What to do with leftover rice?
Leftover rice is one of the best parts of takeout because it just keeps on giving! Use leftover rice to make these delicious cheesy tacos that use a whole container of leftover rice. I make these tacos with both Chinese and Indian takeout rice. My family loves these Leftover Rice Tacos so much I think they sometimes like it better than the actual takeout! You need to try these because I think they’ll become a favorite on your dinner menu list!
How much rice is in a takeout carton?
A takeout box has about 2 cups of rice in it, which is exactly what you need for this recipe. If you have a little less rice (like 1 or 1.5 cup – that’s ok too!).
How long is leftover rice good for?
Leftover rice is best used within 4 days when you’re storing it in the refrigerator. Did you know you can also freeze leftover rice for 2 months?
Ingredients
How to Make Rice Tacos
Cook ground beef in a large skillet until browned.
Add taco seasoning..
And corn…
And leftover rice….
And finally cheddar cheese. I love using sharp cheddar cheese on tacos that I shred myself in my food processor.
Continue to heat on the stove until the cheese is completely melted.
Spread a little bit of the beef and rice mixture in the bottom of a 11×8 baking dish.
Start to make the tacos by adding the beef mixture into each tortilla, followed by some cheddar cheese. Add them to the baking dish, it should be a tight fit.
If any ground beef or cheese is left, sprinkle it on top of the tortillas.
Now add a jar of salsa on top.
Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
Serve warm! And enjoy! These are delicious! I hope you love these Leftover Rice Tacos!
Recipe Tips
I like to make my own shredded cheese by adding a block of cheese into my food processor. This makes it more thick and crumbly and melts beautifully! This has been a game changer for our tacos! I usually use a tomato based salsa (mild for the kids), but you could use a jar of salsa verde if you want a kick! If you want to make vegetarian tacos, you totally can! Skip the ground beef and either 1) double the rice or 2) substitute 2 cans of beans (black or pinto) for the ground beef. Want to make your own homemade black beans?
More Leftover Recipes
Leftover Spaghetti CasserolePork Fried Rice with leftover riceLeftover Cilantro Lime RiceMashed Potato Patties (for leftover mashed potatoes)Leftover Thanksgiving CasseroleLeftover Ham and Cabbage SoupMoist Buttermilk Cornbread (for leftover buttermilk)50 Ways To Use Leftover Egg Yolks Pin for later: Check out my Leftover Rice Tacos Web Story!
