Easy rice pudding using leftover cooked rice is so creamy comforting, and it’s the perfect way to use up that leftover rice. It takes 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make this sweet comfort food.
Rice pudding is a classic dessert that you either love or hate, and nothing in-between. I absolutely am addicted to this. It’s creamy, comforting, can be served hot or cold, and best of all, you can cook this rice pudding with leftover rice.
The ingredients
Leftover rice pudding only uses a few ingredients that you already have at home.
- Rice. Leftover cooked rice is the main ingredient here
- Coconut milk. You can also substitute with whole milk
- Sugar, salt. I love using brown sugar as it adds a depth of sweetness compared to granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract to enhance the flavor
How to make rice pudding with leftover rice
Place the cooked rice along with the milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir often until thickened, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Spoon into serving dishes and top with cinnamon.
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Type of rice for rice pudding
It usually calls for short-grain rice to make a creamier texture; however, most leftover rice comes with long-grain rice which also works for this recipe.
Can I use brown rice for rice pudding
I don’t recommend using brown rice since its grains are way too firm for pudding.
Add-in and toppings
I love adding and mixing a few different things together; however, here are some ideas you can add:
- Dried fruits, such as raisins, cranberries, shredded coconut
- Fresh fruits, like berries, mango
- Jam. This one is always a hit!
- Chocolate! You can add chocolate chips while cook the leftover rice or add chocolate sprinkles
- Nuts, such as crushed almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts
How do you thicken rice pudding
Rice pudding will thicken as it cools. However, you can also add mascarpone cheese to the mix.
What else can I do with leftover rice
Some of my favorites are crispy rice, duck fried rice, or garlic rice for breakfast. You can also cook leftover rice and freeze it so you can have your meal ready anytime!
If you enjoy a classic but super easy dessert recipe, then you need this rice pudding with leftover cooked rice!
Rice pudding using leftover cooked rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked long-grain rice
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the cooked rice along with the milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir often until thickened, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Spoon into serving dishes and top with cinnamon.
I have been making rice pudding for many, many years. After coming across your recipe, I decided to try it. Your recipe turned out way better than mine and my family really enjoyed your leftover rice recipe.
We had a load of leftover rice and needed to do something….stumbled upon this fabulous rice pudding. Thank you for a fantastic recipe that tasted so darn delicious!
Lovely to have as breakfast!
Do you used canned coconut milk for this recipe? Or the beverage?
It looks perfect, and I want to get it right!
Lorna
I used regular coconut milk. Canned coconut milk might work, but it will be too thick so you need to add more liquid 🙂
I loved it! I only had canned coconut cream so I used that instead. I had some warm and it was kind of thin, but when it cooled it was a much better consistency .
Excellent and easy – everyone love it.
Super easy and very delicious! Perfect way to use up extra rice. I used canned coconut milk instead of the carton and the flavor was spot on and a creamy texture.
This recipe is so simple and delicious. I had leftover Basmati rice, used regular light coconut milk, added maple syrup instead of brown sugar, and added 1/2 cup of sultanas. As I am lactose-free coconut milk works for me. I have just returned from a trip to the Caribbean where all the rice pudding is made from coconut milk and I was in love with the creaminess of the flavour it adds to the usual bland rice pudding.