Leftover Rice Ideas: Creative Recipes to Try Today

Here is a detailed list of 50+ Leftover Rice Ideas with step-by-step recipes and a list of requirements for each dish. These creative recipes will help you make the most out of your leftover rice!

1. Fried Rice

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice (preferably cold)
  • 1-2 eggs
  • Soy sauce
  • Frozen peas and carrots
  • Onion, garlic, and sesame oil
  • Green onions for garnish
• Recipe:
  1. Heat sesame oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic.
  2. Add peas, carrots, and rice. Stir-fry until heated.
  3. Push rice to the side, scramble eggs in the pan, then mix them into the rice.
  4. Drizzle soy sauce over the rice and garnish with green onions.

2. Rice Pudding

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Milk (or dairy-free milk)
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Raisins (optional)
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan.
  2. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened.
  3. Stir in cinnamon and raisins.
  4. Serve warm or chilled.

3. Rice and Beans

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Canned beans (black beans, pinto, or kidney beans)
  • Onion, garlic
  • Cumin, chili powder
  • Cilantro
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté onion and garlic, add beans and spices, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the leftover rice and cook until heated through.
  3. Garnish with cilantro.

4. Rice Croquettes

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Flour
  • Olive oil
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice, egg, cheese, and breadcrumbs to form small patties.
  2. Coat each croquette in flour.
  3. Heat oil in a pan and fry croquettes until golden brown.

5. Rice Soup

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • Vegetables (carrots, celery, spinach)
  • Herbs and spices
• Recipe:
  1. Heat broth and add chopped vegetables.
  2. Stir in leftover rice and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.

6. Rice and Chicken Casserole

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Shredded chicken
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Frozen peas
  • Cheese
  • Bread crumbs
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice, chicken, soup, peas, and cheese in a casserole dish.
  2. Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.

7. Rice-Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Bell peppers
  • Ground beef or turkey (optional)
  • Cheese
  • Tomato sauce
• Recipe:
  1. Hollow out bell peppers and stuff with leftover rice and cooked ground meat.
  2. Top with tomato sauce and cheese.
  3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.

8. Rice Stir Fry

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic, ginger
  • Protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu)
• Recipe:
  1. Stir-fry vegetables, garlic, and ginger in a hot pan.
  2. Add protein and cook until done.
  3. Stir in rice and soy sauce. Cook for a few more minutes.

9. Veggie Rice Balls

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Vegetables (zucchini, carrots, peas)
  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • Breadcrumbs
• Recipe:
  1. Grate vegetables and mix them with rice.
  2. Form into small balls and coat with flour, then breadcrumbs.
  3. Fry in oil until golden.

10. Rice Frittata

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Cheese
  • Vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes)
  • Salt and pepper
• Recipe:
  1. Whisk eggs and pour over leftover rice in a pan.
  2. Add chopped vegetables and cheese.
  3. Cook on low heat until the eggs set, then finish under the broiler.

11. Chicken and Rice Burritos

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Cooked chicken
  • Tortillas
  • Salsa, guacamole, cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Warm tortillas and fill with rice, chicken, and toppings.
  2. Roll up and serve with salsa and guacamole.

12. Rice Tabbouleh Salad

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Parsley, mint
  • Tomatoes, cucumber
  • Lemon juice, olive oil
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice with finely chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and cucumber.
  2. Dress with lemon juice and olive oil.

13. Rice Pockets

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Pita bread
  • Hummus or tzatziki
  • Lettuce, cucumber, and tomato
• Recipe:
  1. Warm pita pockets and fill with rice and veggies.
  2. Drizzle with hummus or tzatziki for extra flavor.

14. Rice and Sausage Skillet

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Sausage (Italian or smoked)
  • Bell peppers, onions
  • Tomato sauce
• Recipe:
  1. Brown sausage in a skillet, then add onions and peppers.
  2. Stir in rice and tomato sauce, cook for 5-10 minutes.

15. Rice and Egg Breakfast Bowl

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Avocado, tomato, spinach
  • Hot sauce
• Recipe:
  1. Scramble eggs and set aside.
  2. Heat leftover rice and layer with eggs, avocado, and veggies.
  3. Drizzle with hot sauce.

16. Curried Rice with Vegetables

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, cauliflower)
  • Curry powder
  • Coconut milk or cream
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté vegetables in a pan with curry powder.
  2. Stir in coconut milk and rice, cook for 5 minutes.

17. Rice and Shrimp Skillet

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • Garlic, paprika
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
• Recipe:
  1. Cook shrimp with garlic, paprika, and olive oil.
  2. Stir in rice and lemon juice, and cook for a few more minutes.

18. Baked Rice Casserole

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Chicken or turkey
  • Canned cream of mushroom soup
  • Green beans, breadcrumbs
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice, chicken, soup, and green beans in a baking dish.
  2. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

19. Tomato Rice Soup

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Canned tomato soup
  • Fresh basil
  • Parmesan cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Heat tomato soup in a pot.
  2. Stir in rice and fresh basil.
  3. Serve with grated Parmesan.

