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    Home » Blog » Side Dishes

    Easy Rice Recipes with Pantry Ingredients

    Published: Mar 18, 2020 · Modified: Jan 6, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Check out these easy rice side dish recipes that use pantry ingredients to make a simple addition to your weeknight dinner or special meal.

    A photo collage shows a scoop of rice being cooked and 3 recipes you could make.

    Rice side dishes are the perfect addition to a dinner plan that includes chicken, fish, shrimp, turkey, and pork.

    I especially love to serve a rice side dish when my main meal has a delicious sauce that the rice could soak up.

    Stock up on a big budget-friendly bag of rice at the store and you can turn it into several easy side dishes for dinner that will keep things delicious and interesting.

    I pulled together some of our very favorite easy rice side dish recipes that use items you likely have in your pantry right now! These are the recipes our family turns to again and again.

    Easy Rice Side Dish Recipes

    Whether you are using your Instant Pot or making the rice on the stovetop, these easy rice side dish recipes are so tasty you'll be looking for ways to use them again and again.

    Easiest Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

    Use water or chicken stock to boost the flavor. Add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil for a little bit more flavor. Season with salt and pepper.

    We love using our Instant Pot to make rice in a pinch. You can find all the instructions in this Instant Pot jasmine rice recipe.

    Easy Chicken Fried Rice

    I make the rice in the Instant Pot earlier in the day and then just assemble the final dish in minutes at dinnertime. If you don't have an IP, just make the rice however you prefer but leave enough time to get it done. The final recipe is super quick and easy. 

    I love fried rice because you can add whatever veggies you have on hand. You can toss in some cooked shredded chicken from leftovers or a little bit of diced pork, or even some roasted shrimp. This can be a side dish or a main dish. Whatever you need.

    There's a pineapple-cashew fried rice recipe in my cookbook, too.

    Chicken Alfredo Rice Casserole

    If you want an all-in-one rice casserole, this alfredo chicken version is one of my family's favorites. We love the sweet peas and red peppers in the mix.

    Skip the chicken and the recipe works great as a side dish.

    Baked Red Rice with Bacon

    This southern classic is a great way to sneak in a few more veggies for the picky eaters. The red color comes from canned tomatoes and you mix in celery, onions, and peppers.

    You can add bits of ham or bacon to the recipe to make it a heartier dish or leave it meatless for a simple side.

    Homemade Mexican Rice Kids Love

    If you run out of tortillas, a big batch of Mexican rice will help you make burrito bowls for the family instead.

    It's also a great way to bulk up the taco dinner so you can stretch the tortillas you do have a little farther. If you don't have fresh veggies, you can absolutely use frozen or canned. Just throw in whatever you have.

    Instant Pot Herb Butter Rice

    You can upgrade your plain white rice to this easy herb butter rice with a mix of my favorite dried herbs and some butter. It's a simple rice pilaf that pairs well with delicate fish or chicken recipes.

    Instant Pot Sticky Butter Rice

    If you don't like making rice in a pot, you'll love this recipe. You mix plain white rice with a can of French Onion soup, beef stock, and butter and then you BAKE it. 

    The end result is a slightly crispy rice dish that is comfort food in a pan. This is one of my very favorites.

    I have an Instant Pot variation for this recipe, too.

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      Wild Rice Pilaf {Instant Pot or Stovetop}
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      Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad {Copycat Recipe}
    • A white bowl filled with homemade spaetzle sprinkled with parsley.
      German Spaetzle in Butter Sauce
    • A white plate has a pile of fresh baked buttermilk drop biscuits.
      Easy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits {4 Flavor Variations}

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Easy pasta recipes using pantry ingredients you have on hand says:
      August 24, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      […] Easy rice recipes using things from your pantry you have on hand right now […]

      Reply
    2. Easy pantry recipes for dinner using ingredients you already have on hand says:
      March 18, 2020 at 1:22 pm

      […] Get all the easy rice recipes here. […]

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

    More about me →

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