12 rice recipes for quick and easy meals

I love cooking with rice. There are so many different kinds of rice that you can add to your meals to compliment the different tastes you are trying to achieve. There are also different sizes of rice. For example – short rice is great for sushi because it’s sticky and moist when cooked. Medium and long grain rice are generally fluffier and drier when cooked. These rice recipes are great because you can cook the rice in a rice cooker and quickly prepare the rest of the meal.

There are a lot of different kinds of rice, but here are some of my favorites and what you traditionally cook with them:

Basmati: long grain rice that is great with Indian, Middle-Easter, and Central Asian cuisine.

Brown Rice: basically like white rice only denser, nuttier, and has more nutritional value. Can be used as a substitute for white rice as well as a side for most dishes.

Jasmine Rice: Long grain rice with a sweet flavor. Great for Asian, Thai, and Cambodian cuisine. Has a slightly sticky texture.

Sushi Rice: Japanese short-grain rice that is used to make sushi. Has a sticky texture.

Bomba Rice: Medium grain rice used in paella, Meditteranean dishes, and risotto.

White Rice: Medium or Long grain rice is used for a variety of cooking. Can also be bought in instant rice.

I hope this helps you understand rice a little better and the different ways to use it! I love using a rice cooker because I can add flavors, seasonings, etc to it and have it cook into it. Then I usually dump it into a wok or large pan (if needed) and add the rest of the ingredients.

12 rice recipes for quick and easy meals

Fried Rice

This dish is easy to make with some cooked Basmati or Jasmine rice (also can use white or brown rice), seasoning, diced meat (usually ham or shrimp), peas, and scrambled eggs. Great main dish or side.

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is easy to make. Cook bomba, white, or brown rice and add seasoning, tomato paste, broth, onion, black beans, corn, garlic, and cilantro. Great side for any Mexican food night! You can make it in the rice cooker or in a pan. It pairs great with this street tacos recipe!

Sushi

Sushi is a little trickier to make, but not hard. Cook the sushi rice with sweet vinegar and get your fish, carrot sticks, cucumbers, cream cheese, avocado, and nori ready! Making sushi is a fun date night or family night activity! Get the recipe here

Chicken and Rice

This is an old recipe that I remember my mom making when I was young. Just add 1 cup of rice, 2 large chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise), 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 tsp of paprika, and 1 cup of water together and you have a delicious meal with little prep! Bake at 375 for 45 mins or until chicken and rice are done.

Rice with beans

This is just taking your favorite rice and cooking it, adding your favorite veggies and beans, and seasoning it to taste. It makes a great meal packed with nutritional value and is very filling.

Rice with Chicken and Vegetables

This is similar to rice with beans. You can pick your favorite rice and cook it, add your favorite cooked and seasoned chicken, and steamed veggies and top with your favorite sauce. We love making rice bowls! Get our favorite recipe here.

Shrimp and Rice

This is as simple as it sounds. Sautee the shrimp in butter and seasoning and then add the rice and broth and simmer. It builds a lot of flavors and is easy to make.

Porcupine Meatballs

Make meatballs but add rice and bake in a tomato sauce for a delicious and hearty twist on a traditional meatball. Also great as their own dish or on top of pasta!

Feijoada

This Brazilian dish has a lot of elements to it, so it isn’t as quick and easy as most of the others. But if you have the time – try it! My husband lived in Brazil for a couple of years, and this is one of his favorites.

Chili Con Carne with Rice

Chili con carne in and of itself is so good! Serve it with whole red kidney beans and your favorite cooked rice on the side and you have a delicious and easy meal. You can even cook the chili in the slow cooker or pressure cooker and have it done with little hassle.

Stir Fry

Instead of using the traditional noodles for stir fry, switch things up and add rice to your favorite stir fry combo. There is beef and broccoli, vegetables, walnut broccoli, chicken, and so many more! Tastes great and is easy to make.

Carmelized Beef with Rice

This is another quick meal to make that tastes delicious! Brown the beef and caramelize it and put it over your favorite cooked rice. Add sliced veggies like cucumbers and radishes and top with chopped green onion.

Curry Rice

Basmati rice is cooked to perfection with spices, veggies, and nuts. The curry powder gives it a golden color.

I hope these 12 rice recipes for quick and easy meals helps you plan some fun new things for your menu! I love experimenting with new flavors, especially with rice because it adds so much to my dishes. If you are looking for a great rice cooker – you can check this one out on Amazon.