Risotto and Rice Recipes

Updated

Collage of four rice dishes: wild mushroom risotto, jambalaya, chicken biryani and saffron risotto

Rice dishes from around the world, from a creamy wild mushroom risotto and golden saffron risotto to Creole jambalaya, chicken biryani, Korean fried rice and bibimbap, Filipino garlic rice and a baked rice pudding.

Each kind of rice cooks a little differently. Risotto uses short-grain Arborio, stirred with warm broth until creamy; biryani and Mexican rice use long-grain rice that stays separate; and fried rice is best made with cold, day-old rice.

13 recipes

Risotto

  • Wild Mushroom Risotto with Porcini and Truffle Oil1 hr 5 min total | 6 servings

    Creamy Arborio rice cooked slowly in warm broth with portobello, cremini and dried porcini mushrooms, finished with Parmesan, parsley and a drizzle of truffle oil. Serves 6.

  • Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)40 min total | 4 to 6 servings

    Creamy golden risotto made with Arborio rice, white wine, saffron and broth, stirred until silky and finished with butter and Parmesan. The classic partner for osso buco. Serves 4 to 6.

Rice dinners

  • Creole Jambalaya1 hr 10 min total | 6 to 8 servings

    A one-pot New Orleans rice dish of andouille, chicken and shrimp cooked with tomatoes, the holy trinity and Creole spices. Serves 6 to 8.

  • Chicken Biryani2 hr 10 min total | 6 servings

    Layers of spiced, yogurt-marinated chicken and fragrant basmati rice with fried onions, saffron and mint, baked together in one pot. Serves 6.

  • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice50 min total | 6 servings

    Seasoned chicken thighs and long-grain rice cooked together in the Instant Pot with onion, garlic, broth and peas for a one-pot dinner. Serves 6.

  • Kimchi Fried Rice25 min total | 2 to 3 servings

    Day-old rice stir-fried with chopped ripe kimchi, bacon, onion and a spoonful of gochujang, finished with sesame oil and topped with a runny fried egg. Ready in 25 minutes; serves 2 to 3.

  • Spicy Clam Bibimbap (Kkomak Bibimbap)1 hr 5 min total | 4 servings

    Briefly boiled clams chopped and tossed with soy sauce, red and green chiles, garlic, gochugaru and sesame, served over rice with garlic chives, onion and crumbled seaweed. Serves 4.

  • Hoppin' John (New Year's Black-Eyed Peas)1 hr 15 min total | 6 servings

    Black-eyed peas simmered with smoked ham hock or bacon, onion, celery and pepper, served over rice. The Southern New Year's Day dish for good luck; serves 6.

Rice sides

  • Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo)50 min total | 6 servings

    Fluffy red rice toasted in oil until golden, then simmered with a blended tomato, onion and garlic broth. The classic side for enchiladas and fajitas. Serves 6.

  • Sinangag (Filipino Garlic Fried Rice)25 min total | 4 servings

    Day-old rice fried with plenty of golden garlic and a little salt: the Filipino breakfast rice served with eggs and longganisa, tocino or bistek. Serves 4.

  • Easy Baked Rice Casserole50 min total

    A hands-off baked rice of Uncle Ben's rice, onion soup mix, soy sauce, butter and mushrooms in boiling water, baked at 350°F until the liquid is absorbed.

Soup and dessert

  • Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup45 min total | 6 servings

    A thick, creamy chicken and wild rice soup made with shredded chicken breast, a quick-cooking wild rice blend and a buttery roux. About 45 minutes start to finish.

  • Baked Rice Pudding1 hr 5 min total | 1 (8 x 8-inch) pan

    Old-fashioned baked rice pudding: cooked rice in a custard of eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla, baked in an 8-inch pan.

Common questions

What rice is used for risotto?
Short-grain Italian rice such as Arborio, which releases starch as it is stirred and makes the risotto creamy. Carnaroli and Vialone Nano work too.
Why use day-old rice for fried rice?
Cold cooked rice is drier and firmer, so it fries into separate, slightly crisp grains instead of turning mushy. See Kimchi Fried Rice and Sinangag.
How long does cooked rice keep?
Cool it quickly and refrigerate within 1 hour; it keeps 3 to 4 days. Reheat until steaming hot.

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