6 Easy Rice Recipes For Dinner Side Dishes

Rice is a kitchen staple that can be transformed into so many delicious dishes, making it the perfect foundation for many dinner ideas.

The good news is that rice is versatile enough to suit any palate. From hearty comfort foods to light and refreshing side dishes, there’s no need for plain, boring rice on your table.

Here are 6 easy and flavorful rice recipes that will add excitement to your dinner routine without taking too much time or effort. Let’s give that plain rice a makeover!

Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe

• Ingredients: Butter, garlic, long grain white rice, chicken broth, milk, parmesan cheese, parsley.
• Mandy starts by melting butter and cooking garlic, being careful not to burn it. She adds the rice to coat it in garlic butter, then incorporates salt, pepper, chicken broth, and milk.
• The mixture is brought to a boil and cooked on low for 20 minutes. Once done, she stirs in parmesan cheese and parsley.
• Mandy tastes the rice, commenting on its creamy texture and strong garlic parmesan flavor, perfect as a side for steak.

Brown Rice Recipe

• Ingredients: White rice, French onion soup, beef consommé (or beef broth).
• This is a family recipe passed down from her grandmother. White rice is used but turns brown after cooking in French onion soup and beef consommé. It’s an easy, no-fuss dish that’s baked in the oven at 350°F for 50-60 minutes.

Cilantro Lime Rice

• Ingredients: Jasmine rice, water, bay leaf, cilantro, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil.
• Mandy prepares jasmine rice with water, salt, and a bay leaf. After cooking, she fluffs the rice and adds cilantro, lime, lemon, and a surprising teaspoon of orange juice for a fresh, bright flavor. Olive oil is also mixed in for a light texture.

Lemon Herb Rice

• Ingredients: Long grain white rice, butter (or coconut oil), lemon zest, basil, oregano, chicken stock, lemon juice.
• Mandy zests a lemon and adds herbs (basil, oregano) to the rice, cooking it in chicken stock with butter for extra flavor. After simmering, she adds the juice of the zested lemon to give it a bright, citrusy finish. Her family loves the vibrant, tangy taste, and she highlights how simple it is to make.

Dirty Rice Recipe

• Ingredients: Italian sausage (or chorizo), onion, bell pepper, garlic, paprika, rice, white wine, chicken stock, tomatoes, parsley.
• Mandy prepares dirty rice by browning Italian sausage, sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers, then adding paprika, white wine, and chicken stock. She finishes by mixing in rice, tomatoes, and parsley. The dish is flavorful, with a hearty, spicy kick from the sausage.

Mexican Rice

• Ingredients: White rice, chicken broth, tomato sauce, garlic salt, cumin, chili powder.
• The rice is first toasted in oil until translucent, then cooked with chicken broth, tomato sauce, and seasonings (garlic salt, cumin, chili powder). Mandy describes it as the perfect accompaniment to Tex-Mex or burrito bowls.