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11 Steamed Rice Recipe Ideas For Easy Weeknight Family Dinners

Rice is the ultimate side dish to make with any dinner because it is budget friendly, easy to make, and it is one of the most versatile ingredients for making easy weeknight dinners for your family.


how to make rice on the stovetop quickly with lid

Making rice on the stovetop is easy when you understand the perfect ratio for making fluffy rice.


With white rice you want to do a ratio of 2:1 meaning 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.


Typically, when feeding a family of 4 you can make just 1 cup of rice and you will have plenty to serve for dinner plus leftovers for the next day.


These leftovers can be completely transformed into something new and exciting for next day lunches making it a win for cooking healthy meals for your family.


rice recipe ideas for busy weeknight dinners

How To Cook Rice On The Stove Top?


To cook rice perfectly each time follow along our with this step by step process for making delicious flavorful rice easily on the stovetop without a rice cooker.


  1. Boil 2 cups of water in a small nonstick saucepan seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt, a dash of pepper, 1 chicken bouillon and 1 tablespoon of butter.

  2. When water is boiling add in 1 cup of white long grain rice.

  3. Continue to boil until water has mostly evaporated and surface bubbles can be seen along the top of the rice.

  4. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook with the lid on for an additional 30 minutes or until rice is cooked through and fluffy.


white rice recipe idea for dinner

Easy Tips For Cooking Rice Successfully:

  1. To prevent rice from sticking consider using a nonstick pot and adding a splash of olive oil to the bottom of your pan before adding the water.

  2. Water should be about an inch above the rice.

  3. Only add rice to boiling or very warm water to avoid overcooked mushy rice.

  4. Do not cook rice on too high of heat otherwise you will end up with undercooked rice.

  5. Remember add rice to low boiling water then reduce the heat at just the right time and place the lid on allowing the steam to cook each rice grain completely.

  6. Avoid stirring rice too much, a quick stir when you first drop the rice into the water is enough.

  7. Allow rice to rest and fluff with a fork before serving.

  8. Add additional seasoning to taste like salt, pepper, and more butter if needed.

  9. Want to add even more flavor to your rice try adding minced onion, green onion, or even cilantro to your cooking water for a rice that is rich in flavor.

rice recipe idea for weeknight dinner

What To Serve With Rice?


This buttered rice recipe is perfect for serving with a variety of ingredients giving any dish a hardy side that pairs perfectly with most vegetables and proteins.


Rice can be served with a great variety of ingredients making it a top side item for creating simple budget friendly meals for your family.


This buttered rice recipe delivers a fluffy white rice that has a sweet butter taste that goes perfectly with several simple to make dishes.


Sunday night recipe idea hot gumbo with rice

11 Favorite Rice Combinations For Making Easy Dinners:

Rice with Beans and Avocado


Rice with Salmon and Green Peas


Rice with Grilled Steak and Roasted Brussel Sprouts


Rice with Mediterranean Chicken and Roasted Zucchini


Rice with Hot Gumbo


Rice with Spanish Chicken and Steamed Potatoes


Rice with Kielbasa and a Fresh Corn Salad


Rice with Pork Chops and Roasted Plantains


Rice with Curried Chicken and Naan Bread


Rice with Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapples


Rice with Beef Stew


what to serve with rice

Is Rice A Good Ingredient For Making Dinners?

Rice is a great staple ingredient for creating a variety of wholesome dinners for your family on busy nights.


Rice is super simple to prepare and can be made in under 45 minutes making it a top choice for cooking easy dinners for a family.


It is simply a matter of boiling seasoned water then pouring in a cup of rice and reducing heat adding a lid once most of the water has evaporated from the surface then allowing it to cook undisturbed.


It is that easy!


Rice is also budget friendly and versatile allowing you to create a variety of delicious meals for your family just from this one staple ingredient.



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