34 rice recipes
Use your basmati, risotto and paella rice in our recipes, from Mexican rice to kedgeree, pilaf one-pots to creamy rice pudding
Looking for easy rice recipes? Want to know how to use up the rice in your storecupboard? Try our ideas here, then check out our fried rice recipes.
If you have a bag of basmati rice, make our spring veg pilaf, Mexican rice or classic egg fried rice. Cooked a paella and have some paella rice left over? Check out our Spanish-style chicken and chorizo rice. Looking for other ways to use risotto rice? Try our arancini balls.
Easy rice recipes
Nasi goreng ayam
This chicken fried rice is a classic Indonesian dish, with heat coming from galangal and white pepper, and a touch of sweetness from the kecap manis. It's a great rice-based meal with plenty of flavour and texture.

Fega’ata (bottom of the pot chicken and rice)
In this traditional Bahraini dish, meat (or fish or vegetables) is gently steamed without any liquid, while the rice is piled on top, absorbing all the flavours. It’s a bit more effort to prepare, but with eight servings, it’s sure to impress as the main dish at your next dinner party.
Harissa chicken and rice one-pot
This Middle Eastern-inspired rice one-pot is bursting with flavour, making it a truly satisfying dish. A dollop of creamy yogurt stirred with chopped preserved lemon would complement it perfectly, adding a fresh, zesty finish.
Japanese-style rice salad
This Japanese-style rice salad, featuring basmati and wild rice, is a fresh and speedy dinner ready in just 10 minutes. Who says date night dinners have to be complicated? Try this for a deliciously simple meal and more time to enjoy each other's company.
Crispy rice squares with sushi-style topping
Transform sushi rice into these party-friendly squares, the perfect base for an avocado, sriracha and pickled ginger topping.
Pilau rice
Ground turmeric gives rice a lovely golden yellow colour – serve this pilau rice alongside a range of Indian-style curries.
Nigerian jollof rice
Jollof rice is more than just a dish – it’s a cultural icon that sparks debates and brings people together, representing the vibrant essence of West African cuisine. At Flygerians, Jess and Jo Edun put their own spin on this classic, blending sweet Nigerian flavours with their signature smoky depth that keeps people coming back.
Obihiro Butadon (grilled pork bowl)
Try this butadon, a smoky, tare-glazed rice bowl from Hokkaido. Topped with tender pork and bursting with flavour, it’s a simple yet standout rice dish.
Coconut crab rice
Delicate white crab meat is uplifted with fresh, zingy Thai flavours. If you’re using a large tin of coconut milk, freeze the leftovers for another time.
Lamb biryani
Skip the takeaway and recreate this Indian classic at home. Tender, melt-in-the-mouth lamb takes the spotlight, accompanied by subtly spiced rice and saffron cream.
Chicken fried rice
This simple rice dish is ideal for using up any left-over rice or chicken, plus it’s ready on the table in just 20 minutes.
Egg fried rice with bacon
Our comforting recipe for egg and bacon fried rice is a quick and easy substitute for anyone craving a midweek Chinese takeaway. Did we mention it only takes 20 minutes to make?

Hainan chicken rice
Make the condiments while the chicken cooks, and this recipe from Malaysian street food restaurant Med Salleh will be quicker than it first appears.
Ethiopian Dorho Sebhi
Combine cooked rice with chilli-spiked chicken and eggs to make this dorho sebhi – a dish originating from the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Mexican rice
This vegan Mexican rice has a great kick of spice. It can be eaten on its own or, if you want to add some protein, it’s good with beans, crumbled feta, cooked chicken or prawns stirred through.

Pilaf rice with spring veg
Add plenty of colour to your midweek meals with this nourishing vegetarian one-pot, packed with plenty of greens and lots of aromatic spices.

Winter veg pilaf
This hearty winter veg pilaf is loaded with seasonal favourites like parsnips, kale, and spinach. Finished with a sprinkle of pomegranate jewels, it’s a vibrant dish with a pop of natural sweetness.
Perfect risotto
With a little bit of know-how (and some soothing, meditative stirring), a creamy, umami-rich risotto with perfectly cooked rice is guaranteed. Here’s how to master this comfort-food classic.

Rice pudding with cardamom
Everyone loves creamy baked rice pudding and it makes a great easy sharing dessert to serve up for family after Sunday lunch. This version uses fragrant cardamom for a subtle spiced finish.

Portuguese seafood rice
A celebration of all things seafood, this colourful rice dish calls for plenty of paprika, garlic, mussels, king prawns and oregano. It's by Sabrina Ghayour and is inspired by her travels to Porto.

Cheat’s chicken pilaf traybake
Add a bit of spice to your basmati rice with cinnamon, cumin and turmeric for an easy midweek dinner.

Preserved lemon, spinach and cherry tomato pilaf
Packed with subtle perfume flavours and zesty preserved lemons, this vegan pilaf is a hearty all-in-one midweek meal for the family to enjoy.

Thai crab fried rice with prik nam pla
Spice up your rice with crab, broccoli and prik nam pla - a punchy Thai dipping sauce. Discover more of our best crab recipes here.

Spiced green bean and tomato rice
Sabrina Ghayour takes a classic Persian recipe, loobia polow (rice cooked with green beans and meat), and made it veggie for a showstopping meat-free main. Check out more of our impressive veggie mains.

Baked chorizo and squash rice with manchego crust
Make this low-calorie baked rice dish with crispy manchego crust and butternut squash for a filling midweek meal ready in 50 minutes. Check out more of our low-calorie recipes here.

Tofu fried rice
Check out our vegan fried rice with smoked tofu. Make this quick and easy recipe for a low-calorie midweek meal for two.

Spicy fried breakfast rice
Check out our simple rice dish with spicy red chillis, salty-sweet bacon jam and soft boiled eggs. This low-calorie breakfast recipe is quick, easy and ready in 20 minutes.

Buttery leek and smoked trout kedgeree
Our super simple kedgeree recipe is made with buttery leeks and smoked trout. This flavoursome dish is ready in just 30 minutes, an easy midweek meal for two.

Warm red rice, herb and salmon salad
Try this nutritious, spice-packed rice salad for a midweek meal. Red rice is thought to be healthier and more nutritious than even brown rice, so this is a great, healthy option.

Supplì al telefono
Supplì are Italian snacks made from a ball of rice, egg and tomatoes - typical of the Roman diet. Here we suggest using leftover cooked risotto to make these gooey, cheesy bites.

olive's paella
A spectacular crowd-pleasing dish, our paella uses chicken, chorizo, pancetta and seafood to pack-in tonnes of flavour. Serve from a huge paella pan for extra impact.

Spinach and risotto-stuffed tomatoes
A simple vegetarian main (as long as you can find a veggie alternative to Parmesan), made from leftover risotto, pine nuts and lots of spinach. Great served with mash and greens.

Lebanese rice and lentils with caramelised onions
This recipe for Lebanese rice and lentils with caramelised onions is a storecupboard winner and is ready in just 40 minutes, making it a perfect option for an easy midweek meal.

Baked Spanish rice with chicken and chorizo
A spicy Spanish one pot. Made with chicken and chorizo and plenty of hot smoked paprika, this is a gutsy rice dish that is sure to impress friends and family.

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