You know that moment when you open the fridge and see leftover rice? I used to sigh.
Now, I get excited!
We’re digging into a whole list of unbelievably good ways to use it up, from stunning rice bowls to comforting casseroles. Your dinner plans just got a major, super easy upgrade.
1. Bibimbap! (Korean Rice Bowl)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. These bowls look like a major project, right? But I promise you, they come together in about an hour.
The ingredient list might seem a little intimidating, but the process is so straightforward. You just work through the steps and layer all that goodness in the bowl as you build it.
And honestly? You can take shortcuts. I won’t tell. Use a different kind of mushroom or grab a pre-shredded Asian veggie mix. Go for it! Life is too short.
2. Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito
I have a deep, deep love for burritos. You can fill them with anything and eat them for any meal.
I’m a huge fan of a breakfast burrito with spicy potato and eggs, but let’s get back to the rice. These burritos are a total win, and you don’t have to be a vegetarian to fall in love with them!
They’re packed with incredible flavors like lime, beans, hot sauce, and garlic. Using black beans gives you a fantastic texture, but some refried beans would make everything extra creamy and wonderful.
Add in some spicy guacamole, and you’ve got a hearty dinner that’s a total flavor bomb.
3. Stuffed Pepper Soup
This soup is pure magic. It takes all the cozy, comforting things I adore about stuffed peppers and turns them into a warm, slurpable bowl of goodness. And the best part? It comes together in just about five minutes of prep! Seriously.
If you’re feeling extra lazy, you could even skip browning the meat first. It will cook perfectly as it simmers in the sauce, so you can just toss everything in the pot together. In 30 to 40 minutes, dinner is done. It’s a weeknight dream.
4. Easy Leftover Risotto Balls
I cannot say enough good things about these amazing little bites. They are just so good! You’ll take your leftover rice, tuck a perfect little cube of mozzarella inside, and then give it a coating of egg, flour, and breadcrumbs.
Once they’re fried, you can serve them as a fantastic potato substitute, with some marinara for an appetizer, or just enjoy them as a gooey, crunchy late-night snack.
I love using mozzarella because it gets so melty and gives you that incredible cheese pull. That said, Gruyere or a smoked cheese would add a whole other level of deep flavor. Game-changer!
5. Rice Pakora Recipe (Leftover Rice Pakora)
These deep-fried, spiced rice balls are to die for! I had them at a friend’s potluck once and knew I needed the recipe immediately.
They are perfectly crispy on the outside while being so tender and fluffy inside. They’re filled with chopped veggies and spiced with ginger, turmeric, and Besan.
The pea and carrot filling is a classic, but they are also so delicious with corn, a little curry powder, and some raisins! I love serving these when I make curry; they’re perfect for dipping in chutney or a fresh batch of butter chicken!
6. Parmesan Rice Cakes Recipe
If you loved the idea of those fried rice balls but feel like it might be too much work, this recipe is a simpler, just-as-yummy option.
After you mix everything, check to see if the mixture holds together well; you might need a bit more egg. You want it to be firm but not runny.
Once they’re crispy and golden on both sides, they make an awesome, cheesy side for roasted chicken, pork chops, or even next to your morning eggs. So good!
7. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Since the only thing that needs real cooking time in this casserole is the broccoli, using your already-cooked rice is the perfect shortcut.
Just combine your cooked, shredded chicken with broccoli, a creamy cheese sauce, and of course, extra cheese. Pile it all on a bed of that leftover rice for a super easy, family-friendly dinner.
To make it even simpler, you could use a can of cream of chicken soup instead of making the sauce from scratch. We love an easy weeknight win!
8. Leftover Rice Frittata
Frittatas are usually filled with potatoes, which makes them a great, protein-packed breakfast. But using rice instead keeps the dish just as filling and adds such a great texture.
This one is loaded up with parmesan cheese, and it’s as simple as whisking your eggs and adding them to the pan. Because the rice is already cooked, you can have this on the table in ten minutes. Seriously! It’s that fast.
9. Quick & Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Did you know that the secret to perfect fried rice is using rice that’s already been cooked and cooled? It’s true! It’s the key to getting that perfect texture.
For a simple version, cook your bacon first with some onion, then toss in any other goodies you’re using. This recipe calls for corn and bean sprouts, which give it an amazing crunch.
The real trick is to move everything to one side of the pan to cook the eggs. Let them scramble and set completely before mixing them into everything else. That way, when you add the rice, it all tosses together beautifully instead of turning into a mushy situation.
10. Chicken and Rice Soup
This might just be the ultimate leftover meal. We’ve all been there, staring into the fridge at nothing but some leftover rice and the rest of a rotisserie chicken.
While there are a ton of amazing things you can do with leftover chicken, this soup just might be my favorite. After a little bit of veggie chopping, you can have this cozy soup on the table in just half an hour! It’s pure comfort in a bowl.
11. Stuffed Peppers
I made stuffed peppers as a last-minute vegetarian option for a dinner party once, and I fell completely in love.
This recipe uses ground beef, which makes them extra-tasty, along with tomatoes and that handy leftover rice. As they cook, the peppers soften and blister just a little on the sides while still holding their shape.
