16 Rice Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Dessert

Travel the world without a passport thanks to these rice recipes.

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Updated June 15, 2024

Vanilla rice pudding in two bowls topped with dried apricots and pistachios. — Serious Eats / Debbie Wee

Rice can be both comforting and classy, and is enjoyed around the world not only as a side dish, but also as a main event. These 16 rice recipes hail from all corners of the globe and range from simple to seasoned and savory to sweet. Whether you're looking for a soft, nourishing congee or golden, stuck-to-the-bottom-of-the-pot crispy rice, these rice recipes are far from ordinary.

Crispy Kimchi Cheese Rice Recipe
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
You'll never regret having leftover rice again. Layer rice, your favorite cheeses, and funky kimchi in a skillet and bake until the bottom is crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Crispy Kimchi Cheese Rice
Creamy Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)
Serious Eats / Qi Ai
This risotto is simple yet luxe, with golden saffron and rich cream.
Creamy Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)
Easy Fried Rice
Serious Eats / Eric Kleinberg
Use fresh or leftover white rice for this easy, vegetable-studded fried rice.
Easy Fried Rice
Classic Chicken and Rice Soup
Serious Eats / Tim Chin
Classic chicken and rice soup is a comforting go-to, and our techniques will make each element perfect.
Classic Chicken and Rice Soup
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How to Make Tahdig (Persian Crunchy Rice)
Serious Eats / Nader Mehravari
We've got the trick to achieve the delicious, buttery, golden, crunchy layer formed at the very bottom of a traditional Persian-style steamed rice pot.
Tahdig (Persian Crunchy Rice)
Pomodori al Riso (Roman Rice-Stuffed Tomatoes)
Serious Eats / Joel Russo
This one dish meal uses golden-roasted potatoes to support rice-stuffed tomatoes.
Pomodori al Riso (Roman Rice-Stuffed Tomatoes)
Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
Filled with salmon, tuna, and mentaiko (cod roe)—among many other savory options—these Japanese rice balls are a satisfying snack easily enjoyed on the go.
Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Gallopinto (Nicaraguan Rice and Beans)
Serious Eats / Julia Estrada
Recipes differ from household to household, but this dish is on the table at every single meal in Nicaragua. Serve gallopinto with scrambled or fried eggs, a side of corn tortillas, and queso fresco.
Gallopinto (Nicaraguan Rice and Beans)
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Brown Rice Congee With Beef, Shiitake, and Garlic Chips
Serious Eats / Shao Z.
This comforting bowl of savory whole-grain congee is studded with bits of marinated ground beef and topped with crunchy, golden brown slices of garlic.
Brown Rice Congee With Beef, Shiitake, and Garlic Chips
Vanilla Rice Pudding
Serious Eats / Debbie Wee
Make the silkiest, smoothest rice pudding that actually tastes like rice with just milk, leftover rice, and sugar.
Vanilla Rice Pudding
Hainanese Chicken Rice Set
Serious Eats / Fred Hardy
This Singaporean staple features moist chicken, aromatic rice, and tender bok choy finished with chile garlic sauce and kecap manis.
Hainanese Chicken Rice Set
Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice)
Serious Eats / Vy Tran
This iconic Southern Vietnamese dish is piled high with grilled and shredded pork, pork-and-egg meatloaf, fresh and pickled veggies, and a tangy-sweet sauce.
Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice)
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Nigerian Masa (Fermented Rice Cake Balls)
Serious Eats / Maureen Celestine
A northern Nigerian specialty, masa (also known as waina) are round fermented cakes served as an accompaniment to breakfasts, lunches, dinners, or as a snack that can be served sweet or savory.
Nigerian Masa (Fermented Rice Cake Balls)
Breakfast Black Rice Porridge With Coconut Cream
Serious Eats / Leela Punyaratabandhu
Whole grain rice porridge with a coconut cream topping has breakfast written all over it. Add fresh fruits and toasted nuts to that and, well, move over oatmeal!
Breakfast Black Rice Porridge With Coconut Cream
Sumeshi (Seasoned Sushi Rice)
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
This recipe produces seasoned sushi rice that's balanced and flavorful—perfect for maki, nigiri, hand rolls, and rice bowls.
Sumeshi (Seasoned Sushi Rice)
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)
Serious Eats
This arroz con leche is flavored with orange rind, cinnamon, and (optional but highly recommended!) dark rum; the scent is deep and sultry. Studded with plump raisins, it's best served warm as soon as it's made.
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

16 Rice Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Dessert

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