Nutrition Diet: Decoding What are the ingredients in Old El Paso cheesy Mexican rice?

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to General Mills, the parent company of Old El Paso, many of their products are designed for convenient, family-friendly meals. To understand how a convenience product fits into a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to ask what are the ingredients in Old El Paso cheesy Mexican rice?

Quick Summary

An analysis of the ingredients in Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice reveals it contains enriched parboiled rice, various dried vegetables and cheeses, several additives like maltodextrin and silicon dioxide, and high levels of sodium. This overview contrasts its convenience with its nutritional profile, focusing on potential health impacts and discussing options for making a homemade, more nutritious version.

Key Points

Ingredient Breakdown: Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice is made primarily of enriched parboiled rice, dried ricotta cheese, dried vegetables, maltodextrin, and various flavor enhancers.
High Sodium Content: The boxed mix is high in sodium, with a single prepared serving containing a significant portion of the recommended daily intake.
Processed Additives: Contains processed ingredients like maltodextrin, corn starch, and artificial flavors, which are common in convenience foods but offer little nutritional value.
Not for All Diets: The product is not suitable for people with milk or soy allergies, and its high sodium content is a concern for those with high blood pressure.
Healthier Homemade Options: A healthier, more nutritious alternative can be made from scratch using whole ingredients, offering more fiber, lower sodium, and no artificial flavors.
Weigh Convenience vs. Nutrition: The main benefit of the boxed mix is convenience, but this comes at the expense of nutritional quality compared to a homemade version.

Deconstructing the Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice Ingredients

A close look at the nutrition label reveals a list of components that contribute to the quick-cooking, flavorful result. The ingredients can be broken down into primary food items and flavor-enhancing additives.

Primary Food Components

Enriched Parboiled Rice: The main component, this rice has been partially cooked in its husk and then had vitamins and minerals added back after processing. Enrichment means that nutrients lost during milling are replaced to some degree, but it is not as nutrient-dense as whole-grain brown rice.
Dried Vegetables and Cheese: The cheesy, Mexican flavor comes from a combination of dehydrated ricotta cheese (made from whey and milkfat), dried onion, dried tomato, and dried red and green bell peppers.
Vegetable Oil: A blend of canola, high oleic soybean, and/or sunflower oil is used to provide texture and flavor.
Chicken Broth: Dried chicken broth is included to enhance the savory, umami flavor profile of the mix.

Additives and Flavor Enhancers

Maltodextrin and Corn Starch: These are common food thickeners, fillers, and texturizers derived from corn. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that can cause a spike in blood sugar, similar to sugar.
Yeast Extract: Used as a flavor enhancer, yeast extract can contain naturally occurring glutamates, providing a savory taste similar to MSG.
Natural and Artificial Flavor: This broad category covers a range of chemical compounds used to create the specific cheesy and savory taste of the product.
Silicon Dioxide: This anti-caking agent prevents the powdery ingredients from clumping together, ensuring the mix is free-flowing and easy to use.
Spices and Rice Flour: The mix includes various spices, including chili pepper, and rice flour, which may be used as a thickener or filler.
Pea Protein Isolate: This is added as a source of plant-based protein.

Nutritional Breakdown and Health Considerations

The ingredient list provides clues about the product's nutritional pros and cons. A closer look at the nutritional panel (note that figures may vary slightly depending on region) shows where this convenient side dish may fall short.

The High Sodium Concern

One of the most significant nutritional takeaways from Old El Paso's Cheesy Mexican Rice is its high sodium content. A single serving (as prepared) can contain over 600mg of sodium, or more than 25% of the recommended daily value. A diet high in sodium is linked to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. The high sodium comes from salt, dried chicken broth, and the various flavor enhancers.

Additives and Their Implications

Ingredients like maltodextrin and artificial flavors raise questions for health-conscious consumers. While generally recognized as safe, a diet heavy in processed ingredients and additives is often linked to poorer health outcomes. The presence of milk and soy derivatives should also be noted for those with allergies.

Processed vs. Homemade: A Comparative Look

For those aiming for a healthier diet, comparing the convenience product to a homemade version is revealing. The table below highlights the key differences.


Feature	Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice (Boxed Mix)	Homemade Cheesy Mexican Rice (Whole Ingredients)
Ingredients	Enriched parboiled rice, maltodextrin, dried ricotta cheese, dried vegetables, natural and artificial flavors, silicon dioxide.	Brown rice, real cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, fresh or canned tomatoes, fresh onion, fresh garlic, spices (chili powder, cumin), chicken or vegetable broth.
Nutritional Control	Pre-determined by the manufacturer, often high in sodium and low in fiber.	Complete control over sodium, fat, and fiber content; allows for the addition of more vegetables.
Convenience	Ready in minutes on the stovetop or in the microwave.	Requires measuring and chopping, takes more time to prepare from scratch.
Allergens	Contains milk and soy.	Can be easily adapted to be dairy-free or soy-free by adjusting the cheese and broth.
Ingredient Transparency	Relies on reading the label, which can be confusing with technical terms like 'maltodextrin.'	All ingredients are known and visible, with no hidden additives.

Creating a Healthier Homemade Version

Making your own cheesy Mexican rice is straightforward and offers far greater nutritional benefits. Not only do you get to control the ingredients, but you also get to enhance the flavor with fresh components.

Here is a simple blueprint for a homemade, healthier version:

Sauté aromatics like fresh onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil.
Add whole grain rice (such as brown rice) and toast it lightly before adding liquids.
Use low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.
Mix in tomato sauce, canned or fresh chopped green chilies, and plenty of spices like cumin and chili powder.
Add extra vegetables such as corn or black beans for added fiber and nutrients.
Finish with a sprinkle of real shredded cheese. Opting for full-fat, real cheese will give a rich flavor without the need for artificial additives.

This approach delivers a richer, more authentic flavor profile while avoiding the high sodium and processed ingredients found in the boxed version. You can also customize the heat and cheesiness to your liking.

Conclusion: The Cost of Convenience

The Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice mix offers undeniable convenience, making it a quick and easy side dish for a weeknight meal. However, this convenience comes with a trade-off in nutritional quality. The ingredient list is dominated by processed components, flavor enhancers, and high sodium content, which may not align with the goals of a balanced and healthy diet. While fine as an occasional treat, being mindful of the ingredients is key. For those seeking better nutritional value, the extra effort of making a homemade version from whole ingredients is a worthwhile investment in your health. Understanding what's in your food, like knowing what are the ingredients in Old El Paso cheesy Mexican rice?, is the first step toward making more informed dietary choices. For more ideas on healthier swaps and meal prep, consult nutrition resources like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary ingredient is enriched parboiled rice, which is rice that has been processed to cook faster and had some vitamins and minerals added back in.

The product contains dried ricotta cheese, made from whey and milkfat, along with natural and artificial flavorings to create the cheesy taste.

No, the Cheesy Mexican Rice mix is not labeled as gluten-free and contains wheat and soy ingredients in some variations, though milk and soy are consistent allergens. The company advises checking the specific product label.

The high sodium level comes from a combination of salt, dried chicken broth, and other savory flavor enhancers like yeast extract used in the seasoning mix.

Maltodextrin is a food additive derived from corn starch that acts as a thickener, filler, and preservative. It is a highly processed carbohydrate and is used to improve the product's texture and stability.

Healthier alternatives include making Mexican rice from scratch using whole ingredients like brown rice, fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, low-sodium broth, and real cheese. Adding extra vegetables like black beans and corn can increase the nutritional value.

The product contains milk and soy ingredients. It's important for individuals with allergies to carefully review the product label for the most accurate and up-to-date allergen information.