35 Great Leftover Rice Recipes (2024)

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Not sure what to do with leftover rice? This collection of simple, budget-friendly recipes will help! There is everything from main dishes to sides to appetizers and desserts. So many great ideas!

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We love rice around here. Not only is it one of the cheapest pantry staples you can purchase but it’s also super versatile and delicious. In fact, two of my children love it so much they will happily eat it plain!

It’s not uncommon though for me to cook up a big pot of rice in my Instant Pot to eat with Garlic Chicken, Tikka Masala or Easy Mexican Rice Bowls but then have some rice leftover that I’m not sure what to do with.

Obviously, I can freeze it. But then there is still the problem of how to use it up! I’m guessing you can relate.

That’s where these delicious leftover rice recipes come in!

There are easy lunch options, main course meals, appetizers, and rice side dishes that are anything but ordinary. No matter what amount of rice you want to use, there’s definitely a recipe listed here for it.

4 Cups Leftover Rice

Vegetarian Mexican Casserole

Photo Credit:buildyourbite.com

This delicious casserole comes together in less than 45 minutes and is a great way to use up a lot of leftover white rice. While it is hearty enough to work as a main dish, it would also be perfect as a side on taco night.

Cheesy Green Chili Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:thecarefreekitchen.com

A quick and easy tex mex recipe the whole family will enjoy! Pair with your favorite Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, or carnitas for a simple dinner.

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad - Gluten Free

Photo Credit:thehonoursystem.com

Use leftover rice and rotisserie chicken to make this healthy and refreshing chicken salad. Great for parties, ready in 10 minutes, gluten-free, and also makes a great lunch!

Italian Rice Salad

Photo Credit:cooktoria.com

This salad is anything but boring and it's packed with protein from the tuna and eggs! It's fantastic for a light lunch or dinner especially in the warmer months and takes just 10 minutes to make!

3 Cups Leftover Rice

Corn Fried Rice

Photo Credit:www.flavourstreat.com

The ingredient list for this vegan-friendly leftover rice recipe is simple but full of flavor. Plus it's ready in less than 15 minutes- great for when you are short on time.

Parmesan Rice Cakes Recipe - Simple & Delicious

Photo Credit:anoregoncottage.com

Pair these leftover rice cakes with just about any main course meal! They are cheesy, crispy, and cooked to perfection in 10 minutes!

Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Bowls

Photo Credit:www.gimmesomeoven.com

This recipe is not only easy to make but made with simple budget-friendly ingredients too. A great recipe for meal prepping!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.crazyforcrust.com

Talk about a comforting meal that's easy to make! All you need is leftover rice, chicken, a few spices, peas, and cheese. The best part is that the casserole is ready to eat in 35 minutes.

The Best Mexican Cinnamon Horchata

Photo Credit:whattocooktoday.com

It probably didn't cross your mind to use up your leftover rice to make a beverage! This horchata is creamy, refreshing, and can even be served warm in the winter months. The only other ingredients you'll need are water, milk, cinnamon, and sugar.

Curry Fried Rice

Photo Credit:runningonrealfood.com

You'll love that this fried rice is ready in less than 30 minutes, is easily customizable with the veggies you like or what you have on hand, and stores well so you can make it ahead of time.

The Easiest Burrito Recipe

Photo Credit:www.theseasonedmom.com

Ditch the takeout and make your own Chipotle-inspired burritos! This recipe is cheap, easy, and ready in 45 minutes.

Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.littlehomeinthemaking.com

This kid-friendly casserole is a timeless classic. It uses simple, inexpensive ingredients and freezes well too!

Creamy Tomato, Chicken & Rice Soup

Photo Credit:thefamilyfoodkitchen.com

If you love tomato soup, you'll have to try this version with rice and chicken. It's hearty, filling, and can be made with leftover chicken as well.

Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe (easy copycat)

Photo Credit:www.savorywithsoul.com

If you haven't had the chance to experience Bojangle's dirty rice, then trying this recipe is a must! It's such a great quick one-pan dinner.

Better Than Take-Out Fried Rice

Photo Credit:spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com

When you need to use up your leftover Jasmine rice, this will be the recipe to make. It tastes better than takeout and can be paired with any protein for an easy dinner. You can even freeze it in batches to store for later!

Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipe

Photo Credit:www.savoringthegood.com

Here's another delicious classic casserole that is topped with America's favorite buttery crackers. It's a great one-pan meal, ready in an hour, and has all of the food groups, so no need for sides unless you really want them.

2 Cups Leftover Rice

Easy Curry Chicken and Rice Soup

This is one of our favorite rice soups! It's full of flavor, easy to make, reheats well, is ready in 30 minutes, and serves 10 people with just one batch!

Super Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.thriftyfrugalmom.com

So hearty, delicious and easily adaptable, this flavorful casserole is made with basic pantry staples and ready in 30 minutes.

Easy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.iheartnaptime.net

No sides are needed with this chicken and broccoli rice casserole! It's made with simple ingredients and is the perfect cozy comfort food.

Un-Stuffed Bell Peppers Skillet

Photo Credit:www.thelifejolie.com

This simple recipe lets you enjoy the flavors of classic stuffed peppers but without all the work!

Black Bean and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.plainchicken.com

This simple rice casserole takes just minutes to mix up and works great as a freezer meal. Serve it as a side with your other preferred Mexican side dishes or eat it as it is for a meatless meal idea. You can also eat it with chips for a tasty appetizer recipe.

Breakfast Fried Rice

Photo Credit:lexiscleankitchen.com

If you love traditional fried rice, you'll love this breakfast version! It's made using only 4 ingredients, is ready in less than 15 minutes and is perfect as breakfast or an easy main dish recipe.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Photo Credit:www.dinneratthezoo.com

All the stuffed pepper flavor you love in a simple, easy-to-make soup. Hearty and delicious!

Buttery Tuna Rice Muffins

Photo Credit:www.thecreativebite.com

For those who love tuna, meet your new favorite 30 minute dinner recipe. Serve these muffins with any side dish or make an extra batch to eat throughout the week.

Thai Crispy Rice {Vegetarian, Gluten-Free}

Photo Credit:inquiringchef.com

This simple recipe is a fun twist on fried rice. Top it with fried eggs before serving as suggested, or pair it with your favorite chicken recipe. It may be helpful to note that this recipe only makes 2 servings.

Dirty Rice

Photo Credit:www.onesweetmess.com

Please your crowd with this addicting dirty rice! The recipe calls for hot sausage, but you could use ground beef or breakfast sausage instead. The ingredients are simple and it's on the table in 25 minutes.

Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito

Photo Credit:www.thespruceeats.com

Don't be fooled by these vegetarian rice burritos. Even though they are meatless, they are super filling and jam-packed with Mexican flavor. They are ready in less than 25 minutes, can be served as is or with a side, and they reheat well.

1 1/2 Cups of Leftover Rice

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup with Spinach

Photo Credit:www.mysequinedlife.com

This hearty soup uses leftover brown rice. It's lightened up by using milk instead of cream and you get tons of nutrition from the veggies.

Creamy Rice Pudding

Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com

Rice pudding is probably one of the most traditional ways to use up leftover rice. It's creamy, rich, stores well, and may be your new favorite dessert recipe.

Tuna Burritoes

Photo Credit:www.happyfoodstube.com

These tuna burritos are cheap to make, can be eaten for lunch, dinner, or as a snack, and they only take 10 minutes to make.

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

Stuffed peppers with a delicious twist! They can easily be made the night before and then just baked in the oven when ready.

South of the Border Skillet

Photo Credit:eatathomecooks.com

This simple skillet recipe is ready in 30 minutes and makes an easy side dish.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Jan
June 6, 2022 at 10:52 AM
Lydia, thank you so much for all these wonderful recipes! This is just what I needed to inspire me to use leftover rice! It seems that I always have some in the refrigerator, but often am left without any fresh ideas to use it.
I can’t recall the last time I felt so excited, or eager to eat leftovers! I am grateful for your food blog. You never leave me wanting for either recipes, nor ingenuity. You are absolutely amazing, as well as a gift that keeps on giving!
: )
Reply
- Lydia Beiler
  June 6, 2022 at 11:04 AM
  Aw, Jan, thank you so much for taking the time to comment and let me know! This was a post that I kind of found myself wondering if people really would find helpful. I assumed if I struggled to always know how to use up extra rice that others do too, but I just found myself doubting if it would really be that useful to other people. So reading your comment just blessed me immensely! And I hope you have fun enjoying that leftover rice! 😉
  Reply