This spinach and rice recipe is easy, healthy and makes the most wonderful side dish for roasted or grilled meat. But if you’re not a fan of meat, this is a great plant-based main dish as well. It’s gluten-free, ready in about 20 minutes and you can cook it all in just one pan with simple seasonal ingredients.
This simple recipe for spinach and rice is something I used to eat a lot during my childhood. Especially during spring when spinach and scallions are in season. My family used to enjoy this rice dish mostly during the Orthodox Easter time. It’s a typical meal in Bulgaria, Greece and I guess many other Balkan countries. We usually served it as is, with a fresh lettuce salad or on special occasions – with roasted lamb.
But we did make the rice and spinach a bit differently – no chickpeas and no cauliflower. My grandparents didn’t have any chickpeas or cauliflower in their garden, so I guess that’s the reason why. They kept it simple.
The Inspo For This Recipe
Now coming back to today, the one thing I absolutely LOVE to do is leafing through cookbooks. I just love it. And I must admit, I’m kinda like a child here. I never read the ingredients list or the recipe for that matter. What I do is look at the pictures and point and say – I’ll make this next.
And of course – never do. But I did get inspiration for this spinach and rice variation from the looks of a recipe in this wonderful cookbook that I’ve had for probably 10 years.
Now, I guess what I’m saying is, there are two, no three, things that inspired the making of this simple rice dish:
- the family favorite recipe for spinach and rice
- the picture I saw in the cookbook
- the seasonal vegetables I had in my kitchen.
Whatever it was, I’m happy for the inspiration, because this turned out SO delicious. You just have to make it if you have some rice and lots of spinach to use!
Spinach And Rice Ingredients
Spinach. Fresh spinach, so much of it! We all know spinach is healthy, but it can also be absolutely delicious. This tasty recipe is just one example.
Rice. White rice, preferably risotto or arborio rice. Although most types of rice will work here, the results will still differ if you use long-grain rice. Another great grain you can use for this recipe if you don’t like rice is bulgur.
Cauliflower. Now, because I’m trying to make things healthier, more low-carb and nutrient-dense I thinly chopped some cauliflower and threw it into this dish as well. This is not how the traditional recipe goes, but it was lovely. If you do have cauliflower and want to get your family to eat more vegetables – throw it in there. You never notice it, because it pretty much absorbs all the other flavors.
Chickpeas. Canned chickpeas add a bit more protein and substance to this spinach and rice recipe! They tasted absolutely amazing here.
Scallions and garlic. This is a must! These two are what basically gives flavor to this simple dish. If you do have green garlic – you can use two in the recipe.
Spices and herbs. I did have some fresh bay leaves and these are optional – if you don’t like bay leaves, leave them out. Other than that you’ll need black pepper kernels, fresh and dried mint and chili flakes or crushed red pepper.
Olive oil and salt. We’re not adding any other sources of fat or saltiness, so we need these two ingredients to make the recipe complete.
How To Make Spinach And Rice
Now I think I spoke enough about how good this spinach and rice recipe tastes. So you’ll absolutely love that. But the other thing you’ll love is the fact that you can make it in one pan and in under 30 minutes. Best of all – you don’t need to do much once you’ve prepared all the ingredients. Simply throw everything into a large pan, cover it and let it cook itself! It’s one of the best simple dinner recipes ever! Here’s the step by step.
- Wash the spinach, cauliflower, scallions, mint and the rice. Peel garlic and rinse and drain the chickpeas.
- Mince the garlic, thinly chop the cauliflower and scallions. You can also cut the spinach if you like – I rarely do.
- Add everything to a pan.
- Cover with water, add a few good pinches of salt (or use stock instead of water). Give the ingredients a good stir and place them on the stove.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for around 15 minutes or until rice is tender and the water has evaporated.
- In the last few minutes, you can add another clove of minced garlic if you’d like a more intense garlic flavor. If needed add some more stock or water and salt to taste.
- Serve immediately and garnish with some chili flakes!
What To Serve This Rice And Spinach Recipe With
If you want to keep it plant-based, you can definitely enjoy this rice recipe on its own. That’s what I did and it was SO good.
For a more intense flavor, I recommend serving the rice with some yogurt and garlic sauce. It will just take the entire thing over the top. To make the yogurt garlic sauce, simply mix 1/2 cup of yogurt with a good pinch of salt, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Serve along with the spinach and rice and you’ll be SO happy!
Other than these two options, the rice and spinach recipe is the perfect partner for:
- roasted lamb
- grilled meat or fish
- meatballs
Plate that with some salad and the yogurt garlic sauce and you’ve got yourself the most satisfying and healthy dinner ever!
More Easy Rice Recipes
I really hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe variation for rice and spinach and if you have more rice to use up – check out these other dishes as well:
Spinach And Rice (Easy Recipe)
This spinach and rice recipe is easy, healthy and makes the most wonderful side dish for roasted meat or even a plant-based main dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 scallions
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1/2 cup rice
- 1 cup thinly chopped cauliflower
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 1 tsp Whole black pepper kernels
- 1 tsp mint, dried
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 spears mint, fresh
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups water or stock
- Salt (in the beginning)
Instructions
- Wash the spinach, cauliflower, scallions, mint and the rice. Peel garlic and rinse and drain the chickpeas.
- Mince the garlic, thinly chop the cauliflower and scallions. You can also cut the spinach if you like – I rarely do.
- Add everything to a pan.
- Cover with water, add a few good pinches of salt (or use stock instead of water). Give the ingredients a good stir and place them on the stove.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for around 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has evaporated.
- In the last few minutes, you can add another clove of minced garlic if you’d like a more intense garlic flavor. If needed add some more stock or water and salt to taste.
- Serve immediately and garnish with some chili flakes!
- You can also serve the spinach and rice dish with yogurt garlic sauce (simply mix 1/2 cup yogurt with 2 minced garlic cloves and salt).
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 213Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 2mgSodium 335mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 10gSugar 9gProtein 12g
