This summer, channel the season’s easy-going vibe with one-pot rice meals that allow you to eat well, without breaking a sweat! Rice and grain recipes that are brimming with quality farm-market finds, these dishes require minimal effort to put together. Best of all? Easy prep means easy cleanup, each and every time!

One-pot meals are every cook’s best friend. Beyond their inherent simplicity, they’re also highly versatile and easy to adapt to what you have on hand. In summer when produce is at its peak, they can be enhanced with a wealth of farm-fresh ingredients, from juicy fruit and crisp vegetables to fragrant herbs and more.

Made with RiceSelect® grains, from fan-favorite Texmati® White to quick-cooking quinoa, these recipes offer respite from complicated dishes that make myriad demands on a cook’s time and patience.

Give yourself a break this summer, with quick and delicious one-pot rice and grain recipes. Dishes that taste of the season — and leave you with enough time to enjoy it! — these are sure to delight in more ways than one.

Risotto Milanese with Seared Scallops 

Inspired by a famous Northern Italian dish, this saffron-hued main course is the epitome of elegance. Made with creamy RiceSelect® Arborio Rice, parmesan cheese and golden scallops, it’s guaranteed to impress guests — despite its trimmed down, 35-minute cook time!

Sweet Corn, Parmesan and Mascarpone Risotto 

When the market fills with sun-colored cobs of corn, it’s time to make this sweet, seasonal risotto dish. Enriched with mascarpone and parmesan cheeses, it’s a luxe riff on Italy’s beloved rice recipe.

Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach & Rice) 

Verdant spinach, briny feta and bursts of fresh lemon and dill take dinner into decidedly Mediterranean territory in this fresh and flavorful dish. A comforting, complete vegetarian main, this can also be served as a delicious side to grilled meat or fish.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Tri-Color Pearl Couscous 

Gorgeous AND delectable, this hearty salad gives the type of main-dish energy we can all get behind. For company, or to impress the fam, this is the dish to make as summer cedes to early fall.

Royal Blend® Sausage Bake Recipe 

RiceSelect® Royal Blend Rice adds sophisticated flavors and textures to this homey sausage skillet. With crunch from water chestnuts and almonds, plenty of fresh vegetables and velvety cream of mushroom soup bringing every bite together, this dish checks every box.

 Easy Skillet Taco Rice

A quick, easy casserole that harnesses the popularity of Mexican fare, this dish is also simple to customize to your family’s tastes. Serve this crowd-pleaser al fresco, alongside a wealth of toppings — from salsa and sour cream to pico de gallo and hot sauce — and make the most of a stress-free summer evening.

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Treat the family to some southern-style comfort with this fresh and flavorful quinoa salad bowl. Ideal for nights when you crave simplicity, this zesty blend of citrus-spiked quinoa, beans, corn, avocado and herbs makes a satisfying dinner with, or without, extra grilled protein.

Royal Blend Italian Soup

A dish that tempts all year round, this layered soup is brimming with tasty morsels. Rich with seasoned pork and parmesan cheese, it’s loaded with nutty RiceSelect® Royal Rice Blend, beans, vegetables and oodles of herbs. Make this on the weekend, and you can eat well all week long.

Chicken, Apple and Parsley Tri-Color Quinoa Salad

Turn the season’s first crisp apples into this light and lively quinoa salad. A room-temp dish you’ll crave when it’s too hot to turn on the oven, this bright mix includes seasoned chicken, bright pops of parsley, ripe tomatoes, and a honey-laced Dijon vinaigrette.

How to Build Flavor-Forward One-Pot Rice & Grain Meals 

Opting for a simple recipe doesn’t mean compromising on flavor! Armed with a few top tricks and tips, you can turn any quick meal into a masterpiece.

Beyond their inherently delicious flavors, RiceSelect® products are high-quality ingredients that offer reliable results, every time! With a range of options suited to myriad types of recipes — from sushi and soups to puddings, casseroles, paella and more — there’s a RiceSelect® product suited to every dish. Understanding what makes each one unique, will set you up for endless wins in the kitchen. For example, you’ll want to opt for creamy, short-grain arborio when making risotto, for aromatic basmati when making biryani, and so on!

To make simple dishes that taste anything but, it’s important to season as you go. Layer flavors by using seasonal herbs, aromatics and well-seasoned stocks. Citrus, leeks, fresh bell peppers and ramps all add punchy flavor to spring and summertime dishes.

When the market is overflowing with fresh produce, going meatless is easier than ever. Combine an assortment of fresh veggies and herbs with your favorite RiceSelect® rice, grain or couscous, and serve meatless meals the family will request again and again. Instead of merely grilling steaks and chicken, treat eggplant, zucchini, peppers and corn to some time over the coals. You might be surprised at just how satisfying they can be! Not ready to give up your favorite protein? Incorporate smaller amounts into your meal, alongside plenty of colorful produce.

Just before you serve your dish, decide whether or not it could use a little something extra. A drizzle of finishing oil or vinaigrette is great on rice salads, pilafs and couscous. Or, you might prefer a flurry of fresh herbs, a handful of cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice. Experiment with what you have on hand, and you might discover a new favorite!

12 Comforting One-Pot Rice & Grain Recipes for Late Summer Evenings