Rice in Tomato Sauce in a Skillet
A tasty and hearty side dish for every day to go with hot meat! Rice in tomato sauce in a skillet is quick and easy to prepare - it takes only about 25 minutes. It can be served as a standalone dish or as a side for chicken, meat, or fish.
Updated : 05 August, 2025
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
1 cup
Rice
2 cup
Water
1
Onion
2 tablespoon
Tomato paste
10 grams
Vegetable oil
to taste
Salt
to taste
Dry spices
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
You can adjust the ingredient amounts slightly to your taste. The key is to keep a 1:2 ratio of rice to water. This ensures the rice cooks through but stays fluffy, not mushy. Parboiled long-grain rice is recommended.
Step 2
Peel the onion and rinse it in cold water. Then chop the onion finely. To avoid eye irritation while chopping, rinse the onion and knife in cold water.
Step 3
Use a deep, convenient skillet for cooking, keeping in mind that rice expands. Heat the skillet and add a little vegetable oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and softened.
Step 4
Add tomato paste to the softened onion and stir well. Cook the mixture for another minute. You can substitute tomato paste with canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, or ketchup.
Step 5
Rinse the rice several times in cold water, then drain using a strainer. Add the rinsed rice to the skillet with the onion.
Step 6
Pour hot water over the rice and stir to evenly distribute the tomato paste. Add salt and spices to taste. Bring everything to a boil. Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is soft. Refer to your rice packaging for exact cooking times.
Step 7
The rice will turn red from the tomato paste, expand, and become tender. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the rice sit covered for a few minutes to steam and settle. This tomato rice makes a great side dish for any meat or fish meal. Enjoy!