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    Home » Recipe Index » Vegetarian Dishes

    Pantry Rice and Bean Soup

    March 6, 2022 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Soup Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    rice and bean soup in bowl

    Throw together this 30 minute rice and bean soup with a handful of pantry ingredients. This soup can be made in one pot, with uncooked rice, salsa, broth, seasonings, and whatever beans and veggies you have.

    tortilla soup with quesadilla on table

    Table of contents

    • How will this dish make your life easier?


    How will this dish make your life easier?

    Hold onto this rice and bean soup recipe for nights when you're feeling hungry, too tired to order or go out, and just want to throw something together but don't have anything planned for dinner. This is the recipe for days like that.

    It tastes like it was planned, but comes together without any planning or forethought. You're welcome.

    Here are a couple other pantry recipes (using pantry ingredients) that you can make without planning ahead: Refried Bean Tacos, Pesto Pasta for One, and Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon.

    What makes this rice and black bean soup so good?

    rice and bean soup ingredients on a tab

    How do I make this simple bean and rice soup?

    chopped bell pepper on a cutting board

    Chop pepper, or other vegetables for your rice and bean soup.

    rice and bell peppers in a pot

    Add chopped pepper, rinsed rice, taco seasoning, salt, and oil to a small pot over medium heat. Cook until peppers are soft, about 5 minutes.

    soup in a pot

    Once peppers are soft, add chicken or vegetable broth, salsa, corn, and tomato paste. Bring to boil, and then reduce heat and cover pot. Simmer about 15-20 minutes, or until rice is cooked.

    soup with corn and beans

    When rice is soft, add beans and corn, cook until warmed, about 3-5 minutes. Add more liquid if needed.

    Topping suggestions for quick rice and bean soup: shredded cheese, pickled or fresh jalapenos, sour cream/plain yogurt dollop, avocado slices, cilantro, etc.

    Serve with a quesadilla or tortilla chips if desired.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • This is a great recipe to use up vegetables in your fridge. Onion, pepper, zucchini, cabbage, diced tomatoes, etc are all good add-ins.
    • You can substitute brown rice for white rice, but it does take longer to cook.
    • DIY taco seasoning by using spices already in your spice stash.
    • You can use cooked rice in this rice and bean soup recipe. Add about ½ the broth and skip simmering the soup for 15-20 minutes.
    • Substitutions: Sub black beans for pinto beans, sub peppers for other vegetables or omit them.

    FAQ

    Is it weird to put rice in soup?

    Rice is a great addition to soup, it adds carbohydrates which help fill you up. Rice in soup can get softer if it's stored, so keep that in mind. This rice and bean soup is a great recipe to try rice in soup.

    Is bean soup healthy for you?

    While all foods can fit into a 'healthy diet' beans are a great food to include. They're a great vegetarian protein source, source of fiber, and are delicious in soups. I definitely recommend beans in lots of dishes!

    rice and bean soup in bowl

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Pepper: Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Jerk Shrimp Pasta, Small Batch Potato Salad
    • Taco Seasoning: Refried Bean Tacos
    • Rice: Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms, Instant Pot Chicken Yellow Rice, and Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice.
    • Beans: Easy Black Bean Pasta, Black Bean and Veggie Quesadilla.
    • Salsa: Chorizo Egg Casserole, Steak Fajitas.


    Did you make this rice and bean soup? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    close up of tortilla soup with cheese
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Pantry Rice and Bean Soup

    Throw together this 30 minute rice and bean soup with a handful of pantry ingredients. This soup can be made in one pot, with uncooked rice, salsa, broth, seasonings, and whatever beans and veggies you have.
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • knife
    • Small Pot with Lid
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • ½ whole bell pepper any color
    • ¼ cup white rice rinsed
    • 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
    • pinch salt
    • 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil like canola oil
    • 1.5-2 cups broth vegetable or chicken
    • ¼ cup salsa
    • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
    • ⅓ can black beans drained
    • ¼ cup corn frozen or canned
    • cayenne pepper optional

    Instructions

    • Dice ½ bell pepper, or other vegetables.
    • Heat small pot over medium heat, add diced bell pepper, ¼ c uncooked white rice, 2 teaspoons taco seasoning, optional cayenne pepper, pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon oil. Cook until peppers become soft, about 5 minutes.
    • Once peppers are soft, add 1 ½-2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, ¼ cup salsa, 2 teaspoons tomato paste to pot. Stir, cover, and reduce heat to low.
    • Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until rice is soft.
    • Add ⅓ can black beans, ¼ cup corn. Stir and cook until warm.
    • Serve with quesadilla or tortilla chips if desired. Topping suggestions in notes section.

    Video

    RICE AND BEAN SOUP

    Notes

    • Substitute bell pepper with other vegetables, like onion, zucchini, cabbage, etc are all good add-ins. Use what you have in the fridge!
    • DIY taco seasoning by using spices already in your spice stash.
    • To use precooked rice: add about ½ the broth and skip simmering the soup for 15-20 minutes.
    • Recipe substitutions: Sub black beans for pinto beans, sub peppers for other vegetables or omit them.
    • Topping suggestions: shredded cheese, pickled or fresh jalapenos, avocado, cilantro slices, etc if desired.


    Want to get more single serving recipes like this rice and bean soup delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.


    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Vegetarian Dishes

    • Coffee Chia Pudding
    • Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake
    • Lentil Spinach Curry for One

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather Johnson says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      this was so yum!!!! i love all the swap ideas too so i can make it again and it'll be like a different soup!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 14, 2022 at 9:59 am

        so glad those are helpful!

        Reply
    2. Shashi at Savory Spin says

      March 10, 2022 at 10:43 pm

      I love soup recipes like this where I can use what I have on hand - so filling too!

      Reply
    3. Tara says

      March 10, 2022 at 11:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is the type of recipe that is a MUST to keep on hand. Filling, warm week night meals that you can make with a few pantry staples - perfect! This might be a new snow day tradition!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 14, 2022 at 9:59 am

        oh totally!

        Reply
    4. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      March 11, 2022 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      That looks so good and different from my regular soups. *adds to list*

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 14, 2022 at 9:58 am

        it's so easy, great to hear!

        Reply
    5. Kris says

      March 11, 2022 at 1:50 am

      5 stars
      So easy and delicious! Will definitely make again. Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        March 14, 2022 at 9:58 am

        great to hear!

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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