15 Best Budget-Friendly Rice Recipes
Looking for a delicious and affordable way to make your meals more nutritious with rice?
Check out these rice recipes! Some are gluten-free and also packed with vegetables, eggs, meat, and soy sauce. You can even add your favorite hot sauce to give them some extra flavor.
These recipes are so easy to follow that you’ll be able to make them in no time – without having to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, they’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re cooking for yourself or a large group of friends.
Start cooking up some amazing cheap rice dinners and add more nutrition to your menu today!
Best Budget-Friendly Rice Recipes
Rice is a budget-friendly food that can be used in many different recipes with vegetables, onion, and garlic. Rice dishes are versatile, filling, and easy to cook. You can make a variety of dishes with rice, from simple side dishes to hearty main dinner courses.
Check out our collection of the best budget-friendly rice recipes. We’ve got something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or something more elaborate for a special occasion.
With these recipes, you can enjoy delicious home-cooked food without spending a lot of money.
Spam Fried Rice
Do you love rice but are tired of the same old boring fried rice recipe? Then this Spam Fried Rice is for you! It is an easy and quick meal that is full of flavor and will leave you feeling satisfied.
The seared Spam, fried egg, and fresh or frozen vegetables are cooked together with seasonings to make a delicious and healthy meal. This rice recipe is also an economical way to feed your family or friends a hearty meal and sneak in some veggies with your own fried rice.
Kimchi Fried Rice
If you’re looking for a delicious, hearty fried rice dish that’s full of great taste, then you need to try Kimchi Fried Rice. This dish is perfect for using up any leftover rice you have lying around, and it’s so easy to make.
Simply stir together your rice, kimchi, and any other ingredients you want to add, and you’re good to go. The kimchi gives the dish a wonderfully tangy and spicy flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
Baked Charleston Red Rice and Sausage
Charleston Red Rice and Sausage is the perfect side dish for any Southern meal! This flavorful side dish is made with long-grain rice, bacon, and gets its distinct color from the tomato paste.
Charleston red rice is the perfect accompaniment to any Southern-style entree. Whether you’re serving up some chicken or pulled pork, this dish will have your guests coming back for seconds!
Veggie Fried Rice
Fried rice is a take-out staple that can be hard to replicate at home… until now. Made with fresh or frozen vegetables, scrambled eggs, and rice, this Veggie Fried Rice is healthy and flavorful.
Plus, it’s easy to customize this vegetable fried rice recipe and make it a rice bowl with your favorite frozen vegetables. Want frozen peas or carrots? No problem, use them! You could even put frozen broccoli or cauliflower if that is what you want!
Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner option or a side using vegetables to take to a potluck, this Veggie Fried Rice recipe is sure to please. This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights because it only takes 20 minutes or less to make.
Easy Red Beans and Rice
Looking for a cheap and easy recipe to feed your family? Look no further than this Easy Red Beans and Rice recipe! This simple dish is a great way to get your daily dose of protein and fiber, and it’s also incredibly affordable.
But don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you – this dish is packed with flavor! The beans and rice are perfectly seasoned with a punch of chili-like flavor that will have your family coming back for more.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is delicious and creamy and is one of those meals that is sure to please everyone at the table. Tender chicken, shredded cheese, rice, and carrots come together in minutes.
Simply add all of the ingredients to your Instant Pot and let it do the work for you. In no time at all, you’ll have a hot and hearty meal that is sure to become a family favorite.
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
The Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight. The super simple ingredients are likely already in your pantry, and there are tons of substitution options.
It can be put together ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days prior to baking. Plus, it freezes great!
The unbaked hearty casserole can be frozen to cook later. Just take the rice casserole out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight to cook the next day!
Slow Cooker Pork Chop and Rice
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, hearty meal that the whole family will love, look no further than Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Rice with Cheese. This easy recipe is a great way to jazz up pork chops and create a filling, nutritious rice meal.
Simply add all of the ingredients (including the rice) to your slow cooker and let it do its magic. In just a few hours, you’ll have tender, juicy pork chops and fluffy rice topped with cheesy goodness.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Burritos
With this easy Slow Cooker Black Bean Burritos, you can have a healthy and delicious meal any night of the week! These bean and rice burritos are packed with fiber and protein and are perfect for anyone following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Hearty black beans and brown rice are slow-cooked with aromatic spices, then wrapped in a soft tortilla and smothered in your favorite toppings, like sour cream.
We love our Black Bean and Rice Burrito with avocado and black olives, but feel free to get creative and add whatever you like to this great meal!
One Pot Chicken and Rice
One Pot Chicken and Rice is the perfect meal for any night of the week. It’s easy to make, and only requires one pot – so clean-up is a breeze!
It is packed with flavor, thanks to the chicken, carrots, onions, and rice all working together. Plus, it’s healthy and hearty, so you’ll be satisfied after just one serving of chicken and rice.
Whether you’re Feeding a family or looking for a rice meal to take to work or school, One Pot Chicken and Rice is a perfect choice.
Healthy Mushroom Fried Rice
Healthy Mushroom Fried Rice is a vegetable fried rice that is cheap, fast, and easy to make, and it tastes good too. Made with fresh mushrooms, rice, onions, celery, and a variety of seasonings, it’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Plus, it’s all made in one pan for easy cleanup. You can use leftover rice if you want! Ready in just 15 minutes, this is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. So go ahead and give it a try – your family will thank you and want it added to your weekly meals list!
Mexican Fried Rice
Love the rice at the Mexican restaurant? Then you’ll love this Mexican Fried Rice! It’s easy to make and full of flavor.
The secret ingredient in this whole dish is tomato bouillon, which gives the fried rice its characteristic orange color.
You can find tomato bouillon at any grocery store for around $2. So why not try something new and cook your own Mexican Fried Rice tonight?
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is an amazing recipe that is so simple to cook. It only takes a couple of minutes to assemble and then you can just set it and forget it.
The green salsa gives the chicken a great flavor and it can be served with cooked rice making it a complete meal. This is a great recipe for busy weeknights or for meal prep.
Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas
This Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas is the perfect one-pan meal for any night of the week. It’s packed with flavor and nutrients and comes together in just under an hour.
This one-pan risotto is made with white meat chicken, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and peas, all simmered in a flavorful chicken or vegetable broth.
The rice soaks up all the flavors as it cooks, creating a creamy and satisfying food that will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Whether you’re feeding a family or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
Old Fashioned Rice Pudding
Old Fashioned Rice Pudding will take you back to your childhood.
This old-fashioned rice pudding is the perfect comfort food.
It’s creamy and delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness. The recipe is easy to follow, and the pudding can be served warm or cold.
Made with plain rice that is cooked on the stovetop, the cooked rice then goes into the oven to finish. The pudding can be served as is or topped with your favorite toppings.
Whether you’re looking for a classic dessert to take to a potluck, or you’re simply in the mood for something with a nostalgic taste, this rice pudding recipe is sure to hit the spot.
Final Takeaway
Eating budget-friendly meals doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, using rice makes it easy to turn humble ingredients into a delicious meal.
Fluffy white rice or even sticky rice can be a versatile canvas that can be used to create sweet or savory dishes with flavors like coconut milk, soy sauce, sesame oil, onion, and garlic.
Experiment with different meat and ingredients to find your favorite combination that you will want to eat over and over again. And don’t forget to add plenty of vegetables that the recipe calls for to add extra flavor and nutrition.
With these budget-friendly recipes, eating on a tight budget has never been so delicious!
