Arroz Nelba Recipe: Spanish Rice with Bacon and Egg 2026

Arroz nelba is one of those wonderfully unfussy dishes that delivers far more flavor than its short ingredient list suggests. Loose, fluffy basmati rice meets sweet sautéed onion and carrot, salty crispy bacon, and soft scrambled egg, all tossed together in one pan. It works just as well as a side dish next to roasted chicken or grilled fish as it does as a light main course on its own.

It is also a favorite among Thermomix users, since the machine lets you cook the rice, chop the vegetables, and scramble the eggs in a single bowl with very little cleanup. If you do not own one, there is no need to worry: the traditional stovetop method below produces exactly the same delicious result, using nothing more than a pot and a frying pan.

Everything comes together in about 35 minutes, and most of that time is hands-off while the rice boils. The dish is generous enough to serve four as a side, and it reheats beautifully the next day, which makes it a handy option for meal prep. Below you will find both the Thermomix and the classic stovetop instructions side by side.

Ingredients for Arroz Nelba

This makes 4 servings as a side dish or light main course.

• 1.2 liters of water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 garlic cloves
• 300 g of basmati rice
• 120 g of bacon, cut into strips
• 1 onion, cut into pieces
• 1 large carrot, cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil (plus 1 extra tablespoon for the non-Thermomix version)
• 3 eggs
• Ground black pepper

How to Make Arroz Nelba Step by Step

1. Cook the rice

Place 1.2 liters of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 garlic cloves in the Thermomix bowl. Rinse 300 g of basmati rice in the basket until the water runs clear, then add it to the bowl. Cook for 20 minutes at 100 °C on speed 4, then set the rice aside in a large bowl.

2. Cook the rice without a Thermomix

If you do not have a Thermomix, boil the rice in water with the salt and garlic for 10 to 12 minutes, following the package instructions, until it is loose and perfectly cooked. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the bacon

While the rice cooks, place 3 sheets of paper towel on a plate and lay 120 g of bacon strips on top, without piling them up.

4. Cook the bacon in the microwave

Cover the bacon with another 3 sheets of paper towel and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes at maximum power. Depending on your microwave, you may need more or less time, so after the first 3 minutes check the result and continue cooking in 1-minute intervals until the bacon is crispy.

5. Chop the crispy bacon

Remove the bacon from the microwave, making sure it is crispy, and chop it in the Thermomix bowl for 2 seconds on speed 4. Remove and set aside.

6. Chop the bacon without a Thermomix

If you are not using a Thermomix, simply chop the bacon with a knife or in a food processor for the same amount of time.

7. Chop the onion and carrot

Place 1 onion, cut into pieces, and 1 large carrot, cut into pieces, in the Thermomix bowl and chop for 4 seconds on speed 5.

8. Chop the vegetables without a Thermomix

Without a Thermomix, cut the onion and carrot into small dice using a knife or a food processor.

9. Sauté the vegetables

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the chopped onion and carrot. Sauté for 8 minutes at 120 °C on speed 1.

10. Sauté the vegetables without a Thermomix

For the stovetop version, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide frying pan. Sauté the onion and carrot over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until tender, then set aside.

11. Scramble the eggs

Crack 3 eggs into the Thermomix bowl, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for about 3 minutes at 100 °C on reverse speed 1, watching closely so they stay creamy.

12. Scramble the eggs without a Thermomix

Without a Thermomix, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a small non-stick pan, pour in the eggs beaten with salt and pepper, and stir gently until you get a juicy scramble. Set aside.

13. Combine everything

To finish, mix the rice with the sautéed vegetables, the bacon, and the scrambled eggs, then adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

14. Serve the arroz nelba

Serve the arroz nelba freshly made, while the rice is still warm and the bacon is crisp.

Tips for the Best Arroz Nelba

Rinse the rice well

Rinsing the basmati rice until the water runs clear removes excess surface starch, which is the key to getting separate, fluffy grains instead of a sticky clump. This step matters whether you cook the rice in the Thermomix basket or in a regular pot.

Watch the bacon closely

Microwave power varies a lot from kitchen to kitchen, so always check the bacon after the first 3 minutes and continue in 1-minute bursts. It goes from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly, and you want it deeply golden but not dark.

Keep the eggs creamy

Pull the eggs off the heat while they still look slightly underdone, as they will keep cooking from residual heat. Soft, creamy curds fold into the rice far better than dry, rubbery ones and give the dish its signature texture.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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