16 Rice Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Dessert

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

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.

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.

Get Recipe: Crispy Kimchi Cheese Rice

This risotto is simple yet luxe, with golden saffron and rich cream.

Get Recipe: Creamy Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)

Use fresh or leftover white rice for this easy, vegetable-studded fried rice.

Get Recipe: Easy Fried Rice

Classic chicken and rice soup is a comforting go-to, and our techniques will make each element perfect.

Get Recipe: Classic Chicken and Rice Soup

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.

Get Recipe: Tahdig (Persian Crunchy Rice)

This one dish meal uses golden-roasted potatoes to support rice-stuffed tomatoes.

Get Recipe: Pomodori al Riso (Roman Rice-Stuffed Tomatoes)

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.

Get Recipe: Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)

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.

Get Recipe: Gallopinto (Nicaraguan Rice and Beans)

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.

Get Recipe: Brown Rice Congee With Beef, Shiitake, and Garlic Chips

Make the silkiest, smoothest rice pudding that actually tastes like rice with just milk, leftover rice, and sugar.

Get Recipe: Vanilla Rice Pudding

This Singaporean staple features moist chicken, aromatic rice, and tender bok choy finished with chile garlic sauce and kecap manis.

Get Recipe: Hainanese Chicken Rice Set

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.

Get Recipe: Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice)

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!

Get Recipe: Breakfast Black Rice Porridge With Coconut Cream

This recipe produces seasoned sushi rice that’s balanced and flavorful—perfect for maki, nigiri, hand rolls, and rice bowls.

Get Recipe: Sumeshi (Seasoned Sushi Rice)

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.

Get Recipe: Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

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.

Get Recipe: Nigerian Masa (Fermented Rice Cake Balls)

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