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What to serve with white rice — 40+ ideas! White rice is a staple starch at any meal. It’s versatile, budget-friendly, and easy to make for dinner or batch cook and freeze in advance. Check out this list of meal ideas to make your next meal plan frugal and delicious.
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White rice is one of the best budget-friendly staples you can keep in your pantry. It’s incredibly affordable (often less than $1 per pound) and when stored properly, can last up to 30 years!
I like to cook large batches of white rice using my Instant Pot or Slow Cooker and freeze it in 2 cup portions using my Souper Cubes. Then, when I need a cheap and delicious base or side dish to serve alongside my meal, I’ll place the frozen block of rice in the microwave for 5-8 minutes, or until it’s perfectly moist and fluffy again.
Silicone Cubes
My favorite way to freeze individual portions and meals. Use code HOMECOOKEDROOTS10 for 10% off.
What to Serve with White Rice
It’s the perfect neutral base to serve with just about anything. You’re definitely going to want to bookmark or save this page for later so you can try more than one of the great budget-friendly recipes featured below.
Vegan Kung Pao Cauliflower
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Vegan Kung Pao Cauliflower by Home-Cooked Roots
This vegan takeout inspired dish is tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet! A delicious, simple and gluten free weeknight meal!
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Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Curry
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Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Curry by Veggie Inspired
Peanut butter in a curry? Sweet potatoes paired with peanut butter make for a delicious Thai-inspired curry and is perfect over white rice and garnished with lime juice and green onion.
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Yellow Curry
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Thai Yellow Curry Recipe
This Yellow Curry recipe is one of my favorite Thai curries! It's loaded with plant-based protein, hearty potatoes, lemongrass, yellow curry paste, and coconut cream to make an ultra rich and hearty dinner. Serve with jasmine rice, fresh herbs, and a final squeeze of lime juice!
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Vegetarian Green Chili Stew
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Vegetarian Green Chili Stew
Vegetarian Green Chili Stew is the perfect hearty fall and winter dinner made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot! It's made with jackfruit, homemade Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa, and green chiles and served over cilantro lime rice! All you need is 10 minutes to prep!
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Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry
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Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry by Sassy Chopsticks
Stir fry is such an easy meal, and this broccoli and mushroom version is savory and delicious. Serve this stir fry with white rice and toasted sesame seeds.
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Copycat Chipotle Sofritas Recipe
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Copycat Chipotle Sofritas Recipe by Home-Cooked Roots
Make a Chipotle-inspired burrito, bowl, or tacos featuring tofu sofritas, black beans, fajita veggies, roasted chili corn salsa, green-chili tomatillo salsa, guacamole, and serve it all over white rice, but specifically this awesome cilantro lime rice.
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Spicy Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)
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Spicy Korean Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) by Non-Guilty Pleasures
Korean braised tofu (Dubu Jorim) is an easy and quick vegan recipe. This pan-fried tofu is cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce and is perfect over white rice and topped with green onion and toasted sesame seeds.
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Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry
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Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry by Piping Pot Curry
Instant Pot coconut chickpea curry is a creamy and flavorful vegan curry. Serve with white rice and naan if desired.
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Tofu Lettuce Wraps Recipe
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Tofu Lettuce Wraps Recipe by Mom Foodie
A delicious and light dinner, these easy tofu lettuce wraps are filled with veggies and tofu seasoned with a tasty sauce. Make this dish a little more filling with some white rice on the side (and make extra sauce to drizzle on the rice if you like!).
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Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Recipe
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Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Recipe by Primavera Kitchen
Another way to keep your meal light is to pair these balsamic roasted vegetables with your perfectly cooked rice. Use whatever veggies you have on hand to make this easy and healthy dish.
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Roasted Harissa Cauliflower Steaks
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Roasted Harissa Cauliflower Steaks by Nutriciously
Roasted vegan cauliflower steaks with a harissa marinade are a fun and healthy main dish. The harissa sauce is spicy and smoky, and perfect to pair with a neutral side like white rice.
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General Tso’s Tofu
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General Tso’s Tofu by Home-Cooked Roots
Sticky, saucy, and delicious, this General Tso's tofu is way better than takeout. This easy weeknight-friendly dish goes wonderfully with white rice and any vegetable you like.
