Southwestern Dirty Rice (20-minute, 5-ingredient recipe!)

This post is sponsored by Minute Rice. All opinions are my own. #AD #MinuteRicePartner

A few things you probably know about me by now: I LOVE quick, easy shortcut meals, and I LOVE rice. The recipe I’m sharing today combines those two things deliciously! It’s a variation of Cajun ground beef dirty rice that I call Southwestern Dirty Rice. This version uses Minute Spanish Rice Cups, chorizo (instead of ground beef) and a few other budget-friendly ingredients (onions, bell pepper, and diced green chiles). The results are a 5-ingredient, one-pan meal that’s full of flavor AND done in 20 minutes! This is all possible because I’m using my shortcut– perfectly seasoned Minute Spanish Rice Cups. Two cups are prepared in just 90 seconds in the microwave and then I add them to the recipe. Since the cups are already seasoned with tomato, garlic, onion, and other seasonings, you don’t need to add anything else. They’re perfect to keep on hand in your pantry if you’re as busy as we are (especially this busy back-to-school time of year), as they are a versatile base for multiple recipes and meals. Not only Spanish Rice; Minute Rice offers Chicken & Herb, Cilantro & Lime, Jalapeño & Yellow, and more varieties! Shop for them on Instacart now!

What You Need to Make this Minute Rice Recipe

This quick and easy recipe is truly a shortcut meal thanks to Minute Rice Cups. Since they already include garlic and other seasonings, you don’t need to add much else to make this incredibly flavorful meal. While traditional Cajun dirty rice uses the “Holy Trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery, this Southwestern Dirty Rice replaces the celery with diced green chiles for some extra heat. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this Minute Rice recipe:

• 2 Minute Spanish Rice Cups (two Minute Rice Cups can feed a family of four and these add a great Southwestern-style flavor compared to using regular rice)
• 12 ounces chorizo sausage (used in place of ground beef that you’d find in traditional Cajun dirty rice)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced mild green chiles, drained

How to Make this Quick and Easy Recipe for Southwest Dirty Rice

This whole recipe cooks in about 15 minutes after just 5 minutes of prep! Who doesn’t love a quick recipe like that on busy weeknights? To make this recipe, start by adding uncooked chorizo sausage to a deep skillet over medium heat. Break up the sausage to crumble it, and cook it until oil begins to release. 

Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. They will cook with the sausage in the sausage’s oils which will infuse the veggies with that great chorizo flavor. Continue to cook the sausage and vegetables together until the sausage is crumbled and cooked through, and the vegetables are tender.

While the sausage and veggies are cooking, it’s time for the “pop, heat, and enjoy” step! Minute Rice Cups add delicious flavor to your meal in no time at all. To prepare them for this recipe, remove the Minute Spanish Rice Cups from their packaging and remove the top film. Place both cups in the microwave and heat for 90 seconds.

Stir the heated rice and green chiles into the sausage and vegetable mixture.

Remove from heat and serve!

See, this meal is so easy! Here’s the step-by-step Southwestern Dirty Rice recipe. Don’t forget to shop now to stock your pantry with all the delicious varieties of Minute Rice Cups!