One-Pot Cozy Rice & Beans (Budget Comfort Food)

This cozy one-pot rice and beans is the kind of comforting, budget-friendly meal I make on repeat when groceries are expensive but I still want something warm, filling, and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Oil (olive or neutral)

1 Medium Onion, diced

3 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Ground Cumin

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

1/2 tsp Chili Powder (optional)

1 cup Long-Grain White Rice (uncooked)

1-1/2 cups Vegetable Broth

1 (15–16 oz) Can Black Beans, drained & rinsed

1 (15 oz) Can Corn, drained (or 1½ cups Frozen)

1 (8 oz) Can Tomato Sauce or 1 cup Canned Diced Tomatoes

Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Juice of ½ Lime (optional but recommended)

Optional toppings (use what you have):

Cilantro

Green onions

Hot sauce

Vegan cheese or yogurt

This is one of those meals that saves you when you’re tired, hungry, and not in the mood to overthink dinner. Everything cooks in one pot, most of it comes from the pantry, and it makes enough food to last a couple of days. I love recipes like this because they’re forgiving — you can swap the beans, use water instead of broth if needed, or stretch it with extra rice when money’s tight. It’s cozy food that meets you exactly where you are.

Instructions

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1 minute so it absorbs the flavor.

Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce (or tomatoes), black beans, corn, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

Bring to a gentle boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the rice is tender.

Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in lime juice if using.

Spoon into bowls and top with whatever you have on hand.

Total Cost (entire pot): ~$7.25–$8.00

Per Serving (6 servings): ~$1.20–$1.35