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With this economy, elaborate meals with fancy ingredients aren’t always in my budget. I am also super busy with the kids and sometimes can’t always make it to the supermarket every week. So I like to have a few budget meals and/or pantry meals ready for busy days, times when money is tight, or just because it’s nice to have an easy quick stand by meal.
So, the rest of this week, I am highlighting a few of my family’s favorite budget meals. What kind of budget meals does your family like? Do you have any pantry meals that you keep on hand?
I love using my DIY Taco Seasoning in this easy side dish. It’s the perfect addition to burrito night!
Taco Rice
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups water
2 tsps of a taco seasoning packet (or 2 tsps homemade taco seasoning)
1 can Rotel (tomatoes and green chiles)
1 small onion, finely chopped
tortillas, shredded cheese, sour cream, black beans
Combine rice, water, taco seasoning, Rotel, and onion in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to med-low. Continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes, until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
Stir in a can of drained black beans, if desired. Serve with tortillas, cheese, and sour cream.
This sounds so good but I have food sensitivity to tomatoes–can you suggest a substitute–would green taco sauce work?
Also can this be cooked in rice cooker or Instant Pot? If so..can I just hit white rice setting on rice cooker?
How long in instant pot? Should I add spices after rice is cooked?
Thanks so much!
Hi Cathy, you could just add a can of green chiles instead of the rotel. I make this in my rice cooker all the time and it works great. Just add everything at the beginning and cook like you normally would. Same for the IP. Enjoy. w-
We had this for dinner tonight and it was yummy! I loved it in a tortilla with sour cream and cheddar cheese. It would be great with some chicken added or even as a side. I’ll be making this again.
Hello there.. Found you via blog hop, officially following you and can’t wait to indulge in more of your posts.. Hope you can stop by sometime..I’m Mar from http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/ . TY
Newest follower from blog hop! I am looking for other bloggers to contribute a recipe to my “quick recipe of the week” series! I would love to feature you and your blog!!
Please check out my blog and follow back! If you are interested in being a guest blogger, please contact me through my blog! Thanks so much! ♥
http://greatexpectations-kyna.blogspot.com/
This looks delicious!! I’m a brand new follower from the Time 4 Mommy Hop.
Tomorrow we have a recipe hop. You should check back and join in.
Mandie
http://time4mommy.com
Even if I was a millionaire, this sounds perfect.
I just tried a new Spanish Rice recipe over the weekend that would be perfect served this way!
I’ll be trying your taco rice the next time we’re in the mood for a Mexican night! Sounds yummy! And I always have those ingredients on hand!
Thanks for sharing!
This wold make a great side dish to any Mexican meal….off to check out your Cheesy Spanish Rice. Sounds yummy!
We’ve been buying the mexican rice, becuase it cooks in 1 minute and I dont know how to make it, but this recipe looks just like it!! Thank you! Now we can save money and make it ourselves.
We dont really have pantry meals, our go-to option in a pinch is always breakfast for dinner, or grilled cheese!
Jessica…pantry meals are my best friend! You have to come up with a few! We do a lot of breakfast for dinner too!