8 Leftover Rice Recipes
(8 Ingredients or less)

I don’t know about you, but I usually make a big batch rice on Sunday and eat it throughout the week.  Some weeks I”ll eat it all or not made enough. Other weeks I’ll make too much or I’ll just be tired of eating rice. For those two latter scenarios, here are some simple leftover rice recipes to get you through those times.  
 

Disclaimer: The leftover rice, oil, butter, salt & pepper don’t count towards those 8 ingredients. This isn’t click bait. Just some leftover rice recipes.

Leftover Rice Recipes
1. Arancini Balls

This dish is an awesome side dish or party snack. Arancini is, in simple terms, cheesy rice molded into a ball then fried in a frying pan. The best part about this dish, you get the crunch, the divine texture of the cooked rice and the stringy cheese when you take a bite. 

Ingredients
Portions: 15-20 servings of arancini balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes

  • eggs
  • 5  cups leftover arborio or short grain rice
  • 1 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 5 ounces mozzerella or cheddar cheese, cut into 0.5 inch cube-sized pieces
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil, for deep fryer
  • 1 oz grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups unsalted chicken stock

 Recipe Directions

 If you already have leftover risotto then the chicken stock and parmesan isn’t necessary

  1. We are going to make a very simple risotto. Take the stock, boil it, and add about 0.5tbs of the salt. 
  2. Stir in the rice and let the rice simmer for about 10 minutes until the rice has soaked the stock and there’s no more liquid. Add more salt to taste if necessary
  3. Turn off the heat and stir in parmesan cheese in with the rice
  4. After it’s cooled, stir one large egg in with the rice. 
  5. Roll the rice into 1.5 Inch balls 
  6. Poke a finger in the center of the ball, stuff in a cheese cube, and close the hole
  7. Use the remaining eggs to dredge the rice balls in flour and bread crumbs. (dredging is when you dip something in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Read more here) 
  8. Cover the balls and put in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Preferably 6. 
  9. Put vegetable or canola oil in a pot so it has a depth of about 0.5 inch.
  10. Heat the oil until it’s very hot
  11. Fry each ball turning it over every 4 minutes until it’s golden brown
Arancini balls

Conyann2009 via Wikimedia

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
2. Scallion & Bacon Rice Pancakes

This recipe has the same methods as the previous recipe of “Spinach & Ricotta Rice Cakes” and is also as simple and easy to make. These leftover rice cakes are typically found at breakfast, but you can also serve them as yummy dessert or a divine late-night snack.

Ingredients
Portions: 6 servings of pancakes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

  • 1 cup leftover rice of your choosing
  • 1 large whole egg
  • 3 stalks scallion chopped finely
  • ¼ cup chopped bacon
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 T olive oil or butter
  • Optional: Dumpling Sauce (purchase or make it here)

Optional: Can add chives, char siu (chinese bbq pork), chilie, or whatever else you think will go well with it. Get creative with it

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large size mixing bowl, combine everything except the oil or butter
  2. In a frying pan, heat the butter or olive oil on medium heat until warm or melted.
  3. Scoop about 1/4-1/3 cup of the rice mixture onto the heated pan.
  4. Use a spatula to flatten to desired thickness
  5. Cook the pancake for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Optional: Dip with dumpling sauce and enjoy.
Rice Pancake for leftover rice recipes

It should like like this but with bits of scallion and bacon in it. It’s up to you how thick or thin you want it. I like it a little thinner than this 
Williamnyk via Flickr

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
3. Fried Rice

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  • 2 cups cooked rice 
  • 1.5 Tbs sesame oil
  • 2 tbs soy sauce 
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 stalks scallions chopped 
  • Optional: ¼ cup diced carrot, ¼ cup peas, ¼ chopped bacon

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. If you are use the optional carrots and peas, stir fry them now until they are soft. 
  2.  Beat the eggs and fry it. Chop up the egg after or while it’s cooking
  3. Pour the sesame oil covering the bottom of the pan
  4. Lightly fry the scallions
  5. Add the rice and soy sauce. Stir the rice, scallion and soy sauce together
  6. Add more soy sauce if it’s not to your taste.  
  7. Add the eggs and optional ingredients to mixture. 
  8. The fried rice is done after it is brown and crispy.
fried rice

Image by likesilkto from Pixabay 

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
4. Rice Pudding

This is my second favorite rice recipe. Rice pudding is typically used with fresh rice, but when using leftover rice, it gives it a depth of flavor. This dish can be used as a cozy dessert or as a dinner, which makes it a versatile meal.
Rice pudding originated from China and the traditional Chinese rice pudding consists of rice flour, water, sugar and red bean.
This recipe I’ll be sharing with you is not just limited to long grain rice, it can also use other popular types of rice like arborio, jasmine, basmati and short grain.

Ingredients 

Portions: 6 servings
Prep time:5 minutes
Cooking time:25-30 minutes

  • 2 cups cooked leftover long grain rice/or rice of choosing
  • 2 cups full cream milk
  • 3 ½ T white sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 t vanilla extract

Optional choice: try garnish with ingredients like fresh fruits, whipped cream, cinnamon or dried fruits such as cranberries.

