Looking for some easy leftover rice recipes? From risotto to fritters and soup, these simple meals make rice the star of the show.
If you’re like me, you always end up making too much rice! It’s easy to make, given how small the amount looks when it’s dry.
The good news is that there are many amazing ways to use leftover rice.
And depending on how you’ve cooked it, you can even incorporate it into some sweets!
So before you throw away the excess, check out this list of 24 amazing leftover rice recipes!
1. Leftover rice frittata
Usually stuffed with potato, fritattas are great for a hearty, protein-packed breakfast
. Using rice
instead will keep this dish full and also add excellent texture
.
Loaded with Parmesan cheese, it’s as easy as beating eggs and adding them to the pan
.
Since the rice is already cooked, you can have it on the table in 10 minutes flat
.
2. Scraps
of rice pudding
My nana used to serve a big bowl of sweet rice pudding every Sunday
.
He used evaporated milk for a thicker texture, but it works just as well with regular milk
.
With only three main ingredients, this dessert is incredibly fast, comforting, and warm. It is perfect for the winter months.
And if you’re like me and cook your rice in coconut milk, you’ll start this dessert with great flavor
.
I like to have mine with a tablespoon of swirling strawberry jam, or you can always sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar
. 3. Leftover rice pancakes The texture can be a fun thing, and I didn’t think I’d like these
pancakes.
They should be fluffy and light, right?
Admittedly, these aren’t like the pancakes you might be used to, but they’re sweet and lightly spiced, with an oatmeal-like texture.
If you add a touch of butter and
let the edges crunch, it’s like eating a rice pudding pancake
.
I’ve even used bananas instead of egg and served with peanut butter
.
4. Ubbu Rotti – Roti Rice Roti is
a rice-based flatbread from
India.
They are made with leftover rice, rice flour and just a touch of salt and pepper. The recipe is also gluten-free and vegan.
These are the perfect alternative to naan bread or even flour tortillas.
5. Easy leftover risotto balls I can’t
say enough good things about these little bites
.
Using the leftover rice, you will add a mozzarella cube to the center before dredged the egg, flour and breadcrumbs.
Once fried, they can be served as a delicious potato alternative, with marinara sauce as an appetizer, or simply as a sticky, crispy snack late at night.
I like to use mozzarella here so that it melts and you get that fabulous pull of cheese while you bite into it
.
That said, Gruyere or a smoked cheese would add a real depth of flavor
.
6. Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito
I have a deep love for burritos. You can make them with beef, pork, or chicken, and you can serve them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
I like a spicy potato, bacon and egg burrito stuffed with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions.
But back to rice…
These are fantastic and not just for vegetarians! They are full of flavor, from lime and beans to hot sauce and garlic.
Using
black beans will give it extra texture, although I think some refried beans would add moisture very well
.
Add some spicy guacamole and you have a hearty dinner
.
7. Rice fritters
There aren’t too many things that don’t work like
a fritter.
Lightly salted and cooked until the edges are crispy, they are a simple but delicious side to almost any dish!
I really like these rice pies, but I think you could also add a cup of cooked rice to the corn fritters
.
8. Easy risotto
cakes From rice fritters to rice cakes,
there’s so much you can make with leftover rice!
If fritters are too crunchy for you, then these will be the perfect alternative
.
Things can get complicated, but these are easy to mold and make wonderfully thick and tasty cakes.
Fill them with cheese, green onion, or bacon chips and serve hot and golden.
9. Chicken and rice
soup
This might be
the last leftover recipe
.
We’ve all had those moments where all you have is leftover rice and roast chicken
.
And while there are many fabulous things you can do with leftover roast chicken, this might be my favorite
.
After chopping some vegetables, you can have this soup served in just half an hour!
10. Vegetarian Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms
I
usually only cook wild rice for specific recipes and never know what to do with leftovers
.
Although you could use any leftover rice for this recipe, I think wild rice is a beautiful pairing with mushrooms
.
Between rice, artichoke and cheese, these are the perfect little snacks. Or you can fill a portobello for a meaty, satisfying meal without meat.
11. Leftover rice dosa recipe
This South Indian dish is often made with rice, lentils, and sometimes potatoes
.
They look like crepes and can be served as a simple accompaniment to a tasty curry or a nice sandwich with some mango chutney
.
You’d be tempted to add some sugar and fill them with a sweet jam
.
12. Rice Casserole with Chicken Broccoli
Since the only thing you’ll cook in the casserole
is broccoli, cooked rice is the perfect complement to the shorter cooking time. Pair cooked and
shredded chicken with broccoli, cheese sauce and extra cheese, along with the bed of cooked rice for a simple, family dinner
.
A good way to simplify would be to use chicken soup cream instead of homemade sauce
.
13. Bibimbap! (Korean Rice Bowl)
It may seem like they took hours to make, but these rice bowls are easily prepared in an hour or so.
