White rice is probably the most common rice variety sitting in the pantry of many households. Its neutral flavor and slender grains, that cook up with a delightfully fluffy texture, make it the perfect grain for a wide array of dishes across a variety of different cultures. Whether combined in a dish with chicken, as the base in a sweet rice pudding or enjoyed on its own, you can never go wrong preparing instant white rice for yourself and your family.
Whether you’re looking to explore new dishes or need some inspiration to step out of your comfort zone, we’ve put together a selection of the best recipes you can make with this beloved grain.
How to Cook White Rice in Minutes
There are several methods to cook white rice at home, and depending on the equipment available and the time that you have on your hands, different methods may work better for different people.
When speed is a priority, it’s hard to beat Minute Instant Rice and Minute Rice Cups to get delicious rice at home in a fraction of the time. Minute Instant White Rice is ready in just 5 minutes on the stove or in the microwave, and pre-portioned Minute Rice Cups are ready in just one minute in the microwave—perfect for a quick meal or when you’re on the go.
Stove Method with Minute Instant White Rice
This is your go-to when preparing a meal for more than one person or meal prepping for the week. All you need is a box of Minute Instant White Rice, a pot, water, 5 minutes and a stove. There are just three simple steps to follow to get fool-proof, tasty white rice every time.
- Step 1: Boil water.
- Step 2: Add rice, cover and remove from heat.
- Step 3: Wait 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.
Minute Instant White Rice can also be prepared in the microwave. Simply place water and rice in a microwave-safe bowl and cover, then microwave on high for the allotted time based on the amount of servings you’re preparing. Wait 5 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed, fluff with a fork.
Microwave Method with Minute Rice Cups
Minute White Rice Cups are a lifesaver when you’re in a rush, offering a versatile base to a number of meals in just one minute. Try them for fluffy white rice, conveniently portioned into single serving cups, that you can heat in the microwave and enjoy on the go.
- Step 1: Remove film from the rice cup and place in the microwave.
- Step 2: Heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir and serve immediately.
It’s as simple as that!
Minute Rice makes it easy to prepare white rice in just a few minutes, taking the hassle out of cooking. For a deeper dive into the many other ways you can prepare rice, along with tips and tricks to get perfect rice every time, check out our blog post, Learn How to Cook Rice.
Quick White Rice Meals for Any Time of Day
Now that you’ve got a few fool-proof methods to make fluffy white rice, let’s talk about whipping up complete meals with these grains. White rice is the perfect base for many meals, from family dinners to quick lunches on the go and even breakfasts and desserts! Check out the recipes below for some inspiration for all the ways you can use white rice.
Breakfast Scramble
Never thought about having rice for breakfast? You’d be surprised by how tasty it can be. Pairing white rice with eggs and a few other ingredients can lead to a filling meal that is sure to get your day going on the right foot. Try this Breakfast Scramble for a quick and easy breakfast that comes together with just four ingredients: egg, sausage, cheese and our quick-cooking Minute White Rice Cups.
Chicken and Rice
There’s no combination more classic than chicken and rice. These two staple ingredients can be prepared together in endless ways to make delicious meals that are reliably filling and quick to prepare. Try these simple chicken and rice recipes for your next dinner:
- 15 Minute Chicken and Rice Dinner: This meal is a breeze to prepare on busy weeknights thanks to the speed and convenience of Minute Instant White Rice, and uses just one skillet for easy cleanup.
- Quick Chicken Stir Fry: Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is ideal for using up any leftover vegetables you may have on hand and turning them into something delicious.
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps: These lettuce wraps from recipe creator Christina Patricio are a fun and simple meal the whole family can enjoy with their hands.
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Recipe with Broccoli: This simple dish marries chicken and rice with another classic combination of cheese and broccoli for a delicious and filling one-skillet meal.
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Rice: For more cheesy goodness, try this dish from recipe creator Ashley Tutt. It combines Minute White Rice Cups with sautéed onions, chicken broth and parmesan for a decadent base to this dish.
Casseroles
Casseroles are some of the best recipes to effortlessly whip up something for dinner. Simply add the ingredients to the dish and let your oven do the work!
This cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is comfort food at its finest, packed with broccoli, Minute Instant White Rice and plenty of cheese, topped with bread cubes for added texture. For a quick and delicious casserole perfect for making ahead of time, try this Chicken & Rice Enchilada Casserole from recipe creator Amanda Warren. All of your favorite enchilada ingredients are all combined into one delicious casserole you can meal prep to enjoy during a busy week.
More Delicious Dinners
Thanks to its versatile flavor, white rice is at home in many different kinds of recipes and cuisines. Use white rice to make takeout favorites at home, like in this Mongolian Beef recipe from creator Meg Ashworth. With quick-cooking Minute Instant White Rice, this dish can come together in just half an hour—perfect for when you’re craving the taste of takeout at home.
Minute Instant White Rice is enhanced with bold, tangy flavors in this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork recipe. The best part? The slow cooker does the work for you! Simply add pork, onions, chicken broth, sweet and sour sauce and garlic into your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours. When dinnertime approaches, add Minute Instant White Rice, pineapple and green bell pepper to the slow cooker for another 20 minutes to let the rice cook and all the flavors meld together before digging in!
Stuffed peppers are a flavorful and colorful dish that the whole family is sure to love. This Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe is filled with ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, zesty salad dressing mix, and Minute Instant White Rice, all stuffed into colorful bell peppers for a flavorful dinner everyone will enjoy.
Decadent Desserts
Along with breakfast, lunch and dinner, white rice is a great staple to have on hand for desserts! You can’t go wrong with rice pudding, and Minute Rice’s Classic Rice Pudding recipe is creamy, sweet and indulgent. This classic recipe uses raisins, but you can make it your own by incorporating other fresh or dried fruits, such as dried cherries, dried apricots, chopped pineapple, peaches or sweetened dried cranberries.
For a quicker dessert, this Layered Chocolate-Caramel Rice Pudding Cake is ready in under 10 minutes whenever your sweet tooth strikes. A Minute White Rice Cup is combined with cream and decadent dulce de leche, then topped with chocolate mug cake mix, peanut butter and chocolate crème sandwich cookies for layers of deliciously rich flavors.
White Rice: The Perfect Pantry Staple
White rice is definitely an ingredient you want to keep on hand. It pairs beautifully with so many different flavors and cuisines, there’s no end to what you can make with white rice.
For preparing quick and simple white rice at home that’s delicious every time, stock your pantry with Minute Instant White Rice and Minute White Rice Cups. Check out Minute Rice’s other rice offerings, including brown rice and aromatic rice, as well as our many flavored Minute Rice Cups to add endless possibilities to mealtime.
