes and their juices, and the rinsed beans and continue stirring and cooking until warmed through.
- Stir in cooked rice and enchilada sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top and cover skillet.
- Turn off heat and allow cheese to melt, about 3 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm, with sour cream if desired.
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
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Jane says
This sounds like the perfect meal after a busy day. My family does not care for kidney beans. Can pinto beans be used as a substitute?
Cathy says
What can I use if I don’t have enchilada sauce
Jocelyn Brown says
Hi Cathy, you can try to use taco sauce or salsa sauce instead, although the taste would become a bit milder than if you use enchilada sauce.
Wayne W Walls says
This looks so yummy! Thanks for the idea!
Luna S says
I love that this doesn't make a bunch of dirty dishes and it looks like it would be delicious.
Jess says
Yummy! I love a good one skillet dinner. Can’t wait to try
Briana Baker says
Yummy! My toddler and baby will love this recipe with all that yummy cheese!
Heather Behrends says
I love it! It looks like a perfect recipe to use for meal prepping lunches for the week!
Jasmine Hewitt says
this looks fairly easy to make. i'll have to try it sometime
Ivan M. Jose says
I love the sound of cheesy rice and beans. It's so easy to make and can even be a complete meal.
Emman Damian says
I love One Skillet Cheesy Rice and Beans! It sounds so delicious and tasty. I hope I can try this soon. So good! Yummm
Anosa Malanga says
Can I just say, I crave this right now while reading and browsing the pictures here. I am literally drooling over it and imagining I have some to eat! Definitely trying it out so I can satisfy my cravings.
Farrah Less says
This looks so delicious i love everything that is cheesy. This seems very easy to make , adding it to my menu for next week.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This is making me super hungry! I am going to make this Cheesy Rice and Beans really soon.
Ntensibe Edgar says
Nnniiiiicccceeeeee....I love beans so much and besides, all ingredients are within my grasp. Cool recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Danielle says
This looks so yummy. We’ll definitely be trying here!
Lily says
I love one skillet recipe. I would love to make this soon.
Kita Bryant says
Oh this meal looks so good. It is a stick to your ribs kind of recipe.
Kisha says
My mouth is watering. This dish looks so good right now, I can't even tell you. I am printing this out so I can make it. Thanks so much.
vidya says
we love all these things and I am sure we will love them all together even more..
angela says
omg looks sooo cheeseyyyyy!!i really want to try this recipe! thanks for sharing
Claudia Blanton says
I prefer to use brown rice in my cooking as well - makes a huge difference, when you eat a lot of rice as we do. I love this simple, yet fantastic-sounding recipe will add it to my list for next week - blessings!
Stella says
What a tasty, wholesome dish and not even so hard to make. I am definitely trying this out.
Yudith Napitupulu says
Yummy. I want this recipe. I definitly would love to try this.
Wren says
This looks delicious! I love easy meals I can do all in one skillet!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I love that this can all go into one pan. Great to cut down on the washing. This does sound yummy!!!
Kimmy says
OMG this looks so good
Ryan Escat says
I love that you even put avocado on the side. It makes it look more irresistible.
Nikki Wayne says
I'm definitely gonna enjoy this with rice. Looks so flavorful and satisfying.
Sarah says
This looks amazing and easy to do!
Monica Simpson says
I love how quick, easy and filling this recipe is!
Kathy says
This looks really good. I'm sure my family would love it. I'll have to save this so I can try it later.
Heather says
I love one-skillet meals. I definitely have to make this one for the family.
Marysa says
This sounds so yummy and hearty. I'm sure this would be a hit in my household!
Kuntala says
All of those flavors sound wonderful. I love all the beans and veggies and of course the cheese!
Tasheena says
This looks really flavorful. I can’t wait to give this a try.
Cinny says
That sounds and looks delicious. I have a perfect helper who loves to help me add cheese.
Tara Pittman says
I love how easy this meal is to make. If I leave out the cheese it is a perfect dairy-free meal that I can enjoy.
Ben says
Aww yeah. I need that cheesy deliciousness in my life! That looks seriously amazing.
Jill says
I'm in love with this recipe! It's easy for me to make, and I know everyone in the family will eat it. Perfect!
melissa chapman says
One pot meals are always the best. I will try to make this when i need a new dish in the middle of the week for a change.
Amber Myers says
This looks delicious. I am all about easy meals, so I will have to make this.
Samantha Laycock says
This looks so delicious and a great way to add a meat free meal in.
Brianne says
I'm in loved! My family and I love tex-mex food, and this looks just perfect. I'm going to make this for our next Taco Tuesday.