Pantry staples like rice and beans are perfect for crafting a nourishing and flavorful dinner. Whether you opt for a can of hearty black beans or use crisp green beans, fiber-rich legumes always pair well with rice. Try dishes like our Puerto Rican-inspired Arroz con Habichuelas Guisadas or our cozy Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta for a comforting dish that starts with two simple ingredients.
Chicken Fajita Rice Bake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Juicy chicken thighs mingle with a pantry-friendly mix of beans, tomatoes with green chiles and quick-cooking brown rice. A generous layer of melty cheese ties it all together. It’s a weeknight-friendly recipe that also doubles as a crowd-pleaser—you’ll want to keep this one on repeat.
Arroz con Habichuelas Guisadas
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Arroz con Habichuelas Guisadas is a classic Puerto Rican dish celebrated for its rich, comforting flavors. The beans are stewed in an aromatic broth that gets its flavor from recaito and herbs like culantro and cilantro. Served over tender white rice, it’s a hearty and warming meal.
Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This cozy casserole combines tender spinach, chickpeas and brown rice with a touch of cream cheese and tangy feta. Fresh dill, nutmeg and lemon juice brighten the flavors, while a hint of red pepper adds gentle heat. Baked until bubbling and topped with lemon zest, it’s a comforting and vibrant dish.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These delicious stuffed peppers are an easy anti-inflammatory meal, thanks to the combination of sweet potatoes, black beans and bell peppers, which are all packed with antioxidants. This vegetarian dish calls for microwaveable brown rice for ease, but you can also use leftover brown rice if you have it on hand.
Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
In this stir-fry-inspired dish, rice and veggies are baked on a hot sheet pan alongside green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze.
Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This cauliflower grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy.
Orange-Ginger Chicken Bowls
Jacob Fox
Orange zest and ginger combine to bring fresh and bright flavors to these hearty bowls. Crisp green beans add welcome earthiness to the juicy chicken thighs and fluffy rice.
One-Pot Potato Curry
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
This potato curry takes inspiration from both north and south Indian dishes, blending the aromatic spices common in the north, with the coconut milk giving a nod to thoran in the south. The simplicity of cooking everything in one pot adds to its appeal, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully for a truly comforting meal.
Cheesy White Bean & Rice Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This cheesy skillet is the ultimate one-pan wonder. The rice forms a crispy golden layer at the bottom, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. Aromatic seasonings combine with tender white beans, while a blanket of melted provolone on top brings on ooey-gooey perfection.
Slow-Cooker Cauliflower & Chickpea Tikka Masala
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This slow-cooker tikka masala is an ideal set-and-forget option for anyone craving veggies and warm, cozy spices. A combination of garam masala, curry powder and cumin adds to the complex flavor.
Jackfruit Barbacoa Burrito Bowls
Jackfruit, a tropical fruit with a dense, chewy texture, is a blank canvas that takes on flavors well. In these vegan burrito bowls, the jackfruit is simmered in a warm and spicy chile sauce that’s so good you’ll never know you’re eating a plant-based protein instead of pork or beef.
Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls
Jacob Fox
Leftover chicken tinga, high-fiber pinto beans and vibrant bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish the bowl with your favorite toppings, such as avocado and lime wedges.
One-Pot Beans & Rice with Corn & Salsa
This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl–especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.
Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry
To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less, and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.
Bean & Veggie Taco Bowl
Simple brown rice and black beans serve as the backdrop for sautéed veggies and taco toppings!
Red Beans and Rice with Chicken
Fiber-rich red beans, whole-grain brown rice and skillet-cooked chicken breast are ready in just 20 minutes.
Meal-Prep Cilantro-Lime Chicken Bowls
Prep all four servings of this easy recipe at once for ready-to-eat dinners or packable lunches for the rest of the week. If you don’t like a lot of heat, try using mild chili powder, and leave out the jalapeño from the rice.
