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    31 Super-Satisfying Meals That All Start With A Bowl Of Rice

    Rice: the MVP of the pantry.

    Evie Carrick
    by Evie Carrick

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    There's a reason some people eat rice with every meal. It's filling, versatile, inexpensive, and easy to make. And it's one of those things you probably always have around. 🍚

    Bounce TV / Via Giphy / giphy.com

    So grab that leftover rice sitting in your fridge (or make a fresh pot) and turn it into something amazing. Here are more than 30 ways to do that!

    1. Veggie Fried Rice

    Veggie fried rice
    tasty.co

    This recipe is great because as long as you have the basics — rice, eggs, and soy sauce — you'll be able to concoct something delicious. Throw in whatever veggies you have on hand and enjoy the savory goodness.

    Recipe: Veggie Fried Rice I Shop This Recipe

    2. One-Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

    Chicken and cilantro rice dish
    tasty.co

    Nothing beats a one-pot meal. And the end result of this recipe is particularly good: The lime and cilantro make it feel light and fresh, while the chicken, black beans, and rice provide substance.

    Recipe: One-Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice I Shop This Recipe

    3. Spiced Rice Pudding

    Sweet rice with a cinnamon stick
    tasty.co

    Who said that leftover rice needs to be used for something savory? This sweet breakfast or dessert recipe only calls for seven ingredients (three of which are spices) and is ready in under 20 minutes.

    Recipe: Spiced Rice Pudding I Shop This Recipe

    4. One-Pot Enchilada Rice

    Cheesy enchiladas with avocado
    tasty.co

    This vegetarian dish has cheese on top of cheese with rice as the base. Top it with some avocado and you've got an easy, midweek meal.

    Recipe: One-Pot Enchilada Rice I Shop This Recipe

    5. Paprika Chicken & Rice Bake

    Paprika chicken and rice
    tasty.co

    The chicken may take center stage, but it's the rice (which is cooked in garlic, onion, and broth) that provides the flavor.

    Recipe: Paprika Chicken & Rice Bake I Shop This Recipe

    6. One-Pan Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl

    Veggies on chicken on top of a bed of rice
    tasty.co

    Out of tortillas and have a bowl of leftover rice in the fridge? This rice-based take on fajitas includes all the regulars — pepper, onion, and chicken — on a bed of wild rice (or whatever you happen to have on hand).

    Recipe: One-Pan Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl I Shop This Recipe

    7. Beans, Rice & Cheese Burritos

    Cheesy quesadilla with rice and beans
    tasty.co

    Sometimes the simple meals are the best meals. This four-ingredient recipe takes less than five minutes and can be made in a microwave. Make extra so you can freeze and reheat when your fridge is bare.

    Recipe: Beans, Rice & Cheese Burritos I Shop This Recipe

    8. Chicken Jollof Rice

    Plate of rice, beans, salad, and plantains
    tasty.co

    This dish sounds as if it would be hard to make, but the recipe makes it easy. Plus, it's hard to go wrong with rice, chicken, and a ton of spices.

    Recipe: Chicken Jollof Rice I Shop This Recipe

    9. Make-Ahead Chicken & Rice Bake

    Chicken with bread crumbs on it
    tasty.co

    Ah, bread crumbs, the essence of life. Those delicious nuggets top soft rice and chewy chicken cooked in butter, onion, and garlic.

    Recipe: Make-Ahead Chicken & Rice Bake I Shop This Recipe

    10. Mango-Stuffed Sticky Rice Balls

    Mango sticky rice balls
    tasty.co

    If you've never had mango sticky rice, get ready to fall in love. This take on the classic Thai dessert puts the mango inside the rice. A genius move.

    Recipe: Mango-Stuffed Sticky Rice Balls I Shop This Recipe

    11. Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

    Creamy rice soup
    tasty.co

    This creamy soup is perfect for a cold or rainy day and would pair nicely with a thick slab of bread (and a thick smear of butter).

    Recipe: Chicken & Wild Rice Soup I Shop This Recipe

    12. Salmon Poke Bowl

    Bowl of raw salmon and veggies over rice
    tasty.co / Via tasty.co

    Is there anything like rice and fresh salmon? This recipe uses high-quality ingredients to deliver a taste of Hawaii, wherever you are. Feel free to sub in ahi tuna for the salmon or grill your protein if raw fish isn't your jam.

    Recipe: Salmon Poke Bowl I Shop This Recipe

    13. Southwestern Chicken & Rice

    Jar of rice, beans, and veggies
    tasty.co

    Have some leftover rice and need a vision for lunch? Grab a Mason jar and dump in some rice, veggies, black beans, and cheese for a grab-and-go meal that's ready in under 30 minutes.

    Recipe: Southwestern Chicken & Rice I Shop This Recipe

    14. Taco-Stuffed Peppers

    Stuffed red pepper topped with guacamole
    tasty.co

    This recipe cuts a few carbs from arguably one of the world's best foods: tacos. Stuff all your favorite taco ingredients — beef, rice, beans, corn, and salsa — into a pepper and top it with cheese, sour cream, and guac.

    Recipe: Taco-Stuffed Peppers I Shop This Recipe

    15. Cilantro Rice

    Bowl of cilantro rice
    tasty.co

    Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest. The basics for this dish, which pairs well with a Mexican-themed meal, are lime, cilantro, and rice (of course).

