20 Delicious Recipes Using Rice

Looking for recipes using rice? We have 20 delicious ways to use this cheap pantry staple. Transform this humble grain into a culinary delight.

That bag of rice is staring at you from your pantry all alone. "Someone cook me," it cries out. You're tired of plain old boring rice, but you don't know what else to do with it. I have good news! Rice because of its neutral taste, can be transformed into so many different types of cuisines with the power of spices.

We can make it Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Cajun, Thai, Chinese, southern, or Italian just by changing the flavor profiles that accompany the rice. There's no reason to get stuck in a rice rut when so many cuisines around the world regularly use rice in such delicious ways.

As part of our pantry highlight challenge, I am showing you how to use rice to its full potential. Take this dirt cheap grain, and turn it into something delightful.

20 Flavorful Recipes Using Rice

Mujaddara

Mujaddara uses two dirt cheap pantry staples, rice and lentils, to make a delicious Arabic dish. The onions on top make this so don't skip them.

Dirty Rice

Dirty rice is a flavorful Cajun dish using ground beef, bacon and spices to make the rice turn brown or "dirty". It's a family favorite here.

Taco Rice

Taco rice is another family favorite. The rice and beans stretch the ground beef to make this a kid-friendly and budget-friendly meal.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Chicken and wild rice soup is perfect when the weather turns cool. This particular version can also be made gluten and dairy-free.

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is a classic dish to make when you have leftover rice and chicken. If you are making plain rice for a meal, always make extra so you can have it to make chicken fried rice.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This chicken and rice casserole uses simple ingredients and is total American comfort food.

Pumpkin risotto

Pumpkin risotto is perfect to make in the fall when pumpkin is inexpensive and readily available in the stores. So creamy and delicious.

Vegetable Biryani

Dinner Then Dessert

Easy vegetable biryani is a flavorful Indian rice dish that is packed with vegetables and big on flavor.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Spend With Pennies

This broccoli rice casserole is made without canned soups and looks delish! It's perfect for a holiday side dish or as a main dish for a weeknight. You could even add chicken for some added protein.

Thai Coconut Curry Rice

The Real Food RDs

Thai coconut curry rice is perfect for giving you those Thai takeout flavors at home. Yum!

Arroz con Pollo

Simply Recipes

Arroz con pollo is a classic Mexican dish that is super kid-friendly. It's amazing how comforting just a few simple ingredients can be.

Arroz con Leche

Isabela Eats

Arroz con leche is a Mexican rice pudding that's a comforting and simple dessert.

Breakfast Fried Rice

Lexi's Clean Kitchen

If you have bacon, eggs, green onions, and rice, you can make this breakfast fried rice. So simple and delicious and good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.