I know the ingredient list may seem intimidating, but it’s all very straightforward and can be done one after the other, overlapping everything in the bowl as you go.
You can skip even a bunch of steps. I won’t say if you use a different mushroom or buy a package of Asian vegetables with everything pre-crushed and ready to use.
In fact, I encourage it!
14. Thai
crispy rice
may seem simple, but this Thai crispy rice recipe is addictive
.
The trick is to cook the rice without stirring, letting the bottom crunch in the pan
.
You’ll add the sauce as you spin and break the rice into bite-sized pieces
.
Serve with a fried egg and a pinch of green onion
.
15. Stuffed Peppers
After making stuffed peppers
as a last-minute vegetarian option, I quickly learned to love them
.
This recipe uses ground beef, making them tastier, along with tomatoes and leftover rice
.
Once stuffed and cooked, the peppers begin to soften, sometimes with blisters on the sides, but still maintaining their shape
.
These can be done in advance and travel very well
.
16. Ground beef and rice casserole
If you’re looking for a quick weekday dinner, this is for you
.
Most of the five-minute preparation will be browning the meat with onion and garlic
.
After draining any liquid, you will combine the meat with rice, mushrooms, creamy celery soup and a bag of frozen vegetables
.
All these ingredients can be changed to your liking. I think mushroom soup cream with broccoli and corn would be a colorful option.
Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs for the last few minutes of cooking time and serve with a simple and pleasant garden salad
. 17. Easy Vegan and Gluten Free
Lentil Bread
I love
being able to make exciting new dishes for my vegan and gluten-free friends
.
They must be so bored with the same old recipes that are thrown at them day after day
.
I especially love this bread recipe. Not only is it packed with nutrients, but it’s also substantial enough that you can serve with some roasted veggies and feel full.
The base here is lentil puree. They add fantastic flavor when cooked in broth.
Bread would be a lovely centerpiece on the table, or you could also try making them in individual portion muffin cans
.
18. Pakora Rice Recipe (Leftover Pakora Rice)
These fried and spiced rice balls are to die for! First I had them at a friend’s house and immediately ordered the recipe.
Crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside, they are stuffed with chopped vegetables and seasoned with ginger, turmeric and Besan (ground lentils).
I
like pea and carrot filling, but they also work great with corn, a touch of curry powder and raisins
! I
often serve them when I make curry. They work well with chutney or dipped directly into a fresh batch of buttered chicken!
19. These
babies are similar to the risotto cakes above; Only they are made with rice and mashed potatoes for a creamier finish
.
Full of Indian spices, they will be great additions to your next Indian holiday!
Be careful when frying, removing them from the heat as they become perfectly golden
.
20. Quick and easy
fried rice recipe
Did you know that fried rice needs cooked and cooled rice, instead of fresh?
It’s true. It’s the key that makes it work so well.
For simple fried rice, cook your bacon (if you use it) first with onion and then add any extras you’re having
.
This recipe uses corn sprouts and beans, which add a great crunch
.
The trick is to move everything out of the way and cook the eggs in the pan, letting them stir and fix before incorporating them into the rest of the mixture.
In this way, when you add the rice, it will mix instead of becoming a soft mess
.
21. Fried
rice for breakfast
You may be wondering what
the difference is between fried rice and fried rice for breakfast.
Honestly, not much
.
Both contain ham or bacon, along with green onion and egg.
The main difference is that fried rice can have any number of delicious additions, such as mushrooms and peas, where fried rice for breakfast tends to be more subdued.
Try adding a splash of teriyaki barbecue sauce to your morning fried rice for a fun flavor blast.
22. Stuffed Pepper Soup
This soup manages to get everything I love out of stuffed peppers and turns it into a hot, comforting soup dish
.
And it comes together in just five minutes!
In fact, you might skip the browning step if you’re feeling lazier.
The meat will cook as it simmers in the sauce, which means you can throw it straight into the pot with everything else. It takes only 30-40 minutes to cook.
23. Neeragaram – Leftover rice porridge
This is not the porridge your mom makes. There is no brown sugar or Cracker Barrel fried apples in sight.
But once you get over that, you’ll see a wonderfully elegant and tasty way to start the day.
We all know that rice is super plentiful and very profitable.
You’ll combine whey, shallots, green chili and curry leaves with fenugreek seeds and coriander for this recipe.
If you can’t find fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds are a fantastic alternative.
The only thing to keep in mind here is that you should sit overnight before adding the onion, chili peppers and curry leaves.
24. Parmesan Rice Pastry Recipe
If you liked the idea of those fried rice balls but think it seems too complicated, this recipe is a simplified option
.
Once you have everything mixed in, check the consistency to see if you need more egg before frying. It should be kept tightly attached but not liquid.
Once crispy on both sides, they make an amazing side of cheese for roast chicken, pork chops or even morning eggs.
