Rice Pilaf with Beans

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this flavorful Rice Pilaf with Beans, a hearty and wholesome one-pot recipe that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying. Featuring long-grain rice toasted to golden perfection, tender diced carrots, and protein-packed beans (choose from kidney, black, or cannellini), this dish boasts bold seasonings like cumin and paprika for a warm, comforting taste. Simmered in rich vegetable broth and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this pilaf offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a go-to for meatless meals that don’t skimp on nutrients or flavor. Ideal for serving as a main dish or a versatile side, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of easy, wholesome, plant-based cooking!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup canned beans (such as kidney, black, or cannellini), drained and rinsed
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the rice and toast it for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the grains are lightly golden.

Step 5

Add the diced carrot, ground cumin, ground paprika, and bay leaf, and stir well to combine.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the salt and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 8

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and gently fold in the beans, being careful not to break the grains of rice.

Step 9

Cover again and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.

Step 10

Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped parsley (if using) and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1119.6 grams (1119.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1004

Total Fat 34.60g	44%
Saturated Fat 5.70g	29%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3894mg	169%
Total Carbohydrate 145.90g	53%
Dietary Fiber 22.10g	79%
Total Sugars 15.40g
Protein 31.50g	63%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 262mg	20%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 2147mg	46%

*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: 30.5%

Protein: 12.3%

Carbs: 57.2%