This leftover rice frittata is a very simple, light-tasting, non-pretentious lunch that is flavourful and satisfying. It’s just rice. And eggs. And a ton of Parmesan cheese.
If you like simple flavours, and are looking for a different way to serve eggs for the family, this recipe is perfect! It comes together in about 10 minutes and is a fast weeknight dinner meal, perfect for packed lunches the following day.
Sundays in my home are usually reserved for weekly meal preps, which includes cooking up a week’s worth of grains like rice or quinoa, and legumes. Prepping these grains ahead of time allows me to quickly prepare weekly meals-and happens to enable my most recent obsession with rice bowls.
Combining a variety of healthy ingredients with a clean eating, gluten-free grain all in one bowl has become my ultimate comfort food. It’s the kind of meal you can enjoy while sitting on the couch and watching your favourite television program (which happens to be Quantico at the moment).
Enough about rice bowls. Let’s get back to the recipe…
Despite the fact that leftover rice is most often destined for rice bowls, I do prepare other rice-based family favourites, like risotto, arancini and this hearty leftover rice frittata.
Since my kids aren’t keen on veggies at the moment, I decided to keep this frittata very simple by only adding some Parmesan cheese. The result was delicious however, as with any frittata, you can add any ingredient you prefer-fresh herbs, diced chicken, sautéed veggies, tofu, or additional cheeses like mozzarella, goat, or feta.
Whereas most frittatas are light and fluffy, this frittata is a bit denser, since the rice absorbs the eggs. It’s prepared with only a few simple ingredients-eggs, Parmesan cheese, and rice, yet it’s still light-tasting and flavourful. It also doesn’t hurt that it looks like a pizza-which means that kids (at least mine) will most likely give it a try before automatically rejecting it based on looks alone.
I served this with a fresh and simple salad made with dark greens, shredded carrots, scallions, and avocado. The kids particularly enjoyed their presentation-bite-size cubes of frittata served over a bed of homemade tomato sauce and another generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
On a side note, if the family isn’t fond of rice, you can also prepare this frittata with leftover pasta.
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
Came across this in a Google search. Honestly, this one of the best recipes I’ve ever made using leftover rice that wasn’t a fried rice variation. Tripling the batch, I was worried it wouldn’t cook all the way through. The rice rehydrated perfectly, with the eggs and olive rehydrating it aplenty. Perfect reuse of the rice, plus a wonderful way for us chicken-owners to get 24 eggs used up quickly. Highly recommend. Thank you!
Glad you loved it!! I think it’s such a great way to re-purpose rice! If you have plain leftover rice you could always do arancini as well 😉
This looks delicious!! I would have never thought of this…left over rice has an entirely new purpose 🙂
This is such an easy way to repurpose it too!
I’m asian and this recipe includes two of my main fav food. Rice and Eggs 🙂 I can see myself adding this to my daily diet, And I will be happy to share it with family and friends who also a Rice lover 🙂
Great, thanks!
That is a pretty clever recipe and I’m sure I would love the faste of it. Nice that you gave so many options for substituting ingredients. I would enjoy it topped with a fruit based salsa and dollop of sour cream. 😉
Fruit? Never would have thought of that…that’s an interesting combo!
This looks really good! I am always on the lookout for new recipes to try to make for the whole family. I think this one would be perfect and everyone would love it! Thanks for sharing!
ooh!!! I never knew what this was. I love eating rice with eggs so I’m sure I will absolutely love this!
The sauce and extra Parm takes it over the top too!
This frittata sounds delicious! I often struggle with making the correct amount of rice, so we almost always end up with leftovers. This is the perfect way to give it new life and not wasting it.
Me too…and I make it often!
Ooooh this looks so delicious and easy to make. Plus, since we always have rice, I think my son would love this twist 😀
Oh yum! I always have leftover rice…what a great way to use it up! This frittata looks delicious and simple to put together. Will have to file this one away for sure!
I love how doable this recipe is! I love simple and easy to make meals! I also love adding fresh herbs into my meals. The basil is calling to me YUMMMMM
I missed the basil in this…just didn’t have any on hand! I LOVE basil in general, but it’s also delicious with eggs.
This looks delicious! I don’t eat rice much any more so I don’t know if I would go out of my way to make this, but if someone put it down in front of me at their house, then I would certainly give it a go! I bet it tastes great with a little hot sauce!
I’m not a fan of spicy foods. That said, I think the hot sauce would be a great flavour addition.
BOOYAH! I have never in my life made a frittata, but I always have leftover rice on hand. I think it might be time to try my hand at one. Your’s looks delicious, and I can’t say no to any recipe with eggs and cheese in it.
If you’ve never made one then my suggestion is to try this one first! The rice makes the frittata really dense, which makes it easier to work with, and flip!
This looks so tasty. I always have leftover rice so this will be a good way to use it. I can see myself eating it with a lot of different side dishes.
Can you believe that I have never made a frittata before? We usually enjoy them at brunch or holiday parties, and I happily sample them. I just have never tried it myself! I will need to try your version with rice!
Once you get the hang of them, you’ll be surprised at how quick and easy they are to make!
I’ve made quiche with a rice crust before, but I’ve never thought to incorporate the rice into a frittata. What an awesome idea! This is totally going on my “to try” short list. Thanks for a great idea 🙂
Rice crust!?! That sounds delicious, and also a great idea for people like me who can’t eat gluten!