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Make dinner easy with these leftover rice recipes that go way beyond plain reheating. They include delicious rice bowls, desserts, and one-pan meals.
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Got a little rice left from yesterday? Great. Now you can make something fresh and exciting with it!
Most of these meals can be made not only with leftover rice but also with a few extra veggies, seasonings, herbs, spices, and sauces.
Nigerian Fried Rice
This flavorful fried rice is made with beef liver, peas, carrots, bell peppers, corn, and spices.
Parboiled long-grain rice is the best option, though any leftover rice will do just fine.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice
Nigerian Jollof Rice
Savor the flavors of Nigerian cuisine from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Jollof rice’s flavors get even better the next day, so it’s perfect for meal prepping, too. Pair it with your favorite chicken main dishes.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice
Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Turn leftover rice into an entirely new meal.
These bell peppers are made with rice, ground turkey, and melty cheese. So delicious and filling!
Get The Recipe: Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Craving sushi but not the rolling part? This rice is for you!
It combines sushi rice with shrimp, carrots, cucumbers, avocados, and Kewpie mayo. Feel free to include your favorite veggies.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp Sushi Bowl
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Sushi Bake Cups
Don’t have a lot of leftover rice? Make a few sushi bake cups and tuck them into your lunchbox.
These savory treats are loaded with creamy, savory goodness. They’re ready in just 35 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake Cups
Gluten-Free Pineapple Fried Rice
Give your usual rice bowls a tropical twist. This fried rice delivers sweet and savory flavors you’ll love to have again and again.
Garnish it with sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.
Get The Recipe: Gluten-Free Pineapple Fried Rice
Kimchi Rice Bowl
Nothing beats the deliciousness of Asian-inspired meals.
This rice bowl is comforting and exciting at the same time, with chicken breasts, cucumbers, carrots, honey, and soy sauce.
Get The Recipe: Kimchi Rice Bowl
Gingerbread Cranberry Rice Pudding
This rice pudding is easy, flavorful, and customizable.
It’s a wonderful meal you can prep for the family during the holidays and beyond. You can swap dried cranberries with your other favorite fruits.
Get The Recipe: Gingerbread Cranberry Rice Pudding
Cheesy Chicken Burrito
Get dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor!
This recipe features a refreshing cilantro lime rice made with lime juice, black pepper, and a bit of salt.
Get The Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Burrito
Pork Belly Fried Rice
Got leftover pulled pork and rice? You have to try this recipe.
Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top, then serve with steamed bok choy.
Get The Recipe: Pork Belly Fried Rice
Venison Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Casseroles are always a brilliant idea since they’re easy to make and family-friendly.
Explore this recipe if you have quite a bit of leftover rice. Include green onions, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and your other favorite toppings.
Get The Recipe: Venison Stuffed Pepper Casserole
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Air Fryer Arancini (Italian Mozzarella Rice Balls)
Make a huge batch of these rice balls and share them with your loved ones.
They’re fun appetizers that you can prepare anytime. Make them ahead and store for up to three days in the fridge.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Arancini (Italian Mozzarella Rice Balls)
Curry Fried Rice with Shrimp
Craving something fast and full of flavor? This meal offers the right balance of spice and comfort.
Main ingredients include shrimp, carrots, green peas, and curry powder.
Get The Recipe: Curry Fried Rice with Shrimp
Pumpkin Soup with Ginger and Rice
This soup is so warm and soothing, something you’d love to have after a long day at work.
The rice adds heartiness without overpowering the flavor. Why not serve it with roasted chickpeas for a tasty, light meal?
Get The Recipe: Pumpkin Soup with Ginger and Rice
Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl
You don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen to make something great with leftover rice.
This rice bowl comes together in 10 minutes with rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, grape tomatoes, lettuce, and blue cheese.
Get The Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl
Brown Rice Pudding
Here’s a wholesome take on a classic dessert! And yes, you can use leftover rice to make it.
You can make this treat in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Get The Recipe: Brown Rice Pudding
Rice in the Oven (Riso Al Forno)
This baked dish is pure comfort layered with cheesy, saucy goodness.
Make it heartier and more flavorful by adding hard-boiled eggs or any leftover meat you have in the fridge.
Get The Recipe: Rice in the Oven (Riso Al Forno)
Ground Beef Rice Bowls
Make this rice bowl ahead and store the toppings separately in secure containers for up to four days.
It’s satisfying, fast, and great for weeknights. You can also use leftover chicken to make this recipe.
Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Rice Bowls
Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
This fried rice is packed with protein and flavor. Try it tonight.
It stretches what you already have into a full meal with minimal fuss. It also includes eggs, soy sauce, and veggies.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
Longhorns Rice Pilaf
This pilaf is buttery, herby, and full of comforting flavors that go with nearly anything.
It’s a cozy side you can pair with meats, seafood, or veggies.
Get The Recipe: Longhorns Rice Pilaf
Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl
Love seafood? You won’t be able to resist this rice bowl.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make it, including cotija cheese, red onions, avocados, and seasonings.
Get The Recipe: Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl
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Indian Mango Rice
If you’re in the mood for something tangy, bold, and completely different, look no further than this sweet treat.
It blends boiled rice with mangoes, chili powder, curry leaves, peanuts, and garam masala.
Get The Recipe: Indian Mango Rice
Quiche with Rice Crust
This quiche features a delicious rice crust and a filling made with eggs, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
Go ahead and include your favorite meats, herbs, and veggies.
Get The Recipe: Quiche with Rice Crust
Chilli Garlic Fried Rice
One-pot meals are a brilliant option for busy nights and spontaneous gatherings.
Try this recipe! It’s made with basmati rice, green beans, carrots, ginger, red bell peppers, and a mouthwatering stir-fry sauce.
Get The Recipe: Chilli Garlic Fried Rice
One Pan Smoked Sausage Fried Rice
This one-pan fried rice is ready in under 15 minutes.
The best thing about this recipe is that it only requires a few simple ingredients and leaves plenty of room for customization.
Get The Recipe: One Pan Smoked Sausage Fried Rice
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Rice is versatile, filling, and takes on flavors beautifully. If you’ve got some leftovers in the fridge, now’s the time to explore new recipes.
Aside from fun fried rice variations, you can also combine it with sweet ingredients like cinnamon, milk, and fruits to make simple desserts.
25 Easy Leftover Steak Recipes That Taste Like Restaurant Dinners
These leftover steak recipes will change the way you think about next-day meals. From pasta to sliders and nachos, you’ll never run out of ideas to try.
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25 Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes That Taste Like You Cooked from Scratch
Create a flavorful dinner idea with these leftover shredded chicken recipes. Each dish is easy to make, helps you save time in the kitchen, and helps you make sure no shredded chicken goes to waste.
Read it here: 25 Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes That Taste Like You Cooked from Scratch
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