Rice, canned beans and canned tomatoes might be the most budget-friendly trio in the pantry. Together they make filling, protein-rich dinners for very little, and they keep for months on the shelf.
Here are seven recipes and five no-recipe ideas built on those three staples, with every recipe priced at current Walmart and ALDI prices.
Why Rice, Beans and Tomatoes Work So Well
- They’re cheap. When we checked, a 15-ounce can of black beans was $0.92 at Walmart and $0.85 at ALDI, and a can of diced tomatoes was $0.96 at both.
- They’re filling. Beans add protein and fiber, and rice stretches every pot further.
- They keep. Dry rice and canned goods last for months, so a cheap dinner is always on hand.
- They go with anything. Add taco seasoning, curry powder, Italian herbs or chili powder and the same three ingredients taste completely different.
7 Recipes With Rice, Beans and Tomatoes
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.
They’re listed from least to most expensive per serving.
1. Tomato & Butter Rice
Rice cooked in tomato sauce and broth. Stir in a can of beans to turn the side into dinner.
Time: 30 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $1.49 from Walmart, $1.51 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.37 to $0.38
2. Easy Chickpea Curry
Chickpeas and canned tomatoes simmered with curry powder and served over rice.
Time: 25 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $3.44 from Walmart, $3.50 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.86 to $0.88
3. One-Pot Cheesy Taco Rice
Rice, black beans and diced tomatoes simmer together with ground turkey and taco seasoning, topped with melted cheese.
Time: 30 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $7.38 from Walmart, $7.26 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.21 to $1.23
4. Cozy Lentil & Vegetable Chili
Dried lentils and black beans with crushed tomatoes. Spoon it over rice for a hearty bowl.
Time: 55 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $8.02 from Walmart, $7.53 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.26 to $1.34
5. Hearty Turkey Chili
Kidney and black beans with crushed tomatoes and ground turkey.
Time: 50 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $8.66 from Walmart, $8.78 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.44 to $1.46
6. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Peppers filled with rice, black beans and diced tomatoes. All three staples in one dish.
Time: 55 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $6.48 from Walmart, $6.41 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.60 to $1.62
7. Slow Cooker Chili
Two kinds of beans and two kinds of tomatoes. Serve over rice to feed more people.
Time: 6 hours 10 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $11.12 from Walmart, $10.53 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.76 to $1.85
5 No-Recipe Ideas
- Beans and rice skillet: Warm a can of black beans with a can of diced tomatoes, cumin and garlic powder, then spoon it over rice and top with cheese.
- Tomato rice soup: Simmer a can of crushed tomatoes with broth, a handful of cooked rice and Italian seasoning.
- Burrito bowls: Rice, black beans and salsa or diced tomatoes, with any cheese, corn or lettuce you have.
- Bean and rice burritos: Roll the same filling into flour tortillas and crisp them in a skillet. They freeze well, too.
- Red beans and rice style: Simmer kidney beans with diced tomatoes, onion, paprika and a pinch of cayenne, and serve over rice.
For more pantry dinners, see what to cook when there’s nothing in the fridge and our 15 pantry staples.
Add an Egg
An egg is the easiest way to make rice and beans more filling. At $1.66 a dozen at ALDI (and $1.67 at Walmart), each one adds about 14 cents to a meal.
- Fried egg on top. Spoon rice and beans into a bowl, top with a fried egg and a little salsa or hot sauce.
- Eggs poached in tomatoes. Simmer seasoned canned tomatoes in a skillet, make small wells and crack in eggs. Cover until the whites are set and serve over rice with beans on the side.
- Scrambled into fried rice. Push leftover rice to one side of the pan, scramble an egg or two in the empty space, then stir in beans and a splash of soy sauce.
- Breakfast burritos. Wrap scrambled eggs, beans and a spoonful of rice in a tortilla. They freeze well for busy mornings.
For a full recipe built on eggs and tomatoes, try the tomato spinach egg scramble bowls.
Rice and Beans Questions
Are rice and beans a complete protein?
Together, rice and beans provide all the essential amino acids your body needs, which is one reason the pairing shows up in so many cuisines around the world.
Should I rinse canned beans?
Rinsing removes some of the salty canning liquid and gives a cleaner flavor. The exception is when a recipe uses the liquid on purpose, like some soups and chilis.
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, and they usually cost less per serving. One cup of dried beans makes about the same amount as two cans once soaked and cooked.
How long does cooked rice keep?
Refrigerate cooked rice within 2 hours of cooking, and sooner is better. Use it within 3 to 4 days, or freeze it in portions for longer.