These are also great to make ahead, and they travel so well for lunches!
12. Easy Vegan and Gluten-Free Lentil Loaf
I absolutely love finding exciting new dishes for my vegan and gluten-free friends. It must get so repetitive seeing the same old recipes all the time. This loaf recipe is a real gem.
It’s not only packed with nutrients but also so substantial that you can serve it with roasted veggies and feel perfectly full. The base is mashed lentils, which have a fantastic flavor when cooked in broth.
This loaf would be a beautiful centerpiece for a meal, or you could even bake it in muffin tins for cute individual servings.
13. Leftover Rice Pancakes
Texture is a funny thing, and I really didn’t think I would be a fan of these pancakes. I mean, they’re supposed to be fluffy, right?!
And to be fair, these aren’t like the pancakes you’re probably used to, but they have a lovely sweet, lightly spiced flavor and an oatmeal-like texture.
If you add a touch of butter and let the edges get nice and crispy, it’s almost like eating a rice pudding pancake. So yummy! I’ve even swapped the egg for banana and served them with a big smear of peanut butter.
14. Easy Risotto Cakes
From rice fritters to rice cakes, there is just so much you can do with leftover rice! If fritters feel a little too crunchy for you, then these cakes will be the perfect alternative.
Things might get a little messy while you shape them, but they form into wonderfully thick and tasty cakes. You can fill them with cheese, green onion, or bacon bits and serve them up hot and golden brown. Absolutely delicious.
15. Breakfast Fried Rice
You might be asking what the real difference is between regular fried rice and breakfast fried rice. And honestly, it’s not much. Both usually have ham or bacon, green onion, and egg.
The main distinction is that dinner-style fried rice can have all kinds of delicious additions, like mushrooms and peas, while the breakfast version is usually a little more simple.
For a fun twist, try adding a drizzle of teriyaki BBQ sauce to your morning bowl for a burst of flavor.
16. Rice Fritters
Is there anything that doesn’t work as a fritter? I don’t think so! Lightly salted and cooked until their edges get nice and crisp, they make for such a simple but delicious side to almost any dish.
I really love these simple rice-only patties, but I also think adding a cup of cooked rice to your favorite corn fritter recipe would be absolutely amazing.
17. Vegetarian Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms
I usually only make wild rice for very specific recipes, so I never know what to do with the leftovers. While you could use any kind of rice for this recipe, I think the wild rice pairs so beautifully with the mushrooms.
With the rice, artichoke hearts, and cheese, these make the perfect little appetizers for a party. Or, you could stuff a big portobello mushroom for a satisfying and meaty meat-free dinner.
18. Ubbu Rotti – Leftover Rice Roti
Rice Roti is a type of rice-based flatbread from India that is so simple and delicious. They’re made with your leftover rice, some rice flour, and just a little salt and pepper.
This recipe is also completely gluten-free and vegan, which is a huge plus! These make the perfect alternative to naan bread or even a great stand-in for flour tortillas. I love having versatile recipes like this on hand.
19. Thai Crispy Rice
This might seem like a simple recipe, but this Thai crispy rice is honestly so addictive. The trick is to cook the rice in the pan without stirring it, which lets the bottom get beautifully crisp.
You add the sauce as you turn and break the rice into yummy, bite-sized pieces. Just serve it with a fried egg on top and a little sprinkle of green onions, and you’re good to go.
20. Rice Cutlet Recipe
These little guys are similar to the risotto cakes we talked about earlier, but they are made with a mix of rice and mashed potato for an even creamier finish.
They are filled with wonderful Indian spices, which makes them an excellent addition to your next Indian-inspired feast! Just be careful when you’re frying them, and take them off the heat as soon as they turn that perfect golden-brown color.
21. Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
If you’re on the hunt for a super fast mid-week dinner, this recipe is for you. Most of the five-minute prep time is just browning the beef with onions and garlic.
After you drain the liquid, you’ll mix the beef with your rice, mushrooms, creamy celery soup, and a bag of frozen veggies. All of these ingredients can be swapped out for whatever you have on hand.
I think cream of mushroom soup with some broccoli and corn would be a really colorful and delicious option. Top it with grated cheese and breadcrumbs for the last few minutes of baking and serve with a simple garden salad.
22. Leftover Rice Dosa Recipe
This South Indian dish is often made with rice, lentils, and sometimes potatoes. Dosas look a little bit like crepes, and you can serve them as a simple side with a tasty curry or enjoy them as a nice snack with some mango chutney.
I’d be tempted to try adding a little bit of sugar to the batter and filling them with a sweet jam for a fun dessert.
23. Neeragaram – Leftover Rice Porridge
Just so we’re clear, this is not your mom’s porridge. There’s no brown sugar or Cracker Barrel Fried Apples to be found here. But once you get past that, you’ll discover a wonderfully elegant and savory way to start your day.
We all know that rice is super filling and so affordable. For this recipe, you’ll be combining buttermilk, shallots, green chili, and curry leaves with fenugreek seeds and cilantro.
If you can’t find fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds are a fantastic alternative. The only thing to remember is that the rice needs to sit overnight before you add the onion, chilis, and curry leaves.