Rice works its way into every kind of dish—creamy casseroles, skillet dinners, chilled salads, and bold, spicy sides. This lineup brings together everything from comforting wild rice soup to takeout-style shrimp fried rice to plant-based bowls packed with ginger and coconut. Whether you’re using white, brown, wild, or cauliflower rice, each recipe offers something that’s hearty, flexible, and easy to build on.

Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Cauliflower Rice Recipe – Easy, How-to Instructions. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This simple guide walks through turning cauliflower into fluffy, rice-sized pieces that cook up fast. Lightly sauté with oil and seasoning for a quick base. Great for bowls, stir-fries, or stuffing. Keeps well and soaks up flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Rice Recipe – Easy, How-to Instructions

Filipino Fried Rice

Filipino Fried Rice. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Cold rice gets stir-fried with garlic, soy sauce, and optional meat or eggs for a fast, savory dish. It’s simple but packed with umami. Works as breakfast or a side. A great way to use leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Fried Rice

Baked Salsa Chicken & Rice

Baked Salsa Chicken & Rice. Photo credit: Cook at Home Mom.

Chicken breasts bake with rice and salsa, all in one dish. The rice soaks up flavor as it cooks. Add cheese on top for extra richness. A no-fuss, all-in-one dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salsa Chicken & Rice

Chicken Thighs and Rice

Chicken Thighs and Rice. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Bone-in thighs roast on top of rice, letting their juices flavor the grains. Season with spices or herbs for added depth. The rice bakes tender, not soggy. A one-pan dish with built-in balance.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs and Rice

Chicken and Rice Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon

Chicken and rice salad in a glass bowl.
Chicken and Rice Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Cold rice meets shredded chicken, fresh basil, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil for a light, clean salad. Great for lunch or meal prep. Bright, simple, and quick to mix. Tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon

Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice

Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This stovetop meal builds flavor fast with seared chicken, sweet peppers, and onions over seasoned rice. It’s colorful, filling, and customizable. Add salsa or cheese if you want more punch. A weeknight regular.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Coconut Cauliflower Rice inside golden plate with lime slices.
Coconut Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Riced cauliflower gets cooked with coconut milk for a creamy, lightly sweet twist. Pair it with curry or grilled proteins. It’s quick and pairs well with bold flavors. Ready in under 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Green Rice Casserole

An overhead image of green rice casserole in a white baking dish.
Green Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spinach, herbs, and cheese blend into this cozy baked rice dish that’s rich without being heavy. The herbs bring fresh contrast to the creamy texture. Works on its own or as a side. Holds up well for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Green Rice Casserole

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Image shows a closeup of a spoon holding some Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole with the full skillet behind it.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Ground beef, rice, tomato, and cheese layer into a bake that’s saucy and filling. Everything cooks together in the oven. Great for busy nights. Serve with a green side and call it dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito

A close up image of cheesy bean and rice burrito on a plate.
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Rice, beans, cheese, and spices get wrapped up and crisped in a skillet or oven. Simple ingredients, full flavor. Make ahead and reheat. Great for packed lunches or quick dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito

Broccoli Rice Casserole

A wooden spoon holds a serving of broccoli rice casserole from a baking dish.
Broccoli Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Broccoli and rice mix with creamy sauce and cheese for a classic, family-style bake. Crispy edges, soft center. Serve as a side or the main event. Freezes well, too.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

A skillet filled with beef, rice and vegetables.
Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ground beef and rice cook in one skillet with garlic, onion, and seasoning. Fast and filling with little cleanup. Add vegetables to stretch it further. A flexible dinner with weeknight speed.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A comfort food staple, this dish layers chicken, rice, broth, and a creamy binder into one baking dish. The rice cooks right in the sauce. Add vegetables or herbs for extra flavor. A repeat-worthy classic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Festive Mexican Rice Salad

A bowl of festive Mexican rice salad with fresh veggies and cilantro.
Festive Mexican Rice Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Cold rice gets tossed with corn, beans, peppers, and lime dressing for a bright side or main. It’s colorful and bold without being spicy. Great for potlucks or meal prep. Holds up well in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Festive Mexican Rice Salad

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Side view of wild rice pilaf with pomegranate and butternut squash.
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Wild rice blends with roasted butternut squash, herbs, and nuts for a textured, seasonal dish. It’s nutty, chewy, and great warm or room temp. Works as a side or plant-based main. A fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

A bowl of chicken wild rice soup.
Chicken Wild Rice Soup. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Shredded chicken and wild rice simmer in a creamy broth with vegetables. Thick, hearty, and great for leftovers. Serve with bread or crackers. Freezer-friendly and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Coconut Ginger Rice with Spicy Turkish Roasted Chickpeas & Garlic Yogurt Drizzle

Coconut Ginger Rice with Spicy Turkish Roasted Chickpeas & Garlic Yogurt Drizzle. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Fragrant coconut ginger rice forms the base for crispy chickpeas and a garlicky yogurt sauce. It’s a layered dish with heat, creaminess, and crunch. A full-flavor plant-based bowl. Great for dinner or lunch.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Ginger Rice with Spicy Turkish Roasted Chickpeas & Garlic Yogurt Drizzle

Cheesy Rice

Cheesy Rice. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Simple white rice gets stirred with butter and cheese for a comforting, melty side. Add herbs or vegetables to dress it up. Great with roasted meats or on its own. Always a hit with kids and grownups.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Rice

Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole

Shrimp and rice in a skillet.
Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Shrimp and seafood mix into rice with Cajun spices, peppers, and cheese for a bold baked dish. The heat builds but doesn’t overpower. One pan handles it all. Serve with lemon wedges.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole

Authentic Shrimp Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!)

Bowl of shrimp fried rice with vegetables, accompanied by a small dish of chili sauce, on a table with a blue checkered cloth.
Authentic Shrimp Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Cold rice stir-fries with shrimp, egg, peas, and scallions in a wok or skillet. The texture stays firm and the seasoning stays classic. Fast and flexible. A go-to recipe for using up ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Shrimp Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!)

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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