25 Best Instant Rice Recipes to Try Today

In the mood for some delicious, easy-to-cook meals? Try one of these instant rice recipes!

Instant rice is a lifesaver in the kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and delicious. Plus, there are so many different ways to make it.

Whether you’re cooking for breakfast or dinner, there are plenty of tasty options.

From veggie-packed rice meals to food bowls and hearty casseroles, you’ll find something to love.

So, skip the long hours spent cooking in the kitchen and make these instant rice recipes!

1. Chicken and Broccoli Rice

This chicken and broccoli rice is perfect when you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal.

It’s made with instant brown rice, which means it comes together in a snap.

The tender pieces of chicken and slight broccoli crunch make this dish jam-packed with deliciousness.

With this recipe, you can have chicken and broccoli rice in a fraction of the time.

2. Quick Mexican Rice

Make taco Tuesdays more exciting with this quick and easy Mexican rice recipe!

Mexican rice is the ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect side for any meal – from grilled dishes to tacos and carne asada.

This recipe calls for instant white rice infused with aromatic spices, tomato sauce, and fresh cilantro.

It’s bursting with bright, piquant flavors making this dish restaurant-quality delicious!

3. One-Pot Mexican Ground Beef and Rice

This Mexican ground beef and rice is a delicious way to feed a crowd. It’s full of flavor and so easy to make!

It combines fluffy rice, tender beef, melty cheese, and crunchy corn.

The sauce turns this dish into flavor perfection. It’s savory with a spicy kick.

Best of all, it’s a one-pot wonder that’s ready in just 30 minutes!

4. Dirty Rice

The side dish is what makes any meal complete.

But if it’s not paired with something delicious, your main dishes may taste like “meh.”

And dirty rice is the perfect complement to any meal that needs a little extra spice.

It combines ground beef, sausage, chicken livers, veggies, and Cajun spice with fluffy rice.

This recipe calls for any cooked rice. So if you’re in a rush, you can use minute rice for a quick cook time!

5. Easy Stuffed Peppers

Spice up your dinner routine and make some stuffed peppers.

This recipe makes for an absolute flavor bomb. It has a mix of veggies, savory beef, and fluffy rice wrapped up in bell peppers.

A bite bursts with a subtle crunch that holds tender meat and saucy, cheesy rice.

6. Lemon Chickpea and Rice Casserole (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

You’re in the mood for healthy food but don’t want to spend hours cooking. What’s a hungry person to do?

Make this lemon chickpea and rice casserole recipe, of course!

It combines fluffy instant white rice and chickpeas baked in a zesty, creamy broth.

This recipe calls for coconut milk and lemons for a refreshing but satisfying flavor contrast.

7. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

There’s nothing like a warm bowl of gumbo on a chilly day. It’s a classic, comforting treat that’ll fill you up and warm your soul.

This hearty gumbo is loaded with tender chicken chunks, smoky sausage, veggies, and fluffy rice.

It packs a wallop of flavor with a peppery, spicy kick.

Once you smell the aroma of this dish, your mouth will water!

8. 10-Minute Simple Egg Fried Rice

If you’re gearing up for a busy day, this 10-minute egg fried rice is the solution!

It’s easy to make and so satisfying. You’ll be surprised how much flavor comes from just a few simple ingredients.

Made with egg, minute rice, and veggies, it’s an all-in-one meal to keep you full.

You’ll love how the subtle crunch of veggies pairs contrasts the fluffy rice with every bite.

9. Lemon Rice

Brighten up your plain old meals with a side of this lemon rice!

The rice soaks up the lemon’s zesty and refreshing flavors as it simmers.

Plus, it has a wonderful aroma as it sits on your stove.

If you’re in a pinch, you can use instant white rice for this recipe.

The result is a fantastic side dish that will make every day a sunny one.

10. Jambalaya Foil Packet

Have you ever had a jambalaya foil packet? It’s the best thing ever.

Imagine a smoky, spicy, savory dish packed with chicken, sausage, and shrimp. That’s jambalaya.

And if you haven’t had it yet, you’re in for a treat!

This recipe is served in a handy packet freshly cooked from the grill.

It’s perfect for camping or when you just want an easy-to-make dinner.

11. Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet

Who doesn’t love a good skillet meal? It’s the perfect way to enjoy your favorite foods in one delicious dish.

And this hamburger and zucchini rice skillet fit the bill!

It has the meaty goodness of a classic hamburger with a light, firm zucchini bite.

The delicious combo is mixed in fluffy instant rice topped with cheese and spices.

It’s the ultimate instant rice recipe brimming with familiar flavors you love!

12. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are the perfect comfort food. They’re warm, hearty, and delicious.

You feel an explosion of flavors blowing you away when you take a bite.

These little packages of deliciousness feature tender beef, instant rice, egg, and seasonings.

It’s coated with a flavorful tomato-rich sauce and baked to perfection.

It’s a mouthwatering meal that’ll bring the whole family together!

