Some nights, all you want is a warm bowl of something cozy that doesn’t require a mountain of ingredients—or a mountain of dishes. That’s where Spanish Rice Soup comes in. It’s the kind of recipe that lets you stretch your pantry staples while still putting something hearty on the table. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I make this dish from scratch, why it works for tight grocery weeks, and how it brings back warm memories of my grandma’s cooking, just with fewer pots. If you’re craving something comforting, kid-friendly, and ridiculously easy to prep, this soup might just become your new go-to.
Spanish Rice Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and rice. Toast for about 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir to combine.
- Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in frozen corn and cook for another 5 minutes uncovered.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more broth or water if the soup is too thick.
- Serve hot with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Nutrition
Notes
- Add cooked chicken, canned beans, or diced bell peppers for extra protein and flavor.
- If you use brown rice, increase the cook time by 10–12 minutes.
- Leftovers will thicken; just add more broth or water when reheating.
- Skip cilantro or swap with green onions if preferred.
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Let us know how it was!Table of Contents
Spanish Rice Soup – A Family Favorite
A Childhood Favorite Reimagined
When I was little, my grandmother made a big pot of Spanish rice almost every Sunday. It wasn’t soup exactly, but it had all the right notes—soft rice, stewed tomatoes, warm spices, and that unmistakable smell of something simmering on the stove. Fast forward to today, and I’ve reimagined her classic into a soup that’s just as comforting but even easier to make. Spanish Rice Soup keeps all the cozy goodness while letting you stretch a single cup of rice into a meal for the whole family.
We’ve used this idea in our One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Caramelized Lemon, and it’s the same principle: make simple ingredients shine with smart seasoning and slow simmering. Plus, with broth as a base, you get all the flavor without the extra cost of meat-heavy recipes.
Why Spanish Rice Soup Works for Budget Family Dinners
Let’s talk value. You don’t need anything fancy—just rice, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth. That’s it. The beauty of Spanish Rice Soup is how well it fits into the “clean out the pantry” kind of night. Got some carrots? Toss them in. Leftover rotisserie chicken? It works here too. And the best part? It’s incredibly filling without relying on expensive proteins.
This meal sits comfortably under the budget for our Dinners Under $10 collection, making it a smart pick when you need to stretch the week’s groceries. It’s even better the next day, which means lunch is sorted too.
Flavor Without Fuss
Ingredients That Keep It Simple
You probably already have everything you need in your pantry or freezer. That’s the magic of Spanish Rice Soup—it doesn’t ask for much but delivers big on comfort. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional garnish)
- Lime wedges, for serving (optional)
This basic mix keeps your grocery bill in check and is flexible depending on what you have on hand. You’ll find similar ingredients in our Hearty Cabbage and Rice Soup and even in the comforting Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup.
Cooking Steps Even a Busy Parent Can Handle
This is truly a one-pot wonder. Fewer dishes, more flavor—my favorite kind of meal. Here’s how to make it:
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until soft.
- Stir in the garlic and rice. Let it toast for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent the rice from sticking.
- Stir in frozen corn and simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. If the soup gets too thick, just add a splash more broth or water.
- Serve hot, topped with cilantro or parsley and a squeeze of lime.
You’ll find this as easy as other recipes like our Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake or Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice, both family favorites built for simplicity.
Tips, Swaps & Storage
Easy Substitutions That Still Taste Amazing
Whether you’re short on ingredients or cooking for picky eaters, Spanish Rice Soup is flexible enough to adjust without stress.
Here are a few easy swaps:
| If You Don’t Have… | Use This Instead |
|---|---|
| Chicken broth | Vegetable broth or bouillon + water |
| White rice | Brown rice (add 10 more minutes cooking time) |
| Diced tomatoes | Crushed tomatoes or fresh chopped tomatoes |
| Tomato sauce | Tomato paste + extra broth |
| Cilantro/parsley | Green onion or skip it entirely |
Sometimes I’ll even stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or a can of beans for protein. That’s the beauty of this soup—it’s forgiving and flexible. You can use what you have on hand and still end up with a meal that’s cozy, filling, and completely family-approved.
How to Store and Reheat for Later
One of the best things about Spanish Rice Soup is how well it holds up the next day. The flavors deepen overnight. Just keep in mind that the rice will absorb more liquid, so it thickens a bit like a stew.
Storage Tips:
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Add a splash of broth or water before reheating.
- Freezer: Cool completely before freezing in quart-size freezer bags or containers. Use within 2–3 months.
- Reheating: Warm on the stove over medium heat, or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs About Spanish Rice Soup
What is the difference between Mexican style rice and Spanish rice?
Mexican rice is often cooked with tomato, garlic, and chicken broth, resulting in a moist and fluffy texture with a reddish hue. Spanish rice, while similar, tends to have a firmer bite and may be flavored with saffron or smoked paprika, depending on the recipe. In this soup, we combine the simplicity of Mexican-style ingredients with the heartiness of Spanish rice flavor.
What is a traditional Spanish soup?
Spain has several traditional soups, including gazpacho (a cold tomato-based soup) and caldo gallego (a hearty Galician broth with greens, potatoes, and beans). Our Spanish Rice Soup takes cues from both Spanish and Latin-style comfort dishes, blending warmth and easy-to-source ingredients.
Do I cook rice before adding to soup?
No need. In this recipe, the rice cooks directly in the broth, absorbing all the flavor as it simmers. Just remember to stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. This also saves an extra pot to wash—win-win.
What is the famous Spanish Rice dish called?
The most well-known dish is Paella, a saffron-infused rice dish loaded with seafood, meat, or veggies. While more elaborate, it shares flavor roots with our soup, especially when we use smoked paprika and tomato as the base.
Conclusion
Spanish Rice Soup is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve done something special, without doing much at all. It’s warm, filling, and full of flavor, made from simple pantry staples that you probably already have. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight lifesaver, a cozy lunch, or a way to stretch your grocery budget, this soup delivers every time.
Just like the other reliable dinners in our 30-Minute Dinners collection, this dish proves that easy and affordable meals don’t have to be boring. So grab that soup pot, throw in your staples, and let this Spanish Rice Soup bring comfort to your kitchen.