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Chana Aloo Masala (Indian Chickpea and Potato Curry)
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Chana Aloo Masala (Indian Chickpea and Potato Curry) by Go Healthy Ever After
Chana aloo masala is a flavorful Indian curry featuring chickpeas, potatoes, and spices. This creamy curry is great with long grain white rice (like Basmati).
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Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup
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Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe (Vegetarian)
Warm up during soup season with this Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup! A rich, savory, tomato broth simmered all day with onions, bell peppers, and Italian seasoning, then combined with fluffy rice and protein of choice. All you need is 15 minutes of prep to make this hearty bowl of soup.
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Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
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Slow Cooker Vegan Chili by Home-Cooked Roots
Hearty, warm, and satisfying, this delicious vegan chili is made in the slow cooker so you don't have to babysit a pot on the stove. Serve over white rice and top with avocado for a cozy and filling meal.
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Instant Pot Afghan Lubya (Kidney Bean Curry)
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Instant Pot Afghan Lubya (Kidney Bean Curry) by J Cooking Odyssey
Afghan lubya (kidney bean curry) is a robustly flavored dish featuring dried mint and black pepper. This rich curry is perfect served with white rice and is super cozy and satisfying.
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Sheet Pan Veggie Shawarma
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Sheet Pan Veggie Shawarma by My Pure Plants
Shawarma vegetables are a flavorful and nutritious meal. This Middle Eastern-inspired dish features cauliflower, green beans, and chickpeas to make a healthy main dish that goes perfectly with white rice.
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Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian (Easy Cauliflower Recipe)
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Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian (Easy Cauliflower Recipe) by Corrie Cooks
Gobi Manchurian is a saucy and flavorful dish featuring cauliflower. Make this healthy and delicious recipe in only 20 minutes in the air fryer and serve it with rice.
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Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Stew Recipe
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Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Stew Recipe by Let’s Go Tomato
This cozy Mediterranean chickpea stew is a flavorful and wholesome recipe to make in colder weather. Serve with white rice and parsley for a lovely meal.
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Thai Tofu Red Curry
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Thai Tofu Red Curry by From The Comfort Of My Bowl
Cozy Thai-inspired red curry with tofu is a saucy and delicious weeknight-friendly dish. This curry is loaded with vegetables and plant protein and makes a terrific meal when paired with white rice (Jasmine rice is perfect here).
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Sticky Vegan Orange Chicken
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Sticky Vegan Orange Chicken by Home-Cooked Roots
This dish is so indulgent feeling yet much healthier than takeout! It's refined sugar free, gluten free and the flavor packed sticky orange sauce is made with only 6 ingredients. Plus, the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes. The best recipe for weeknights or when you're craving the classic takeout orange chicken.
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Easy Creamy Tofu Korma
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Easy Creamy Tofu Korma by Vegan Punks
Creamy, savory, and delicious, this tofu korma is a flavorful and easy curry recipe. This plant protein-packed dish is lovely with white rice, naan or roti, and cilantro or green onion.
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Miso Stir Fry with Soy Curls
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Miso Stir Fry with Soy Curls by The Vegan Larder
Stir fry is a terrific weeknight meal because it comes together quickly and without hassle. This miso stir fry is loaded with vegetables and soy curls for protein.
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Bazella w Riz (Vegan Lebanese Stewed Peas)
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Bazella w Riz (Vegan Lebanese Stewed Peas)
Bazella w riz (Lebanese stewed peas) is an easy vegan Lebanese-inspired recipe featuring stewed peas and carrots in a tomato base (yakhni). This healthy recipe is traditionally served with rice.
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Tofu Poke Bowl
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Tofu Poke Bowl by ZardyPlants
Loaded with fresh veggies, fruit, and sesame ginger tofu, this tofu poke bowl is an easy and satisfying meal. Load up your bowl with fluffy white Jasmine rice and top with your favorite veggies and fruit.
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Easy Ratatouille Recipe (with Pinto Beans)
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Easy Ratatouille Recipe (with Pinto Beans) by May Eighty Five
This vegetable ratatouille includes pinto beans for a protein and nutrient packed weeknight dinner. Serve this flavorful dish over white rice for a satisfying and simple yet elevated meal.
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Vegan Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew)
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Vegan Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew) by Earth to Veg
Soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) is a cozy Korean stew made with spicy and tangy kimchi and silken tofu. This dish is perfect over white rice and will keep you warm all winter long.
