Cheesy Salsa Rice
Leftover rice, salsa, cheese, ninety silent seconds in the microwave.
5 min
Silent
Microwave
One thing to wash
Serves 1
Vegetarian
If there's a container of leftover rice in the fridge, you are three ingredients and zero skill away from something that tastes like the inside of a burrito. The microwave does everything. Nobody will hear it, nothing can burn, and the bowl you make it in is the bowl you eat from.
You’ll need
-
Cheese (any melty kind)
a handful -
Cooked rice
a bowl, leftover No cooked rice? Any leftover grain — quinoa, couscous, whatever's in the container. -
Salsa
2–3 spoonfuls No salsa? Marinara in a pinch — different vibe, still good. -
Canned beans
optional
a few spoonfuls, drained -
Sour cream
optional
a spoonful on top
Salt, pepper, oil, and water are assumed — if the salt is missing too, we can’t help tonight.
The way through
- Put a bowl of leftover rice in the microwave with a splash of water and a loose cover (a plate on top works). Heat about 90 seconds — the water steams it back to life.
- Stir in a few spoonfuls of salsa and a handful of cheese.
- Back in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, until the cheese has clearly given up its solid form.
- Stir. Add beans (heated with the rice) if you want it to be dinner instead of a snack. A spoon of sour cream on top if you're feeling elaborate.
Night-kitchen noteDay-old fridge rice reheats better than fresh rice ever cooked. The splash of water is not optional — dry reheated rice is a punishment.