From aromatic Asian stir-fried rice to creamy Italian risotto, rice can be the star of many mid-week dinners that are both affordable and easy to make. Whether you’re a busy home cook looking for quick and tasty meal ideas or simply a rice enthusiast, there are countless rice recipes that can be whipped up in no time for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Explore some of our favourite rice dishes and recipes that are perfect for mid-week dinners, providing you with inspiration for simple yet delicious meals.
22 of our Favourite Rice Recipes For Simple Dinners
Fruity Rice Salad With Kale
This rice based salad is sure to leave you feeling satisfied.
Katsu Curry Style Crispy Tofu with Rice
Love the taste of Chicken Katsu but going meat-free? Try this delicious Katsu Curry Style Crispy Tofu with Rice for a delicious vegetarian alternative.
Curried Rice Salad
This go-to summer salad is the perfect easy dish for your next family BBQ or entertaining event. With apples, capsicum, celery and toasted pinenuts this dish is sure to pack a crunch.
Indian Spiced Biryani Rice
A one pot wonder. Biryani is an Indian dish that includes rice and either lamb, chicken or vegetables infused with beautiful spices and served with a yoghurt sauce. Known as the ‘royal’ dish amongst all the exotic rice dishes.
Mixed Bean & Rice Salad with Curry Leaf & Nigella Seed Dressing
Irresistible when picked fresh from the garden or chosen from your local farmer’s market, a medley of beans are at the heart of this vegan rice salad – a perfect light lunch for the hotter months.
Japanese Rice Salad with Avocado & Tea Eggs
Dirty Rice with Pulled Pork & Louisiana Hot Sauce
This New Orleans style dirty rice is made with melt-in-your-mouth slow cooked pulled pork and topped with Louisiana hot sauce. Packed full of Cajun flavours and spices, this is a dish that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice
Put a twist on your usual fried rice with this Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice with Macadamia Nuts.
Brown Rice Risotto with Braised Celery & Celery Leaf Salsa Verde
This Brown Rice Risotto with Braised Celery & Celery Leaf Salsa Verde is perfect to mix up your dinner tonight. Humble celery and celeriac are underused in many kitchens but they have the potential to be stars if given the chance. Try roasting them or making them the feature of a risotto dish to see how they can really shine.
Roast Chicken with Pesto Risotto Stuffing & Cheesy Field Mushrooms
For an Italian take on the classic roast chicken, serve with a tasty pesto risotto stuffing and cheesy field mushrooms.
Osso Bucco with Risotto Alla Milanese
Serve this classic Italian dish of veal Osso Bucco or beef shank on a bed of Risotto Alla Milanese and sprinkle with gremolatta.
Chilli-Roasted Chicken Salad with Red Rice Recipe
Leftovers have never tasted better with this delicious Chilli-Roasted Chicken Salad with Red Rice Recipe. With tender pieces of chicken, crunchy cucumber and flavoursome rice this dish is vibrant lunchtime treat.
White Wine Risotto with Chilli & Ocean Perch
In ocean perch you’ll find a fish with beautifully textured, delicious white fillets that are superb in everything from curries and stews to this sumptuous risotto.
Persian Tahchin – Saffron Rice with Pomegranate Braised Chicken
Tahchin is a Persian savoury dish made of rice, yogurt, saffron, egg, and in this case pomegranate braised ‘Fesenjan’ chicken. Slowly cooked for over an hour in a pan, the dish is inverted onto the plate to serve, revealing the beautiful golden crust of the rice.
Salmon, Pea and Lemon Risotto Recipe
This simple lemon risotto recipe is tasty and seasonal. A great meal that feeds a family of four with plenty of leftovers that can be turned into arancini for tomorrows lunch.
Not-Butter Chicken with Brown Basmati Pilaf
This lighter, dairy-free take on a classic butter chicken is from Bryony and Harry Lancaster’s new cookbook Egg of the Universe. They prefer to make the dish using ghee, but if you need to be strictly dairy-free, use coconut oil instead. Yes, this dish is different to the original but it’s still great, and even better after a day or two, so feel free to make it in advance. It also pays to start this recipe a day ahead to soak the cashews and the rice, if you like.
Kedgeree With Smoked Salmon
This mouth-watering kedgeree with eggs and smoked salmon is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Fast and simple to make, this versatile dish would suit any meal time – but we think it’s perfect for a Sunday brunch.
Crispy Rice with Squid & Tom Yum Dressing Recipe
Forgo your usual salad option and try this delicious Crispy Rice with Squid & Tom Yum Dressing Recipe. The combination of crispy rice, tender squid and flavoursome tom yum dressing is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Grilled Mushroom Risotto
A mushroom risotto can be made in many different ways. The flavour will deepen depending on what kind of mushrooms you have and whether they are introduced at the very beginning of cooking or just added at the end.
Butterflied Tandoori Chicken with Rice Salad
This beautifully seasoned chicken is the perfect mid-week meal.
Curried Sticky Lamb Ribs with Lemon Rice
These sticky ribs are designed to share and are sure to become a crowd-pleaser at your next barbecue.
Prawn & Chorizo Red Rice
This one-pot-wonder will liven up any weeknight dinner table. Serve with fresh coriander and lashings of lime for a fragrant and seriously satisfying dish.
