12 Easy Rice Recipes: Classic Rice Dishes and Variations

Rice is a cereal grain encompassing more than 10,000 varieties, although the most common types of rice come from one of two subspecies varieties of the Oryza sativa plant. Those two common varieties include indica, a non-sticky, long-grain rice high in amylose starch; and japonica, a stickier, short-grain rice that contains less amylose starch.

Grocery stores commonly carry several different kinds of both long-grain and short-grain rice, such as white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice. You might also see wild rice, which technically is not rice, but rather the seed of a grass that is similar, but unrelated, to rice plants.

Chefs and home cooks use rice—a pantry staple—in dishes worldwide, although various types of cuisine call for different varieties of rice and different cooking methods.

• US dishes: Casseroles are a classic dish in the United States that often incorporate rice as a base. A rice casserole might include rice, veggies, meat, and cheese topped with something crunchy like a breadcrumb or cracker mixture.
• Chinese dishes: Rice is a common base or side dish in Chinese cuisine because rice grows so well in wet and humid environments throughout Asia. Fried rice, crispy rice, congee (a rice porridge), rice stir-fry, and steamed white rice are all common examples of Chinese cuisine.
• Greek dishes: Rice is the main component in dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), spanakorizo (a spinach and rice pilaf), stuffed squash flowers, and buttery gamopilafo (also known as Greek wedding rice), just to name a few Greek dishes. Add Greek olives, feta cheese, cucumber, and olive oil to a rice salad and serve it chilled or warm.
• Indian dishes: India is the second-largest producer of rice in the world (behind China), and many popular Indian dishes incorporate rice or use rice as their base, such as fried rice, cumin rice, biryani, and coconut milk rice.
• Italian dishes: Risotto is a popular Italian dish involving arborio rice (a short-grain, starchy rice) cooked slowly with chicken broth or stock and finished with Parmesan cheese. Veggies, seafood, and plant-based proteins can add more flavor and substance—for example, mushroom risotto is a popular variation.
• Mexican dishes: You can find rice mixed with black beans inside a burrito; served on the side with enchiladas, tacos, or chimichangas (deep-fried burritos); or mixed with veggies like bell peppers as a main dish. Mexican rice dishes are often reddish in appearance, taking their color and flavor from cumin and tomato-based sauces. Another variation is cilantro-lime rice.
• Spanish dishes: Also called yellow rice, Spanish rice gets its color and unique flavor from saffron. Paella is one common traditional Spanish dish that combines rice, seafood, and broth.
• Thai dishes: Sticky coconut rice, fried rice, rice soup, and Thai omelets are all Thai dishes that incorporate rice.

Rice dishes often require very little prep time—usually just a good rinsing of the grains—as well as a relatively short cook time, making them easy recipes to use on weeknights. Here are rice recipes representing various cuisines and a range of preparation methods, demonstrating just how simple it can be to cook with this versatile ingredient.

1. 1. Arroz con leche: Rice pudding is sweet, full of cinnamon, and often dotted with raisins. Make the dish in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or on the stovetop and use sugar or condensed milk to sweeten it. Try this arroz con leche recipe.
2. 2. Bibimbap: Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl customized with meat, like ground beef, and sautéd veggies or raw vegetables. Traditionally, it contains a pickled or fermented product like kimchi and a fried egg. Learn how to cook rice for a bibimbap dish.
3. 3. Chicken biryani: This South Asian rice dish is popular in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Rice, meat, vegetables, spices, and yogurt are a few key ingredients, but there are over ten styles, depending on the region. Here’s an easy chicken biryani recipe.
4. 4. Classic paella: Paella is a popular Spanish dish that has several variations because there is no consensus on what a traditional paella includes. Sometimes you will see recipes that only allow for seafood ingredients in addition to the rice, while others call for both seafood and meats. Regardless, it’s a must to let the cooked rice become crispy in the pan. Learn how to make this classic Spanish paella recipe.
5. 5. Coconut rice: Flavored with coconut milk, coconut water, and coconut flakes, coconut rice can be sweet or savory. Add cilantro or lime juice to the cooked rice for a fresh flavor, or leave it tasting purely of coconut. Try topping the dish with scallions and tofu to serve it as a main dish. Here’s a flavorful coconut rice recipe.
6. 6. Dolmas: Stuffed grape leaves, called dolmas, are popular in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. These feature a simple rice and meat mixture wrapped up in a grape leaf. Steam the parcels in broth until the grape leaves are soft and then serve them with feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Try this classic dolmas recipe.
7. 7. Fried rice: You can use up leftover vegetables and proteins by making a fried rice dish. Try adding broccoli, diced onions, and peas for vegetable fried rice, or diced cooked chicken for chicken fried rice. Here’s a perfect fried rice recipe.
8. 8. Jambalaya: This one-pot Cajun rice dish features spicy sausage and local seafood. Popular in Louisiana, jambalaya is a dish that calls for a mixture of red or green bell peppers plus celery and onions. Learn how to make a classic Cajun jambalaya recipe.
9. 9. Kheer: Kheer is a sweet Indian rice pudding that uses only a few ingredients, including basmati rice, which can make it an easy weeknight dessert. Flavor the dish with rose water, saffron, or cardamom. Check out this rice kheer recipe.
10. 10. Ohagi: A traditional sweet treat in Japan, ohagi involves covering or filling a round, sweet rice ball with red bean paste. Cooks make the mochigome, a Japanese sticky rice, in a rice cooker for the best results. Here’s a simple recipe for ohagi.
11. 11. Okayu: Traditional cooks make okayu, a Japanese rice porridge, in a clay pot. The main ingredient is rice, and you can serve the dish by itself or with a few simple toppings like fresh herbs or thinly sliced vegetables. Try this simple okayu recipe.
12. 12. Stovetop steamed rice: Getting steamed rice right can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. You can use a rice cooker or make it on the stovetop. Remember to rinse the uncooked rice first, keep an eye on the temperature while it cooks, ensure you use the right amount of water, and fluff the rice at the end of the cooking process. Serve it plain, with a drizzle of soy sauce, or mix it into other side dishes. Learn how to make perfect steamed rice.

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