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Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl
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Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl by Home-Cooked Roots
Loaded with fresh vegetables and extra firm tofu, this flavorful vegan egg roll in a bowl is a hassle-free take on a popular appetizer. If you serve this over white rice, it's a very hearty and nutritious dinner.
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Red Lentil Dahl with Coconut Milk
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Red Lentil Dahl with Coconut Milk by Wholesome Soulfood Kitchen
Creamy red lentil dahl is a simple dish that requires only one pot and a few simple ingredients. This protein-packed lentil dish is fantastic with rice and fresh herbs.
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Sweet and Sour Cauliflower on Rice
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Sweet and Sour Cauliflower on Rice by Broke Bank Vegan
Sweet and sour cauliflower is a flavorful and delicious vegetable dish to serve with white rice. This easy dish is sure to become a weeknight favorite.
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Vegan Picadillo
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Vegan Picadillo by Running to the Kitchen
Vegan picadillo is made with tempeh, lentils and potatoes and gets its lovely flavor from Spanish olives, capers, raisins and spices and a tomato base. This hearty dish is wonderful to serve with fluffy white rice.
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Mouthwatering Sticky Tofu
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Mouthwatering Sticky Tofu by Naturallie Plant Based
Sticky sweet chili tofu is crispy and saucy. Serve this delicious tofu with white rice and broccoli or your favorite vegetable.
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Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (Vegetarian)
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Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (Vegetarian) by Home-Cooked Roots
Super flavorful and satisfying, this Instant Pot red beans and rice dish is loaded with vegan sausage and tons of flavor. Serve this plant protein-heavy dish with white rice and your favorite vegetable or a side salad.
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Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry
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Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry by The Almond Eater
Have only 30 minutes to get a wholesome dinner on the table? Try this teriyaki tofu stir fry that features crispy tofu, broccoli, spinach, and homemade teriyaki sauce.
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The Best Lentil Curry
Vegan Butter Chicken with Cauliflower and Chickpeas
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Vegan Butter Chicken with Cauliflower and Chickpeas by Home-Cooked Roots
This vegan butter chicken is a non-traditional take on a popular Indian dish but it is just as creamy, tangy and it's bursting with flavor. Comes together in just about 30 minutes making this the perfect weeknight recipe!
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Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl
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Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl by The Dizzy Cook
Loaded with goodies like broccolini, sweet potatoes and an amazing tahini dressing, these healthy bowls are perfect with white rice. Meal prep the individual elements and build a bowl each night for an easy weeknight meal.
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Tofu Adobo
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Tofu Adobo by ZardyPlants
A vegan take on the Phillipines’ national dish, Tofu Adobo is savory, sweet, tangy, rich, easy to make yet completely delicious dish.
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Vegan Matar Paneer with Tofu
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Vegan Matar Paneer with Tofu by Simple Sumptuous Cooking
Tofu matar paneer is a hearty curry featuring green peas and tofu. This vegan take on a classic Indian dish is lovely with rice and very nutritious.
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Vegan BBQ Tempeh
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Vegan BBQ Tempeh by Home-Cooked Roots
This sweet and smoky BBQ Tempeh is marinaded for 24 hours then smothered in homemade vegan BBQ sauce before searing and baking until tender. It's easy to make, hearty, and the perfect substitute for BBQ meats.
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Pineapple Stir Fry
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Pineapple Stir Fry by Veggie Inspired
Pineapple stir fry features crisp veggies, sweet pineapple of course, and chewy baked tofu in a sweet, salty, sticky stir fry sauce. Serve this easy stir fry with white rice and green onions for an easy and delicious meal.
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Vegan Chickpea Stew
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Vegan Chickpea Stew by Savor and Savvy
Loaded with flavor and veggies, this chick pea stew is cozy and warming. Serve this thick stew over rice for a wholesome stick-to-your-ribs meal.
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30 Minute Crispy Peanut Tofu
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30 Minute Crispy Peanut Tofu by Home-Cooked Roots
This 30-Minute Crispy Peanut Tofu is made with tofu that's been air fried until golden brown and crispy, then tossed in a quick and easy vegan peanut sauce. Oven-baking and pan frying methods included!
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Vegan Burrito Bowl
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Easy Vegan Burrito Bowl
Vegan Burrito Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potato and Creamy Jalapeno Dill Sauce! Great for meal prep and easy weeknight dinners!
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