One Pot Pizza Rice

I was not, in fact, looking for a new rice dish. I have already so many, I certainly do not need one more.
But, as it happens, because I’m terrible at timely meal-planning, I was attempting to make this chicken for dinner a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t ready on time, or even close to it.
That’s when I remembered a one-pan Spanish rice I made in February that was both delicious and easy to make.
Realizing I had almost all the ingredients on hand, I rustled it up. But since I had Nephew and Niece over for lunch, I made a few tweaks (no spices, marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce, etc.) and what began as Spanish flavored rice ended up looking much more as a tomato rice that smelled like pizza.
So I took it a step further, sprinkled some mozzarella I had in the fridge, dotted with mini-pepperoni slices, five minutes under the broiler and BOOM a delicious One Pot Pizza Rice.
The kids loved it so much they asked for seconds, and thirds. Actually, they polished it ALL off.

In this dish, rice, onion, marinara sauce, olive oil, vegetable broth, and oregano are combined and cooked until the rice is creamy and flavorful, then a quick trip in the oven and you end up with a scrumptious and gooey meal.
I realize you’re all leaving me right now to make it this very moment, I can’t blame you.
At the very least, you need to print or bookmark this recipe for when you’re in a pinch, and seriously, when is anyone not these days?

That should be enough to convince you to make this dish, but there's more. The recipe is so easy, leaves no messy cleanup, and gives you more time to enjoy the evening with your peeps. No fussing at the stove all evening.
It gets better though: there’s only one skillet to wash after the meal has been polished off with record speed.
This is a great gluten-free “pizza in a pinch”; anyone who enjoys pizza will love this. It can be a light dinner or a side to grilled chicken or beef.
Here’s to one pot dishes that make our busy lives just a bit more manageable.
Now go ahead. Grab a fork and take a big bite or ten.
Delicious, right?

One Pot Pizza Rice                                                                                                                                      Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 6

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cups white rice (I used arborio)
2 cups marinara sauce
2 ½ cups vegetable broth (plus more if needed)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Your favorite toppings

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet (or pan) over medium-high heat.
Add onion and sauté for 6 minutes, until translucent.
Add rice and cook, stirring, until it starts to turn translucent but not brown (the rice will start making a clicking sound), about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add marinara sauce and give a good stir. Add vegetable broth and oregano, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring every now and then, until the rice is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
The rice should be tender (but not mushy) and suspended in liquid with consistency of heavy cream. If not, add more vegetable broth (¼ cup at a time) and continue cooking until the rice is tender.
In the meantime, preheat the broiler.
Remove skillet from the heat, sprinkle rice with mozzarella cheese and your favorite toppings, and place under the broiler for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve immediately!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 330 calories, 7 grams of fat, 57 grams of carbs, and 11 grams of protein.