    Recipe: Cilantro Rice I Shop This Recipe

    16. Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake

    Cheese-covered chicken and rice
    tasty.co

    Honestly, IMO you could leave off the chicken and still have an all-star dish. The rice and broccoli are cooked in cream of mushroom soup and cheese (hello, creaminess). Nuff said.

    Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake I Shop This Recipe

    17. Meatless Paella

    Bowl of spicy paella
    tasty.co

    Oh, paella. Oh, homemade paella! This rice-based dish is heavy on flavor (as you'd expect) and can be modified to interest meat and seafood eaters with a simple addition.

    Recipe: Meatless Paella I Shop This Recipe

    18. Nick’s Jambalaya

    White bowl of jambalaya
    tasty.co

    Apparently we owe some guy named Nick for this one. The dish's 71 grams of protein (per serving!!) are largely thanks to the mix of chicken, sausage, and shrimp. Make extra for tomorrow's lunch.

    Recipe: Nick’s Jambalaya I Shop This Recipe

    19. Fried Rice Chicken Teriyaki Cups

    Fried rice chicken teriyaki cups
    tasty.co / Via tasty.co

    This dish keeps it cute while packing a punch. You'll get 27 grams of protein per serving and can use up that leftover bowl of rice in your fridge. Win, win.

    Recipe: Fried Rice Chicken Teriyaki Cups I Shop This Recipe

    20. One-Pan Miso Honey Salmon for 2

    Plate of salmon, rice, and veggies
    tasty.co

    Okay, okay, so rice isn't the star ingredient here, but the miso glaze looked so delicious, it couldn't be ignored. This dish is an easy (and elegant) way to use up that brown rice and impress a friend.

    Recipe: One-Pan Miso Honey Salmon for 2 I Shop This Recipe

    21. Shrimp Tempura Rice Burger

    Shrimp burger between rice buns
    tasty.co

    Sometimes it pays to think outside the box, and this rice bun burger is definitely out of the box — at least for many Americans. The Japanese-style shrimp burger is smothered in a mayo sauce (that you'll make yourself).

    Recipe: Shrimp Tempura Rice Burger I Shop This Recipe

    22. Lentils & Rice With Caramelized Onions

    Pile of rice and lentils topped with herbs
    tasty.co

    This super-hearty vegetarian dish has 20 grams of protein per serving and is warm and filling. For a complete meal, serve with pita.

    Recipe: Lentils & Rice With Caramelized Onions I Shop This Recipe

    23. Lamb Biryani

    Rice and lamb topped with egg and nuts
    tasty.co

    Save this recipe for a weekend when you have time and want to fill your home with mouthwatering smells. Yogurt, almonds, raisins, and a TON of spices bring the lamb and rice to life.

    Recipe: Lamb Biryani I Shop This Recipe

    24. Easy Mosaic Sushi

    Sushi in a square
    tasty.co

    You knew sushi had to be somewhere on this list. But rather than stressing over the chopping and rolling, try this easier-than-it-looks mosaic sushi recipe that is as tasty as it is beautiful.

    Recipe: Easy Mosaic Sushi I Shop This Recipe

    25. One-Pan Spicy Prawns & Rice

    Yellow rice topped with sausage and prawns
    tasty.co

    Not only is this a one-pan meal (your dishwasher will thank you), but it has only five steps and packs 22 grams of protein per serving.

    Recipe: One-Pan Spicy Prawns & Rice I Shop This Recipe

    26. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Bowls

    Fajita toppings in a bowl
    tasty.co

    If you're on the slow cooker train, look no further. This recipe uses rice as a base for chicken, veggies, and a boatload of seasonings cooked for three hours. Hello, flavor.

    Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Bowls I Shop This Recipe

    27. Microwaved Veggie Rice Bowl

    White rice topped with veggies
    tasty.co

    No one has time to make an intricate meal every day of the week. This recipe requires only a microwave and takes under 30 minutes. The result is a hearty, flavorful meal with protein, healthy fats, and veggies.

    Recipe: Microwaved Veggie Rice Bowl I Shop This Recipe

    28. Onigirazu (Rice Sandwich)

    Rice sandwich wrapped in nori
    tasty.co

    This Japanese lunch is as grab-and-go as it gets. Wrap all the good stuff (rice, salmon, and sesame seeds) in a sheet of nori and enjoy!

    Recipe: Onigirazu (Rice Sandwich) I Shop This Recipe

    29. Chinese Chicken Fried Rice

    Bowl of chicken fried rice
    tasty.co

    This warm, flavorful comfort food requires only seven ingredients and less than 30 minutes of your time. Swap in whatever meat and veggies you have on hand.

    Recipe: Chinese Chicken Fried Rice I Shop This Recipe

    30. Crunchy California Roll Sushi Bowl

    Sushi bowl
    tasty.co / Via tasty.co

    With this recipe you get all the flavors of sushi without all the work. And you have permission to top it with as much homemade spicy aioli as you'd like.

    Recipe: Crunchy California Roll Sushi Bowl I Shop This Recipe

    31. Leftover Cheesy Bacon Rice Croquettes

    Fried balls of rice
    tasty.co

    There is arguably no better way to use up leftover rice than to combine it with cheese and bacon and fry it. Dip them in a side of marinara (or whatever strikes your fancy).

    Recipe: Leftover Cheesy Bacon Rice Croquettes I Shop This Recipe

    For even more delicious recipes and meal ideas, download the award-winning Tasty app for iOS and Android! 🍳