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine the cooked rice, 1 ½ cup milk, salt in a large saucepan, on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for roughly 15 to 20 minutes until mixture is thick and creamy.
  2. Stir in the remaining milk. Add sugar and vanilla into the rice mixture and cook for another 2 minutes of medium-high heat.
  3. Once ready, take the saucepan off the heat and cool down slightly.
  4. Spoon in the rice pudding into some serving bowls. Garnish and serve.
Rice pudding

Marco Verch Via Flickr

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
5. Mushroom and Prawn Pilaf

This recipe is very easy, healthy and simple to make. It will give the protein and fiber that you need whilst skipping all the unnecessary ingredients that others try to claim is better than simple recipes.  It is used in many cuisines such as Turkish, Persian and Indian. The best way to achieve a good Pilaf is by using uncooked rice, which is toasted between steps 2 &3, it is known to give the dish a nuttier flavour.

Ingredients

Portion: 4 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes

  • 2 cups Leftover long grain white rice
  • ¼ cup of cooked prawns
  • ¼ cup of sliced brown mushrooms
  • 2 T olive oil or butter
  • 2 shallots, diced
  • 1 t salt
  • ½ cup of vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 t Thyme

Optional choice: add some Parsley for garnish and maybe try adding some spices such as cayenne

Try adding ingredients such as carrots or peas, or maybe some meats like chicken or beef to add a grander flavour.

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. Warm the olive oil and melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add in the diced onion to the heated saucepan and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add in the mushrooms and thyme. Cook, stir occasionally until mushrooms are soft and liquid is released.
  4. Pour the broth into the saucepan and mix ingredients together, scrap off any browned bits from the bottom of saucepan and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until broth comes to a simmer. Finally, add in the leftover rice and prawns to the mixture and warm up the rice. Take Pilaf off the heat and cool slightly.

  5. Garnish with optional ingredients and serve.

Mushroom Pilaf for leftover rice recipes

Image by jefersonurias via pixabay

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
6. Spinach & Ricotta Rice Cake

This recipe is all about texture and flavour, it has the crispiness on the outside and soft and spongy on the inside, whilst still having a mouth-watering taste.  This recipe is not only simple but delicious too and it doesn’t take a professional cook to make. Rice cakes can be used as a dessert, a snack and even found at breakfast, so try them however you like, they are good all-day round and there is not wrong way.

Portions: 6-8 rice cakes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

  • 2 cups leftover white rice
  • 2 medium sized eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • ⅓ cup green onion, chopped
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 1 t salt
  • ½ t black pepper
  • 2 T butter

Serve this with your breakfast or by themselves.

You can also try alternatives such as
Ricotta>Cheddar cheese
White rice>Black rice
Spinach>Kale

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. In large mixing bowl combine rice, eggs, spinach, green onions, ricotta, salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a non-stick frying pan up on a medium-high heat, add butter once warm. Once melted its time to add the rice mixture
  3. Make batches of at least 4-6 rice cakes per pan, use a tablespoon if needed. Add more butter if it’s sticking too much.
  4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown in colour.
  5. Place the cooked rice cakes on a serving plate covered by paper towels (keep in heated oven if you want to keep them warm).
  6. Season if needed and taste.

Left Over Rice Recipes
7. Rice stuffing

Stuffing is usually served on Thanksgiving with turkey. However, with this leftover rice recipes, you’ll be eating stuffing all year round. This rice stuffing is typically found at a dining table amongst the holiday times as a side dish or used in a chicken or turkey which flavors the rice.

Portions: 4 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes

  • 1cups Leftover brown or white rice
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • .5cup white cooking wine 
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • .2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1 sprig Thyme
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 5 cup sunflower seeds  
  • raisins

Try adding herbs and spices like parsley and poultry spice for some extra flavour.
OR
Try using it as a stuffing for chicken or capsicums 

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large saucepan, sauté onions, garlic and celery in the oil over medium-high heat until celery is soft, and onions are translucent. Should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the thyme.
  3. If using regular broth skip this step. If using low sodium broth, add more salt if you’d like.
  4. Add 1.5 cups of the broth, wine and sunflower seeds. Simmer for a few minutes.
  5. Add rice and simmer for a 10-15 minutes.
  6.  It should be ready by now, but taste to make sure. If it’s too dry add the remaining 0.5 cup of broth and simmer until it’s the consistency you want .
Rice Stuffing for leftover rice recipes

Marco Verch Via Flickr

LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES
8. Chicken Burrito Bowl

For this recipe you won’t have to cook a thing which saves you time wasted. This recipe itself has all the necessary protein and fiber which your body needs and is very delicious at the same time. Like who doesn’t want that combination?

Ingredients
Portions: 1-2 servings
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes

  • 1 cup cooked chicken
  • 2 cups leftover white rice
  • ½ cup of corn kernels
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • ½ canned beans (black or pinto), drained
  • 1 T cumin
  • ½ T paprika
  • ¼ avocado sliced
  • 2 Lime wedges
  • Optional:sour cream, diced tomato, diced onions, chopped lettuce

Try adding some jalapeños or garnish with some chilli flakes. Try even creating a salsa or guacamole to add to the dish.
OR
Try also to use a whole corn cob and charcoal over open fire to add a smoky flavour.

RECIPE DIRECTIONS

  1. In a small-sized mixing bowl combine chicken, cumin and paprika, stir to coat chicken evenly with spices.
  2. Grab a clean serving bowl put the rice on the bottom and chicken on top
  3. Then put the rest of the ingredients in the bowl however you’d like. You can do it like the photo below or not
  4. Squeeze lime wedges over top and enjoy.
Burrito Bowl for leftover rice recipes

Stacy Spensley via Flickr

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