Quick Rice Recipes That Make Dinner a Snap

My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that's both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California

I created this easy skillet dish to use up the boil-in-a-bag rice in my cabinet. The result packs a lot of flavor. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York

Anything goes in a rice pilaf, so I add peas and baby portobello mushrooms for extra color, texture and a touch of comfort. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon

My son loves anything with coconut milk, so I always keep some on hand for weeknight meals like this one. For a milder version, I like to use red or yellow curry paste instead of green. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My son's favorite food is shrimp, so I'm always looking for quick and simple ways to make it. In this recipe, sometimes I use garlic salt instead of minced garlic cloves and salt. —Julie Trani, Chesapeake, Virginia

At the end of the day, who wants a stack of dishes to wash? That’s why we love this entree: It cooks in one skillet and everyone cleans their plates! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I transformed leftover chicken and rice into this tasty soup. It even passed the company test. —Karen Reed, Middletown, Ohio

Thanks to tangy balsamic vinegar and sweet apples, this one-pot pork chop lets you have a little something special anytime. —Greg Hageli, Elmhurst, Illinois

I often use my husband’s fresh-caught bass or catfish for this recipe, but tilapia, salmon and even chicken will do. —Tarin Hauck, Minneapolis, Kansas

After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This fried rice is now part of our regular dinner rotation. — Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York

Cajun rice from a restaurant or box can have a lot of sodium and fat. Here’s a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma

My family loves to order those gigantic takeout Tex-Mex burritos, but they can be expensive and we always have leftovers. I created a lighter, no-guilt alternative with the flavors they love, and that skips the tortilla. —Marquisha Turner, Aurora, Colorado

With three hungry boys in my house, dinners need to be quick and filling, and it helps to get in some veggies, too. This one is a favorite because it's hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

I wanted to find a way to use pineapple salsa in a recipe. I came up with this super simple, delicious and quick dish! —Erin Schillo, Northfield, Ohio

I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia

This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York

This speedy method of making risotto works every time! —Kim Gray, Davie, Florida

Soup is the ultimate comfort food, and this hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan

My son named this "pizza rice" after I threw together a quick dinner from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza topping ingredients you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia

This easy dinner is light and lovely, with so many delicious flavors and textures all in one stunning dish. It's so impressive that I often serve it to guests. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Portobello mushrooms add an earthy flavor to this creamy classic, while shredded rotisserie chicken makes it a snap to prepare. You'll savor every bite. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

I like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida

Barbecued chicken gets a makeover in this recipe. The combination of ingredients makes for a mellow, not-too-sweet flavor that's more grown-up than the original and super over rice, pasta or potatoes. —Sharon Fritz, Morristown, Tennessee

Here's a gentle curry dish that's won't overwhelm more delicate palates. For fun, try varying the garnish—add a few chopped peanuts or a little chutney. —Nancy Reck, Mill Valley, California