This Mushroom and Spinach Rice recipe will take that plain box of rice in your pantry to the next level. It's full of fragrant flavor and will fit seamlessly into your meal prep routine.
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Who said boxed rice had to be plain?
Tired of making a box of rice with almost no flavor? Need to use up some vegetables before they go bad? You're in luck! This Mushroom and Spinach Rice is going to make you wonder why you settled for a box of plain rice for all these years.
Rice is so easy to dress up, which makes it the most perfect side dish. In this recipe, I used the leftover spinach, mushrooms, and white onion in my refrigerator (along with a few pantry staples) to transform it into a mushroom risotto-type dish. It's filled with such hearty and delicious flavor—you'd never guess it was made with the extra ingredients from my fridge!
You can enjoy this rice dish as a side with your favorite protein or eat it as your meal. Eat it however your body needs to be fueled. It's also great to make for meal prep.
I hope this Mushroom and Spinach Rice recipe can serve as some inspiration to take your plain rice from good to WOWZA. Keep reading for some more ways you can spruce up your boxed rice! 😉
Mushroom and Spinach Rice Ingredients
Vegetable Broth: Boiling rice in a flavored broth adds so much flavor!
Sage: I love the fresh flavor you get from sage. If you don't have sage on hand, you could use rosemary or thyme. They have similar flavor profiles.
Water: We need this to cook the rice in.
Rice: I used a package of Banza Garlic and Olive Oil rice.
Cooking Spray: To help keep our rice from sticking and burning.
Vegetables: I used spinach, mushrooms, and white onion in this rice.
Gouda Cheese: This is one of my go-to cheeses. I love the rich and nutty taste!
Tools you'll need for this rice dish
To make this Mushroom and Spinach Rice dish, you'll need a sauce pan, skillet, cutting board, knife, cheese grater, rubber spatula, and measuring cups and spoons.
How to make Mushroom and Spinach Rice
- Heat a sauce pan to medium heat. Then, pour in vegetable broth, water, rice, and fresh sage. Cook the rice according to the box/bag instructions.
- While rice is cooking, finely dice mushrooms, spinach, and white onion.
- Next, heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, add mushrooms and spinach. Turn to low heat.
- The rice should be done soon. Remove excess liquid. Then, add cooked rice into the skillet and stir with a rubber spatula or mixing spoon.
- Grate gouda cheese over the skillet and stir until melted.
- Serve with favorite protein or just eat it with a fork. It’s AMAZING!
Mushroom and Spinach Rise FAQ
Is this rice recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it's great for meal prep! This rice will hold up well in the fridge for up to five days. Make a batch (or double batch) and throw some cooked protein on top for lunches throughout the week. You could also freeze this in an airtight container or individual servings in Ziploc bags. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy, thaw and put back in the skillet to warm and crisp up a bit.
Can I use regular rice?
For sure! I just enjoy Banza rice because it’s higher in protein and has a bit softer texture than plain rice. It reminds me a bit of risotto. If you use regular rice, follow the recipe the same.
Can I make this rice recipe vegan?
Yes. Just leave out the cheese or use a dairy free alternative. If you decide to leave the cheese out, I would consider adding a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast for those savory umami flavors.
How can I turn this rice into a meal?
Pair it with some grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu. You could even add an egg or two to your skillet for a twist on fried rice!
Customize this rice to your liking!
There are so many ways to spruce up boxed rice! Here are some other ideas to try if you're not feeling the veggies:
- Play around with herbs. You don't have to use sage to take your rice to the next level. Use what you like and what will complement the rest of your meal.
- Top with a sauce. Soy sauce, special sauce, sriracha, salsa...so many options!
- Add protein. You could mix in some black beans or chickpeas, top with an egg, or chop up a chicken breast or some steak.
- Squeeze a lemon or lime. The juice will provide some delicious citrus flavor!
- Sprinkle on some cheese. Cheesy rice = SO YUM!
Other recipes you will love
Mushroom and Spinach Rice Recipe
Equipment
- sauce pan
- skillet
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- cheese grater
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 stalks sage
- 1 cup water
- 1 bag Garlic and Olive Oil Banza rice
- cooking spray
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup mushrooms
- ½ cup white onions
- ½ cup gouda cheese
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pan to medium heat. Then, pour in vegetable broth, water, rice, and fresh sage. Cook the rice according to the box/bag instructions.
- While rice is cooking, finely dice mushrooms, spinach, and white onion.
- Next, heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, add mushrooms and spinach. Turn to low heat.
- The rice should be done soon. Remove excess liquid. Then, add cooked rice into the skillet and stir with a rubber spatula or mixing spoon.
- Grate gouda cheese over the skillet and stir until melted.
- Serve with favorite protein or just eat it with a fork. It’s AMAZING!
Notes
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It's my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Mushroom and Spinach Rice
1 serving: 37 grams Carbs | 4 grams Fat | 14 grams Protein
**Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
