Mexican Rice Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why doesn't my Mexican rice come out fluffy? ›

Top tips for the perfect fluffy (not sticky) rice:

Rinse your rice in cold water before cooking to remove some of the starch. Sauté the uncooked rice in a little olive oil to lightly toast before adding the liquid. Stir frequently to make sure the rice doesn't burn.

If you're a fan of homemade Mexican food, a good Mexican rice recipe is a must. Often referred to as Spanish rice or “arroz rojo,” this classic dish features long-grain rice simmered in a tomato-infused broth, seasoned with onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder — lending it that iconic reddish-orange color.

Spanish rice has a firmer texture and stronger aroma compared to Mexican rice, it gets its sweet yet savory flavor as well as its golden color from saffron. As it is more absorbent, Spanish rice is also better suited for dishes that need to be slow cooked.

Frying the rice before hand makes the whole rice cooking process more forgiving. One can use more water and cook longer without turning the rice into a pasty mess. Also, the technique can assist in making rice more savory. For example sauteing onion or garlic in the oil before adding rice adds flavor.

Mexican rice nutrition facts

In the United States, almost all white rice is fortified with iron, folate, and vitamin B1 (among other nutrients) (2). This is why the nutrition facts panel shows Mexican rice to be a good source of iron, folate, and thiamin.

Did you ever wonder why Mexican rice is a red-orange color? Cumin is the answer. It provides that nutty and spicy taste and is the famous culprit for the red-orange color. Cumin is always an ingredient in this rice.

In Mexico, different regions serve rice in different ways. If you order rice in northern Mexico, you most likely will get the rice cooked with chicken broth and tomato flavors—traditional Mexican (or Spanish) rice. However, in southern Mexico, ​plain white rice is more common.

The dish is most commonly referred to as arroz rojo in Mexico (and the direct translation "red rice" is sometimes used in English).

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck—this is the best substitution for tomato sauce. All you need is the tomato paste and water. Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended. Then, season your "sauce" to taste.

What is the secret to fluffy rice? ›

After a few minutes, uncover the pot and let the rice sit, uncovered, for another minute. This will allow the rice to "dry out" a bit, which prevents it from turning gummy and sticky. Finally, use a fork to gently fluff up the grains, then serve. That's it!

If the heat is too high, the water evaporates before the rice has a chance to fully cook. If you don't add enough water, the rice ends up dry and crunchy. And if you don't cook the rice long enough, it gets soft on the outside but doesn't cook through.

Because you use too much water. The ratio is 2 cups water per 1 cup rice. When you add the water lower the flame to medium and cover the pot. **in case your rice has absorbed an excessive amount of liquid, the grains can also have cut up and the starches may also have given the rice a soft, gluey consistency**.

The rice should be a tiny bit on the dry side (but still soft and fluffy). If your rice is really wet and mushy, you probably added too much water and/or overcooked it.