20. Rice Casserole with Bacon

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Bacon
  • Eggs
  • Cheese, milk
• Recipe:
  1. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble.
  2. Mix with rice, eggs, cheese, and milk.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.

21. Rice and Lentil Salad

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Cooked lentils
  • Red onion, cucumber, bell pepper
  • Olive oil, lemon juice
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice with cooked lentils and chopped veggies.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

22. Spanish Rice

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Tomato sauce
  • Onion, garlic
  • Bell pepper, cumin
  • Chicken broth
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
  2. Add tomato sauce, cumin, and chicken broth.
  3. Stir in rice and cook until heated through.

23. Rice and Vegetable Frittata

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Mixed vegetables (spinach, zucchini, mushrooms)
  • Cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Whisk eggs and stir in rice and vegetables.
  2. Pour into a hot skillet, and cook until eggs set.
  3. Sprinkle with cheese and broil until golden.

24. Rice-Stuffed Mushrooms

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Large mushroom caps
  • Garlic, herbs
  • Parmesan cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Remove stems from mushrooms and sauté with garlic.
  2. Mix cooked rice, herbs, and sautéed mushrooms.
  3. Stuff the mixture into mushroom caps and top with cheese.
  4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.

25. Rice and Tofu Stir-Fry

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Tofu (pressed and cubed)
  • Vegetables (carrot, broccoli, bell pepper)
  • Soy sauce, sesame oil
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté tofu in sesame oil until crispy.
  2. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
  3. Stir in rice and soy sauce, and cook for 5 more minutes.

26. Rice Patties with Yogurt Sauce

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Greek yogurt
  • Cucumber, garlic
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice, eggs, and breadcrumbs into a dough-like consistency.
  2. Form patties and fry until golden.
  3. Mix yogurt with grated cucumber and garlic for dipping sauce.

27. Chicken Rice Soup

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Shredded cooked chicken
  • Chicken broth
  • Celery, carrots
  • Thyme, bay leaves
• Recipe:
  1. Bring broth to a simmer with celery, carrots, and spices.
  2. Add shredded chicken and rice, and cook until heated through.

28. Rice and Vegetable Stir-Fry

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Vegetables (bell peppers, peas, carrots)
  • Soy sauce
  • Ginger, garlic
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté garlic and ginger in sesame oil.
  2. Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
  3. Stir in rice and soy sauce, and cook until heated.

29. Rice and Cheese Quesadilla

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Tortillas
  • Shredded cheese
  • Salsa
• Recipe:
  1. Spread rice on a tortilla and top with cheese.
  2. Fold tortilla in half and cook in a skillet until crispy.
  3. Serve with salsa.

30. Rice and Veggie Enchiladas

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Corn tortillas
  • Enchilada sauce
  • Mixed vegetables
  • Cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Fill tortillas with rice, vegetables, and cheese.
  2. Roll them up and place in a baking dish.
  3. Pour enchilada sauce over the top and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

31. Rice and Avocado Burrito Bowls

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Avocado
  • Black beans
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream
• Recipe:
  1. In a bowl, layer rice, black beans, and sliced avocado.
  2. Top with salsa and sour cream.

32. Sweet and Sour Rice

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Bell peppers, onion
  • Soy sauce, vinegar, sugar
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and pineapple.
  2. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, and simmer until combined.
  3. Stir in rice and cook until heated through.

33. Rice and Chicken Quesadillas

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Cooked chicken
  • Tortillas
  • Shredded cheese
  • Salsa
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, chicken, and cheese.
  2. Spread the mixture between tortillas and cook in a skillet until crispy.
  3. Serve with salsa.

34. Cheesy Rice and Broccoli Casserole

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Broccoli florets
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Cream of mushroom soup
• Recipe:
  1. Blanch broccoli and mix with rice and cream of mushroom soup.
  2. Stir in cheese and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.

35. Rice and Chicken Pockets

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Cooked chicken
  • Puff pastry or dough
  • Cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice, chicken, and cheese.
  2. Spoon the mixture into pastry pockets and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden.

36. Rice Salad with Roasted Vegetables

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Roasted vegetables (sweet potato, zucchini, carrots)
  • Feta cheese
  • Balsamic vinaigrette
• Recipe:
  1. Toss roasted vegetables with rice and feta.
  2. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and mix well.

37. Rice with Tofu and Peanut Sauce

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Tofu
  • Peanut butter
  • Soy sauce, ginger
  • Lime juice
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté tofu until crispy.
  2. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, and lime juice to make a sauce.
  3. Stir tofu into the sauce and serve over rice.

38. Rice Cakes with Yogurt and Fruit

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Greek yogurt
  • Fresh fruit (berries, banana)
  • Honey
• Recipe:
  1. Form rice into small cakes and top with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit.
  2. Drizzle with honey.

39. Rice and Meatballs

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Frozen or homemade meatballs
  • Marinara sauce
• Recipe:
  1. Heat marinara sauce in a pan.
  2. Add meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Serve over leftover rice.

