Italian-style Rice with Tomato and Basil
Italian-style Rice with Tomato and Basil is a vibrant, comforting one-pot dish from Italy, where Arborio rice is slowly simmered with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil until creamy. It's essentially a simplified, tomato-forward risotto that highlights the sweet acidity of tomatoes and the aromatic freshness of basil.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is primarily a source of carbohydrates from the rice, with moderate healthy fats from olive oil and a good dose of vitamins like vitamin C and lycopene from the tomatoes. A typical serving contains roughly 300-400 calories, depending on the amount of oil and cheese used.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin A | 500 IU |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Phosphorus | 80 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it showcases the Italian principle of 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), transforming simple, affordable ingredients into a flavorful meal. Nutritionally, cooking tomatoes with olive oil increases the bioavailability of the antioxidant lycopene, making it a heart-healthy choice.
