Leftover Rice? 10 Dinners You Can Make in 15 Minutes

A tub of leftover rice in the fridge is not a sad afterthought. It is the best possible starting point for a fast dinner. The grains have dried out and firmed up overnight, which is exactly what you want. Fresh rice turns to mush when you fry it. Day-old rice crisps.

Almost everything below comes together in about 15 minutes because the slow part, cooking the rice, is already done. Have a look at what else you have: an egg, a vegetable, a tin of beans, a bit of cheese, or a splash of soy sauce will each point you toward a different bowl.

Get the Rice Ready First

1. Take the rice out of the fridge and break up the clumps with your fingers or a fork so it fries in separate grains.
2. Get every other ingredient chopped and within reach. These dinners move fast once the pan is hot.
3. Use a wide pan and let it get properly hot before the rice goes in. Crowding and low heat are why fried rice goes soggy.
4. Reheat until steaming hot throughout, not just warm on the outside.

1. Real Fried Rice

The dinner leftover rice was made for. Skip the takeaway and make a better one in less time than delivery.

1. Heat oil in a wide pan until it shimmers. Scramble an egg in it, then push it to the side.
2. Add the cold rice and press it into the pan. Leave it alone for a minute so the bottom crisps.
3. Toss in any chopped vegetable and a pinch of salt, stir-frying until hot.
4. Splash in soy sauce around the edge of the pan so it sizzles, then toss everything together.
5. Finish with a drop of toasted sesame oil and sliced spring onion if you have it.

2. Crispy Rice Cakes

Press leftover rice into patties and pan-fry them for a crunchy outside and a soft middle. Top them with almost anything.

1. Mix the rice with a beaten egg and a little flour or cheese so it holds together.
2. Shape into flat patties about a centimetre thick.
3. Fry in a thin layer of hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes a side until deep golden and crisp.
4. Top with a fried egg, a spoon of yoghurt, or anything saucy.

3. 10-Minute Rice Soup

Comforting, gentle, and almost free. This is what to make when you want something warm with very little effort.

1. Bring stock or seasoned water to a simmer with a slice of ginger or a clove of garlic.
2. Add the leftover rice and simmer for 5 minutes until it softens and the broth thickens slightly.
3. Stir in a beaten egg in a thin stream, or drop in some greens.
4. Season with soy or salt and finish with a drizzle of oil.

4. Stuffed Peppers and Quick Bakes

Leftover rice is the filler that makes a baked dinner feel substantial without much work.

1. Mix the rice with a tin of beans or some chopped vegetables and a spoon of any sauce.
2. Stuff it into halved peppers or spread it in a small dish.
3. Top with cheese and bake at 200C for 20 minutes until hot and bubbling.
4. If you are in a hurry, microwave the filling first and just melt the cheese under the grill.

6 More Fast Ideas

• Rice bowl: warm rice, a fried egg, soy, and any quick-cooked vegetable on top.
• Burrito-style wrap with rice, beans, cheese, and hot sauce in a tortilla.
• Rice and lentil pan with cumin and a squeeze of lemon for a cheap, filling plate.
• Cheesy rice fritters for a snack or a side, just rice, egg, and cheese fried in spoonfuls.
• Tomato rice: fry the rice with a spoon of tomato paste and a pinch of smoked paprika.
• Rice pudding for dessert: simmer the leftover rice in milk with a little sugar and cinnamon.