Tomato Rice Skillet Dinner

Featured in: One-Pot Recipes

This comforting one-pan dish features tender long-grain rice simmered with juicy diced tomatoes, sautéed onions, and a hint of garlic. Cooked gently in vegetable broth, the flavors meld together beautifully while oregano and black pepper add a subtle aromatic touch. The skillet meal is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Finished with fresh parsley, it offers a satisfying and wholesome option for vegetarians and vegans looking for a nourishing, gluten-free main.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:42:00 GMT
Steaming Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, a colorful one-pan meal with fresh parsley garnish. Pin
Steaming Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, a colorful one-pan meal with fresh parsley garnish. | forkandbloom.com

A simple, comforting one-pan meal of tender rice simmered with juicy tomatoes, onion, and a hint of garlic—perfect for busy weeknights.

I first made this tomato-rice skillet dinner on a hectic weeknight when I needed something wholesome yet quick. The delicious aroma of simmering onion and garlic filled my kitchen and immediately made everything feel cozier.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion: Finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic: Minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz/400 g): With juices
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (200 g): Rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water (480 ml):
  • 1 tsp salt: Or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper:
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (optional):
  • Fresh parsley (optional): For garnish

Instructions

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Prepare aromatics:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
Cook garlic:
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add and toast rice:
Stir in the rice and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, until the edges become slightly translucent.
Combine ingredients:
Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir well to combine.
Simmer:
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Rest and serve:
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
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Prep ingredients, rinse produce, and dry dishes efficiently with a built-in workstation designed for streamlined cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Prep ingredients, rinse produce, and dry dishes efficiently with a built-in workstation designed for streamlined cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Hearty Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner with fluffy rice, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings, ready to serve warm. Pin
Hearty Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner with fluffy rice, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings, ready to serve warm. | forkandbloom.com
Hearty Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner with fluffy rice, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings, ready to serve warm. Pin
Hearty Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner with fluffy rice, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings, ready to serve warm. | forkandbloom.com

Sharing this dish with my family always brings us together around the dinner table for laughter and good conversation. It is a meal that everyone requests again and again.

Required Tools

Large skillet with lid, chefs knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories: 210, Total Fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 40 g, Protein: 4 g

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a simple green salad or pair with crusty bread for a heartier meal

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Rinse vegetables, wash cookware, and fill pots easily while cooking with flexible spray control.
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Product image
Rinse vegetables, wash cookware, and fill pots easily while cooking with flexible spray control.
Check price on Amazon
A comforting close-up showing the finished Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, perfect for a quick, vegetarian dinner. Pin
A comforting close-up showing the finished Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, perfect for a quick, vegetarian dinner. | forkandbloom.com
A comforting close-up showing the finished Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, perfect for a quick, vegetarian dinner. Pin
A comforting close-up showing the finished Tomato-Rice Skillet Dinner, perfect for a quick, vegetarian dinner. | forkandbloom.com

This tomato-rice skillet makes cleanup easy and always satisfies. Enjoy the simplicity and comfort of this tasty dish!

Recipe Q&A

Can I substitute brown rice for white rice?

Yes, you can use brown rice; just increase the simmering time by 10–15 minutes and add extra broth as needed to ensure it cooks through.

How can I add protein to this dish?

Stir in canned beans or cooked chickpeas along with the tomatoes for a boost of protein without altering the cooking time significantly.

Is it possible to make this dish spicy?

Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes during cooking can give the dish a pleasant spicy kick without overpowering the other flavors.

What are some suitable garnishes for this skillet meal?

Fresh parsley adds a bright finish, and you might also consider a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of olive oil for extra depth.

Can I use water instead of vegetable broth?

Yes, water works fine, but using vegetable broth will enhance the overall flavor and richness of the dish.

Tomato Rice Skillet Dinner

A simple one-pan meal of rice, tomatoes, onion, and garlic simmered to tender perfection.

Prep duration
10 min
Cooking duration
30 min
Complete duration
40 min

Category One-Pot Recipes

Skill level Easy

Origin American

Yield 4 Portions

Dietary specifications Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free

Components

Vegetables

01 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

Grains

01 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

Liquids

01 2 cups vegetable broth or water

Seasonings

01 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
02 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
03 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Optional

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Step 01

Sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 02

Add garlic: Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 03

Toast rice: Stir in rinsed rice and toast for 1 to 2 minutes until the edges turn slightly translucent.

Step 04

Combine liquids and seasonings: Add diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Step 05

Simmer rice: Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 06

Rest and fluff: Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Step 07

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Necessary tools

  • Large skillet with lid
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains no major allergens; verify prepared broth labels for gluten or other allergens.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Carbs: 40 g
  • Protein: 4 g