13. Easy Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

This easy stuffed cabbage casserole recipe is a family favorite and always a crowd-pleaser.

Made with ground turkey, rice, and chopped cabbage, it’s brimming with flavors and nutrition.

It’s hearty, filling, and delicious comfort food. The sauce is bright and full of flavor but not too spicy for little mouths. 

This recipe is easy to make even on busy weeknights!

14. 30-Minute Stuffed Pepper Soup 

What if you could have a delicious, fresh soup on your table in 30 minutes? You can with this stuffed pepper soup recipe!

It has the hearty, familiar flavors of stuffed peppers but none of the fuss.

This soup is filled with peppers, beef, and rice simmered in a rich tomato broth.

The flavors are so rich and deep that you’ll feel warm and fuzzy.

15. One-Pot Cheesy Ham & Rice Skillet

Do you know what’s better than ham and cheese? All of them together in one rice skillet!

This delicious one-pot wonder makes for a hearty, comforting treat that’s perfect when you’re feeling lazy.

The cheesy goodness of this dish pairs perfectly with the smoky ham.

The best part? It’s made with Minute brown rice, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

16. Ham and Pineapple Rice

If you ask me what my favorite pizza flavor is, the answer is always Hawaiian.

Ham and pineapple is a controversial combo, but they go amazingly in this recipe!

The ham gives the rice a smoky kick, while the pineapple adds a touch of sweetness.

Each bite offers meaty ham with juicy bursts of pineapple mixed in fluffy rice.

This dish is so good and refreshing that you’ll want to make it every day!

17. Easy Salsa Rice

Add some flavor to your meal with this easy salsa recipe!

This bright and flavorful salsa rice is the perfect side dish to pair with almost anything.

Made with instant rice and salsa, it’s a simple treat that’ll surprise you with deliciousness.

It’s simmered for a couple of minutes until the rice soaks up all the flavors.

What are you waiting for? Grab a bag of rice and a jar of salsa for an easy and delicious meal.

18. Mom’s One-Skillet Sausage and Rice

If you ask me what my go-to meal is for busy weekdays, it’s this dish!

This one-skillet sausage and rice is the ultimate combo if you want a delicious, satisfying meal. 

Made with smoked turkey sausage and instant rice, it’s perfect for busy days.

Plus, it has the best flavor trio: onion, bell peppers, and garlic to elevate the flavors.

It’s like a party every time you take a bite!

19.  Brown Rice with Spinach and Parmesan Cheese

It’s hard to imagine a better way to enjoy your meals than with this side dish!

This recipe is the perfect way to get your dose of greens while keeping things simple.

The spinach adds light, herb flavors, while the cheese brings a rich, creamy finish.

It’s mixed in instant brown rice for an easy treat to get you through the day. 

20. Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos

If you want a meatless meal, go for this cheesy bean and rice burrito!

It packs refried beans, salsa rice, and shredded cheddar cheese wrapped in soft tortillas.

But don’t let its simplicity fool you because this dish is like a flavor bomb.

It has sweet, earthy beans contrasting the bright salsa flavors and sharp cheddar cheese.

This burrito is so good, you’ll surely savor every last bite!

21. Black Bean Burrito Bowls

Black bean burrito bowls are the perfect answer to your dinner woes.

The bowl contains perfectly spiced black beans, fresh spinach, roasted corn, and pickled onions.

This bowl features tortilla strips and pumpkin seeds for added crunch.

It’s served on a bed of fluffy white rice drizzled with creamy, tangy chipotle sauce.

So skip the trip to Chipotle or Barbaritos and make these instead!

22. Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

There are days when you want a bowl of comfort food ready in a flash. And this unstuffed cabbage roll casserole is the perfect thing!

Why spend hours stuffing cabbages in the kitchen when you can just unstuff them?

This dish packs all the flavors of the classic dish but without all the work.

It’s loaded with sliced cabbages, rice, and ground beef covered in bright tomato sauce.

23. Quick Fry Marinated Pork with Rice

Nothing beats the classic combo of pork and fluffy rice if you want a satisfying meal.

And this quick fry marinated pork never fails to impress!

The pork is marinated in a savory sauce mixed with spices for a flavorful bite.

It’s fried to crisp, juicy perfection and sprinkled with sesame seeds for extra crunch.

If you want a quicker cook time, you can use Minute rice for this recipe.

24. Fiesta Chicken

Showcase a festival of flavors in less than 30 minutes with this easy fiesta chicken recipe!

It has chicken, bell peppers, black beans, and instant brown rice piled high in one skillet.

This dish boasts a mix of spices for a flavor that’ll blow you away.

For the finishing touch, it’s topped with melty cheese that makes every bite ooze with deliciousness.

25. Quick Queso Rice

If you’ve got a hankering for some cheesy goodness, look no further. This quick queso rice is the answer!

The bright salsa and cheesy delight coat the rice with saucy, fantastic flavors. It’s the perfect addition to any of your Mexican-inspired meals.

It’s ready in just 5 minutes, thanks to the magic of instant rice!