17 Fantastic Rice Dishes from Around the World to Make for Dinner
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
Forget about rice as a plain side dish that you serve with your mains, I will show you how to make rice the star of the show with these delicious rice dishes from around the world. From meat-based, pescatarian, vegan or vegetarian, there is bit for everyone to enjoy. Layers of rich flavours, perfect texture and incredible combo of ingredients, and you will enjoy a homemade dinner like no other. They are all super easy to make, the only hard bit will be deciding what to cook first.
Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree
A delicious twist on the classic Indian dish, this Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree with boiled eggs is a delicious midweek meal that goes down a treat with the whole family. It’s mildly spiced, and the smokiness of the fish adds so much flavour.
GET THE RECIPE: Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree
Leftover Pork Fried Rice
This Leftover Pork Fried Rice made with leftover roast pork, leftover rice, frozen mixed vegetables, and scrambled egg is a delicious 15-minute dish that comes together really easily. Turn the popular Asian fried rice into a frugal dinner recipe that the whole family would love.
GET THE RECIPE: Leftover Pork Fried Rice
Bacon Risotto
This creamy Italian Bacon Risotto is a comforting dish that goes down so well with the whole family. It’s a quick and easy dinner idea that only requires a few simple ingredients. No fuss, one pot only, what a delicious dish this is!
GET THE RECIPE: Bacon Risotto
Sarmale – Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Romania’s most iconic dish, these Sarmale are stuffed cabbage rolls made with ground meat and rice, herbs, paprika and seasoning, rolled in cabbage leaves or sauerkraut, and cooked in a light tomato sauce until tender. It’s a traditional recipe at Christmas, but also all year round.
GET THE RECIPE: Sarmale
Stuffed Peppers with Mince and Rice
Another classic Romanian recipe, these Stuffed Peppers with Mince and Rice are a healthy and really easy dinner recipe. The bell peppers are stuffed with a mince and rice mixture, then boiled with the lids on until the peppers are tender, and the rice and beef and fully cooked.
GET THE RECIPE: Stuffed Peppers with Mince and Rice
Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms
Chicken and rice are a delicious combo in so many dishes around the world. My version of Oven Baked Chicken and Rice with Mushrooms is a complete dinner recipe to be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s made with chicken drumsticks, basmati rice and closed-cup mushrooms, and cooked in chicken stock for a wonderful dish.
GET THE RECIPE: Oven Baked Chicken and Rice
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Another popular Italian dish, my creamy Mushroom Risotto is made without wine for a quick and easy vegetarian dinner recipe that is sure to impress everyone. Made with fresh mushrooms, parmesan and fresh parsley, this dish is comfort food at its best.
GET THE RECIPE: Mushroom Risotto
Chicken Biryani
A super popular Indian dish, this easy Chicken Biryani is a delicious chicken dinner that is bursting with amazing flavours. Spiced rice cooked to perfection and chicken cooked in fragrant, but mild Indian spices are combined in one fantastic dish that everyone in the family can enjoy.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Biryani
Beef Pilau
My take in the traditional Middle Eastern dish, this Beef Pilau or Beef Pilaf /Plov is made with basmati rice and potatoes, and cooked in beef stock and aromatic spices for a hearty dinner recipe that is incredibly fragrant and delicious. A fantastic one-pot recipe that cooks in no time.
GET THE RECIPE: Beef Pilau
Ukrainian Holubsti
Similar to the Romanian Sarmale, these Ukrainian Holubsti are stuffed cabbage rolls made with ground beef and rice to create a comforting meal for dinner. It might not be a quick-cook dish, but it’s so delicious!
GET THE RECIPE: Ukrainian Holubsti
Sausage Rice
This One-Pot Sausage Rice is a quick and easy dinner idea that sums up what comfort food is all about. It’s a cheap meal that uses simple ingredients, but it’s full of flavour and it goes down well with the whole family.
GET THE RECIPE: Sausage Rice
Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya
Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya with a touch of cajun seasoning – a hearty midweek meal that can be on the table in about half an hour or so, and it’s all cooked in one pot. Quick and easy to make, and big on flavours.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
A comforting vegetarian dish, this Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto is creamy and nutritious, just perfect for a nice dinner. It’s a great recipe that goes down well with everyone, and can be enjoyed all year round.
GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Butternut Squash
Chicken Egg Fried Rice
A super quick Chinese Chicken Egg Fried Rice recipe that is great for using up leftover rice. No need for take-away tonight, we’ve got Chinese at home. It might be a simple recipe, but it certainly is full of amazing flavours.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Egg Fried Rice
Chicken Plov
A fabulous Uzbeki Chicken Plov cooked in delicious spices, a great dinner idea that will comfort you like nothing else. Chicken and rice are such a wonderful combo, and this dish ticks all the boxes when it comes to big flavours.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Plov
Seafood Paella
My take on the classic Spanish dish, this Seafood Paella is made with mixed frozen seafood and a touch of turmeric for a quick and easy dish for a delicious midweek dinner. It’s hearty and full of colour, and on the table in 30 minutes or so.
GET THE RECIPE: Seafood Paella
Middle Eastern Dolma
Stuffed Grape Leaves, my take on the Middle Eastern Dolma recipe, a fantastic dish that brings the whole family around the table. It’s a simple vegetarian that uses a filling of rice and vegetables cooked in a vegetable broth of lemon, olive oil and tomato paste.
GET THE RECIPE: Middle Eastern Dolma