Tomato and butter rice is plain rice with a lot more going on. The rice is toasted in butter, then simmered in tomato sauce and broth until it’s tender, savory and a deep orange-red.
It’s made entirely from pantry staples, and all of them are inexpensive. If you keep rice, a can of tomato sauce and broth or bouillon on hand, you can make this any night without a trip to the store.
Serve it next to Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts, Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs or beans, or top a bowl with an Easy Fried Egg and call it dinner.
Ingredients and Swaps
- Rice: Long-grain white rice cooks up fluffy and separate. Jasmine and basmati work the same way.
- Tomato sauce: Plain canned tomato sauce, not pasta sauce. An 8-ounce can is exactly 1 cup.
- Broth: Chicken or vegetable. Water plus a bouillon cube is the cheapest route and works just as well.
- Butter: It gives the rice its rich flavor. Olive oil makes a dairy-free version.
Tips for Fluffy Tomato Rice
- Toast the rice. Stirring the dry rice in butter for a minute adds a nutty flavor and helps the grains stay separate.
- Keep it low and covered. Once it boils, turn the heat down as far as it goes and leave the lid on.
- Rest before fluffing. Five minutes off the heat lets the steam finish the job. Then fluff with a fork, not a spoon.
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
Cost: Ingredients – $1.49 from Walmart, $1.51 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.37 to $0.38
Tomato & Butter Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the grains in butter.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15–18 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Notes
- Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or dried oregano with the salt.
- Stir in frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Top with a fried egg for a quick, filling meal.
Ways to Change It Up
- Stir in ½ cup of frozen peas or corn for the last 5 minutes.
- Add ½ teaspoon of dried oregano or basil, or a pinch of cumin and chili powder for a Spanish rice feel.
- Stir in a drained can of black beans to turn it into a meatless main.
Storage and Reheating
- Cool the rice quickly and refrigerate within an hour of cooking. It keeps for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water or broth, covered, until steaming hot.
- Freeze in flat freezer bags for up to 2 months.
More budget dinners: 10 Cheap Meals for Two and 10 Cheap Meals for 4 Under $10.
Tomato and Butter Rice Questions
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, with changes. Increase the broth to 2 cups and simmer for 40–45 minutes.
Why is my rice mushy?
Usually it’s too much liquid or too much stirring. Measure carefully and leave the rice alone once the lid is on.
