75 Creative & Easy Rice Recipes

We know everyone has a soft spot in their heart for their favorite type of fried rice (we see you, shrimp fried rice-heads), so this recipe is as classic as you can get, perfect for personalizing however you like.

Get the Fried Rice recipe.

Similar to our Mexican rice, Spanish rice is the garlicky, well-seasoned side you need on the table when you’re in the mood for a true feast. Also called arroz rojo, this dinnertime staple checks all the boxes: It's full of flavor, has the perfect texture, and comes together in just 45 minutes.

Get the Spanish Rice recipe.

Crisping rice in a little olive oil adds a beautiful textural contrast and additional flavor to steamed rice, especially when it turns into a crust that cradles a really delicious cheesy chorizo and chickpea filling. Once you've got the technique down, use it for anything and everything you can imagine.

Get the Cheesy Chorizo, Chickpea & Crispy Rice Skillet recipe.

We've gotta be honest: The required stirring of risotto is honestly kind of therapeutic. Plus, stirring the rice into a rich, creamy mixture is complemented by button mushrooms, peas, fresh herbs, and a generous helping of grated Parmesan—it's 100% worth it.

Get the Mushroom Risotto recipe.

Uramaki arguably reaches a peak of extravagance with the dragon roll, with its gorgeous "scales" of thinly sliced mango and avocado and drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo. The roll is wrapped in classic vinegar-seasoned rice and filled with crispy shrimp tempura, a mix of buttery avocado, and crunchy cucumber.

Get the Dragon Roll recipe.

Is there anything better than a one-skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese.

Get the Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet recipe.

In this vegetable biryani recipe, we’ve removed the meat, instead replacing it with roasted veggies like green beans and cauliflower, all coated in a sunny, turmeric yellow yogurt dressing.

Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.

Filled with whole grains, protein, and fresh veg, these are the perfect bowls if you're looking for an easy, healthy lunch or satisfying weeknight dinner to enjoy all summer long.

Get the Blackened Shrimp Bowls recipe.

If you can’t get enough of Buffalo chicken wings, then this easy chicken and rice casserole is for you. You can poach your own chicken or use a rotisserie chicken to make your life easier too, just don't skip the crunchy Ritz topping.

Get the Buffalo Chicken & Rice Casserole recipe.

The beauty about this bowl is that it's infinitely adaptable. You can roast just about any veggie, use any number of toppings, and it'll taste amazing in this recipe. The only thing we might insist you must keep on the bowl is the incredible peanut butter dressing.

Get the Buddha Bowls recipe.

Is there anything more comforting than a chicken & rice casserole? We actually don't think so. It's the type of recipe we turn to time after time again during the fall and winter, just like roast chicken or our tortellini soup.

Get the Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole recipe.

A pineapple bowl a super-cute and fun way to serve dinner (and it guarantees TONS of fresh, delicious fruit). In this case, we’ve got jerk marinated shrimp, sweet peppers, and a sweet and spicy glaze that will make you want to lick your plate clean.

Get the Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls recipe.

This vegan paella practically screams fresh. Packed with veggies, this dish comes together in under an hour, and even better, most of the cooking happens in the oven. Briefly returning the skillet to the stovetop after baking is the key to achieving a crispy rice crust on the bottom, often referred to as socarrat (meaning “burnt” in Catalan).

Get the Paella Verdura recipe.

This particularly easy recipe is packed with smart cooking know-how. Rather than just topping plain rice with sautéed shrimp, you'll instead build flavor in the pan before steaming the rice. 😍

Get the Shrimp & Rice recipe.

The rice here reminds us of the cheesy and creamy filling for a burrito, made weeknight-friendly. The green chiles add a slight pickled flavor to the dish, making it bright and kind of tangy. It’s a great meal when you're feeling lazy but craving something cozy and flavorful.

Get the One-Pan Green Chile Chicken & Rice recipe.

Unfortunately, many folks limit themselves to only looking at two types of rice—white and brown—and miss out on other varieties like wild rice. This recipe uses slowly cooked onions and chicken stock to add a punch of savoriness, but the vegetal, toasty flavor of the rice itself is definitely the star.

Get the Wild Rice recipe.

A double-purpose chimichurri acts as a marinade for the steak and a finishing sauce for these bowls; the not-too-spicy jalapeño sauce provides a tangy, creamy counterpoint—plus, its versatility means it can go on anything and everything (read: make extra, and put it on everything).

Get the Steak Grain Bowl recipe.

This spicy crab sushi utilizes inexpensive imitation crab, called surimi, to create the beloved creamy and piquant roll. If you’ve got fresh crab on hand—lucky you!—it would be delicious in surimi’s place.

Get the Spicy Crab Roll recipe.

This light but satisfying dinner starts with a vibrant sauce made with some of our favorite sunny, bright flavors: sweet bell peppers, nutty white miso, and earthy turmeric, along with plenty of garlic and ginger. Topped with garlicky sautéed shrimp, this meal comes complete with protein, carb, and plenty of veg.

Get the Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet recipe.

Here, a simple combination of fresh aromatics, white wine, and seafood stock transforms humble Italian rice grains into the dreamy, cheesy, luscious rice porridge that we’ve all come to love. Adding fresh, faintly sweet lobster meat is all that’s needed to take your risotto over the top.

Get the Lobster Risotto recipe.