40. Rice and Smoked Salmon Salad

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Smoked salmon
  • Cucumber, red onion
  • Lemon juice, dill
• Recipe:
  1. Toss rice with cucumber, red onion, and smoked salmon.
  2. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with dill.

41. Rice and Shrimp Stir-Fry

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • Bell peppers, peas, onions
  • Soy sauce, sesame oil
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté shrimp in sesame oil until pink.
  2. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
  3. Stir in rice and soy sauce, cooking for 5 minutes until heated.

42. Rice Pudding with Cinnamon

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Milk
  • Cinnamon, vanilla
  • Sugar
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
  3. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

43. Rice-Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Bell peppers (halved and cored)
  • Ground beef or turkey
  • Tomato sauce, cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Mix rice with cooked ground meat and tomato sauce.
  2. Stuff the bell pepper halves with the rice mixture.
  3. Top with cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

44. Rice and Bean Burritos

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Refried beans
  • Flour tortillas
  • Shredded cheese, salsa
• Recipe:
  1. Spread refried beans on tortillas.
  2. Add rice, cheese, and salsa, then roll up the tortillas.
  3. Heat in a skillet until crispy.

45. Rice and Egg Breakfast Bowl

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Eggs
  • Avocado, salsa
  • Cheese, cilantro
• Recipe:
  1. Fry or scramble eggs and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, layer rice, eggs, and toppings like avocado and salsa.
  3. Garnish with cheese and cilantro.

46. Rice and Sausage Skillet

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Sausage (sliced)
  • Bell peppers, onions
  • Garlic, paprika
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté sausage and vegetables in a skillet.
  2. Stir in rice and season with paprika.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

47. Fried Rice with Pineapple

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Bell peppers, peas
  • Soy sauce, ginger
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté vegetables and pineapple in a pan.
  2. Add rice, soy sauce, and ginger.
  3. Stir-fry until heated and slightly crispy.

48. Rice with Chili

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Chili (beef, chicken, or vegetarian)
  • Shredded cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Heat chili in a saucepan.
  2. Serve over a bed of rice and top with cheese.

49. Rice with Gravy

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Gravy (beef, turkey, or chicken)
  • Meat or vegetables (optional)
• Recipe:
  1. Heat gravy in a saucepan.
  2. Serve it over rice and add meat or vegetables, if desired.

50. Rice Salad with Pomegranate

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Cucumber, red onion
  • Olive oil, lemon juice
• Recipe:
  1. Toss rice with pomegranate seeds, cucumber, and onion.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then mix well.

51. Rice and Broccoli Casserole

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Broccoli (steamed)
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, steamed broccoli, and soup.
  2. Stir in cheese, and pour the mixture into a casserole dish.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.

52. Rice with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Meatballs (frozen or homemade)
  • Tomato sauce
  • Parmesan cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Heat meatballs and tomato sauce in a pan.
  2. Serve over rice, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

53. Rice with Grilled Chicken

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Grilled chicken (sliced)
  • Steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots)
  • Soy sauce or balsamic glaze
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, grilled chicken, and vegetables.
  2. Drizzle with soy sauce or balsamic glaze and mix well.

54. Sweet Rice and Mango Dessert

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Coconut milk
  • Mango (sliced)
  • Sugar or honey
• Recipe:
  1. Heat rice with coconut milk and sugar to create a creamy texture.
  2. Top with fresh mango slices.

55. Chicken and Rice Lettuce Wraps

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Cooked chicken (shredded)
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Soy sauce, garlic
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, chicken, and soy sauce in a bowl.
  2. Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves and serve.

56. Rice and Meat Stir-Fry

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Any cooked meat (beef, pork, chicken)
  • Mixed vegetables
  • Soy sauce, ginger
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté meat and vegetables with ginger.
  2. Stir in rice and soy sauce.
  3. Cook until everything is heated through.

57. Rice with Roasted Vegetables

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Roasted vegetables (sweet potato, Brussels sprouts)
  • Feta cheese or goat cheese
• Recipe:
  1. Toss rice with roasted vegetables.
  2. Add cheese and serve.

58. Rice with Ground Beef and Tomato

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Ground beef
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Onion, garlic
• Recipe:
  1. Sauté ground beef with onion and garlic.
  2. Add diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in rice and heat through.

59. Rice and Bean Chili

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Canned beans (black beans, kidney beans)
  • Tomatoes, chili powder
• Recipe:
  1. Combine rice, beans, tomatoes, and chili powder.
  2. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve hot.

60. Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Requirements:
  • Leftover rice
  • Acorn squash (halved and seeded)
  • Dried cranberries, pecans
  • Cinnamon, honey
• Recipe:
  1. Roast acorn squash halves until tender.
  2. Stuff with rice, cranberries, and pecans.
  3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.

These additional recipes continue to showcase the versatility of leftover rice, providing a variety of delicious meals and snacks. Enjoy creating these dishes that make the most of your rice leftovers!