How To Make Oven-Baked Rice And Beans: Delicious One-Dish Meal✨🍲

🥘 Introduction

Welcome to another flavorful and fuss-free recipe from 9jaKitchen! Today, we’re unlocking the secret to making Oven-Baked Rice and Beans, a cozy and satisfying one-dish meal that brings together fluffy rice, hearty beans, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic spices all baked to perfection. Whether you’re cooking for weeknight dinner, prepping meals for the week, or introducing plant-based dishes to your table, this recipe has everything you need — minimal prep, one-pot convenience, and wholesome comfort in every bite.

We’ll walk you through every step, from ingredients and equipment to expert tips, serving suggestions, nutrient breakdown, and fun variations. Let’s get baking! 🍚🥫

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why Oven-Baked Rice And Beans will become a staple in your kitchen:

• 🍽 Effortless One-Pot Meal — Mix, cover, and let the oven do the work.
• 🥦 Nutritious & Satisfying — High in protein, fiber, and rich flavours.
• 🕒 Perfect for Busy Days — Great as dinner or for meal prep.
• 🔄 Customizable — Add veggies, spice levels, or swap beans to suit your taste.
• 🍛 Family-Friendly Comfort Food — Both kids and adults love it.

🛒 Ingredients Needed

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavorful Oven-Baked Rice and Beans:

• Rice — 1 cup uncooked (white or brown rice). Serves as the hearty base.
• Salsa — 1 ½ cups (mild, medium, or spicy) for rich flavour and tang.
• Vegetable Broth — 1 ½ cups for moist, flavorful cooking (or water).
• Black Beans — 1 (15-oz) can, rinsed and drained — protein and fiber.
• Red Bell Pepper — diced, for sweetness and colour.
• Red Onion — diced for savoury depth.
• Cumin — 1 teaspoon — warm, earthy spice.
• Smoked Paprika — 1 teaspoon — adds smoky complexity.
• Chilli Powder — ½ teaspoon (optional for heat).
• Fresh Spinach or Kale — 2 cups (optional — added nutrition).
• Salt & Pepper — to taste.
• Fresh Cilantro — for garnish.

🍴 Equipment Needed

No fancy tools — here’s what you’ll use to make a perfect Oven-Baked Rice And Beans:

• 🍲 Large Oven-Safe Casserole Dish — For baking the rice and beans together.
• 🥄 Mixing Bowl or Spoon — To combine ingredients evenly.
• 🧑‍🍳 Aluminium Foil or Lid — To cover the dish and trap steam while baking.
• 🔥 Oven — Preheated to 375°F (190°C).

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide — How To Make Oven-Baked Rice And Beans

🔹 Step 1: Preheat And Prep

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

🔹 Step 2: Combine Main Ingredients

• In a large oven-safe dish, add:
  • Uncooked rice
  • Salsa
  • Vegetable broth (or water)
  • Rinsed black beans
  • Diced bell pepper and red onion
  • Cumin, smoked paprika, chilli powder
  • Salt and pepper
• Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly combined.

🔹 Step 3: Add Greens (Optional)

• If using spinach or kale, stir it in now. It will wilt and add colour and nutrients.

🔹 Step 4: Cover And Bake

• Cover the dish tightly with aluminium foil or a lid to keep the steam inside.
• Bake:
  • 45-50 minutes for white rice
  • 55-60 minutes for brown rice — until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

🔹 Step 5: Rest, Fluff, And Serve

• Remove from oven and let stand 5-10 minutes covered to finish steaming.
• Fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Your Oven-Baked Rice and Beans is ready🎉

💡 Tips For A Perfect Result

• 🔥 Don’t Skip Covering — Steam is what cooks the rice evenly and makes it fluffy.
• 🧂 Season Gradually — Start with a small amount of salt and adjust at the end.
• 🥣 Use Flavoured Broth — Vegetable broth adds more flavour than water alone.
• 🥬 Add Greens At The End — If you prefer a firmer vegetable bite, add spinach or kale after baking and let it wilt in the residual heat.
• 🥑 Top It Up — Avocado, lime juice, vegan cheese, or green onions add freshness.
• ❄️ Meal Prep Tip — Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This Oven-Baked Rice and Beans goes wonderfully with:

• 🥑 Sliced avocado or guacamole
• 🍋 Fresh lime wedges
• 🧀 Melted vegan cheese or sour cream
• 🌮 Warm tortilla chips or grilled plantains
• 🥗 A simple side salad for freshness

🔄 Variations You Can Try

Elevate this base recipe with creative twists:

• 🌶 Spicy Kick — Add jalapeños or hot sauce.
• 🫘 Protein Swap — Pinto or kidney beans instead of black beans.
• 🧅 Extra Veggies — Corn, carrots, zucchini, or peas for more texture.
• 🍅 Tomato Base — Add extra tomato sauce or salsa for richer tomato flavour.
• 🧀 Cheesy Bake — Sprinkle plant-based cheese before the last 10 minutes of baking.

📊 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount (Approx.)	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	290	15%
Carbohydrates	55 g	18%
Protein	10 g	20%
Fiber	7 g	28%
Fat	3 g	5%
Sodium	350 mg	15%
Vitamin A	350 IU	7%
Vitamin C	18 mg	20%

Percent Daily Values are approximate and based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

🩺 Health Benefits & Advice

This wholesome, healthy rice bean bake dish is:

• 🍃 High in Fiber — Thanks to beans and rice, which promote digestive health.
• 💪 Protein-Rich — Beans provide plant-based protein for muscle strength.
• 🥕 Loaded with Vitamins — Bell peppers and spinach deliver vitamin C and A.
• 🧘‍♂️ Balanced Meal — Combines carbs, veggies, and protein without heavy fats.

Always adjust seasoning and spice levels to meet your dietary needs, and consult nutrition guidance if you have specific health concerns.

Note: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Is Oven-Baked Rice And Beans?
👉 It’s a one-dish meal where rice and beans are mixed with vegetables, spices, and broth, then baked until tender and flavorful.

Q2. Can I Use Brown Rice Instead Of White For Oven-Baked Rice And Beans?
👉 Yes — brown rice works perfectly but requires about 10-15 minutes extra baking time for tenderness.

Q3. How Long Can Leftovers Last?
👉 Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently.

Q4. Can I Freeze This Dish?
👉 Absolutely! Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe bags and reheat when ready.

Q5. Is This Vegetarian Or Vegan?
👉 Yes — this recipe is fully plant-based and suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets.

🧡 Final Thought

This Oven-Baked Rice And Beans recipe ticks all the boxes: easy to make, incredibly delicious, nutritious, generously customizable, and perfect for both busy weeknights and lazy weekends. Once you try this one-pot comfort meal, it will become a favourite in your recipe rotation.

Happy cooking!🍚✨

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