Black Beans Rice with Cheese

Give your weeknight dinners a flavorful upgrade with this Black Beans Rice with Cheese recipe! This hearty dish combines fluffy, perfectly seasoned long-grain white rice with tender black beans, aromatic garlic, and a medley of warm spices like cumin and paprika. Topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and vibrant, bold flavors. Ready in just 35 minutes with minimal prep time, it’s a quick and satisfying one-pot wonder that’s perfect as a main course or a side dish. Whether you're feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this cheesy black bean rice is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Stir in the rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes to lightly coat it in the oil.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, and stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.

Step 7

While the rice is cooking, prepare the black beans by draining and rinsing them.

Step 8

After the rice is cooked, gently stir in the black beans. Allow the mixture to warm through for 2-3 minutes.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the rice and beans. Cover the saucepan again for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Step 10

Serve hot and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	897.9 grams (897.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1404

Total Fat 67.40g	86%
Saturated Fat 29.10g	146%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 121mg	40%
Sodium 3104mg	135%
Total Carbohydrate 143.40g	52%
Dietary Fiber 28.90g	103%
Total Sugars 6.10g
Protein 61.20g	122%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1050mg	81%
Iron 12mg	68%
Potassium 1374mg	29%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.6%

Protein: 17.2%

Carbs: 40.3%