Creamy Tomato White Bean Rice | Easy One-Pot Meal
This Creamy Tomato White Bean Rice is an easy one-pot meal made with simple pantry staples. Rice, white beans, grated carrots, and tomato paste cook together in one pot before being finished with freshly grated Parmesan for a creamy, savory finish.
The finely grated carrots soften right into the rice and add a subtle sweetness that pairs so well with the tomato. White beans make it hearty and satisfying, while Parmesan brings everything together at the end.
It’s cozy, flavorful, toddler-friendly, and perfect for an easy lunch or dinner when you don’t feel like making anything complicated.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pot: Everything comes together in one pan for easy cleanup.
- Simple ingredients: Made mostly with pantry and fridge staples.
- Veggie-packed: Finely grated carrots soften right into the rice.
- Hearty: White beans add plant-based protein and fiber.
- Toddler-friendly: Mild, cheesy, and slightly sweet from the carrots.
- Easy to customize: Make it even creamier with ricotta or cream cheese if you have some on hand.
Creamy Tomato White Bean Rice | Easy One-Pot Meal
4
servings5
minutes20
minutesIngredients
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½–⅔ cup finely grated carrot
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup white rice, rinsed
2 cups low sodium broth, plus more as needed
1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, as needed
Directions
- Heat the butter or olive oil in a large saucepan or deep skillet over medium to low heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly darker and fragrant.
- Add the rinsed rice, finely grated carrots, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir everything together.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for about 12–15 minutes, or until the rice is almost tender.
- Stir in the drained and rinsed white beans. Cover and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until the rice is tender and the beans are warmed through. Add a small splash of broth or water if the rice needs more liquid.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Cover and let the rice rest for about 5 minutes. Add a splash of warm broth if needed to loosen the consistency.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Notes
- Finely grate the carrots. This helps them cook quickly and blend right into the tomato rice while adding a subtle natural sweetness.
Cook the tomato paste. Let the tomato paste cook for 1–2 minutes before adding the liquid. This helps deepen its flavor and takes away some of the raw tomato taste.
Watch your rice. Different varieties of white rice can require slightly different amounts of liquid and cooking time. Keep a little extra broth nearby and add it as needed.
Add the beans toward the end. Canned white beans are already cooked, so they only need a few minutes to warm through. Adding them later also helps prevent them from becoming too soft.
Want it extra creamy? Stir in a few spoonfuls of ricotta or cream cheese after turning off the heat. This is completely optional—the recipe is made with Parmesan alone.
Adjust the consistency before serving. The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it rests. Add a splash of warm broth if you want a looser, creamier consistency.
Toddler-Friendly Tips
Use low-sodium vegetable broth and no-salt-added white beans when possible, then season the adult portions separately.
Finely grated carrots become very soft as the rice cooks. For younger toddlers, you can also lightly mash some of the white beans before serving if preferred.
Always serve foods in an age-appropriate way based on your child’s eating abilities.
Substitutions & Variations
White beans: Cannellini, great northern, or navy beans all work well.
Extra creamy: Stir in ricotta or cream cheese along with the Parmesan after turning off the heat.
More veggies: Try finely grated zucchini or stir in frozen peas toward the end.
Extra cheesy: Add a little shredded mozzarella or additional Parmesan.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
The rice will thicken considerably once refrigerated. Add a splash of vegetable broth or water before reheating and stir until creamy again.
