Oven-Baked Smoky Paprika Rice with Mushrooms, Cabbage & Tomatoes (Vegan Base; Serves 5)
A bold, red-wine-loving roasted vegetable ‘paella’ vibe: saffron-smoked paprika rice (or regular paprika) loaded with mushrooms, cabbage, and tomatoes, finished in the oven for crispy edges. Keep it vegan; offer optional add-ins for omnivores at the table (chorizo/sausage or shrimp if you want), but the dish stands on its own with Cab thanks to smoke and umami.
Back to full listIngredients
- Organic Yellow Peeled Onions 1 large, diced $1.99 each
- Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs 4 cloves, minced $2.79 (3 ct)
- Simple Truth Organic® Whole White Mushrooms 16 oz, sliced $5.00 (16 oz)
- Organic Green Cabbage (or Savoy) 1/2 head, shredded (about 4–5 cups) $2.49/lb (or $3.09/lb)
- Simple Truth Organic® Grape Tomatoes 20 oz (2 packs), halved $3.50 (sale) / 10 oz
- Rice (short grain preferred) 2 cups dry
- Vegetable broth 5 cups (hot if possible)
- Smoked paprika 2 tsp
- Sweet paprika 1 tsp
- Ground cumin 1 tsp
- Olive oil 4 tbsp
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: chickpeas (canned) 1 x 15 oz, drained (adds vegan protein)
- Optional omnivore add-on (served separately): pork sausage links 1 lb, browned separately $3.99 (sale) / 16 oz (ground)
Instructions
- Heat oven: Set oven to 400°F.
- Start base (stove): In an oven-safe wide skillet or Dutch oven, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high. Brown mushrooms with a pinch of salt, 6–8 minutes. Add onion; cook 4 minutes. Add garlic, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, cumin; cook 30 seconds.
- Add rice: Stir in rice; toast 1 minute to coat.
- Add liquids + veg: Stir in hot broth, tomatoes, cabbage, (optional) chickpeas, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer.
- Bake (oven): Cover (lid or tight foil) and bake 18 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–12 minutes more to concentrate flavors and get light browning at edges. If you want extra crisp, broil 1–2 minutes at the end (watch closely).
- Rest + serve: Rest 10 minutes before scooping. Keep the main vegan. If using sausage for omnivores, brown it in a separate pan and serve on the side for topping.
Health notes: Veg-heavy one-pan meal. Rice is the main carb; boost protein with chickpeas if desired. Keep optional meats separate to preserve the vegan portion.
Drink pairing: Mark Ryan Red Mountain Cab/Merlot (especially good with smoked paprika + mushrooms).