Rice patties

I can never seem to get the amount of rice or pasta right for dinner, everyone is either super hungry and what I made is not enough or appetites are small and I’ve made too much. Leftover pasta never sticks around for too long, I always have takers, rice on the other hand is another story. I feel strongly about minimizing food waste, so repurposing leftovers that I know won’t be eaten otherwise is something I have been getting better at. A few nights ago, we had rice with mushrooms, everyone is a fan but of course, there was still some leftover. Knowing it would be difficult to use up the leftover, I decided to make something completely different with the rice. I formed the rice into patties with a few other ingredients mixed in, baked them and served them alongside a simple marinara sauce for dipping. The kids really enjoyed it for lunch and I was pleased that leftovers were eaten and nothing had gone to waste.

Rice Patties

Makes 8

2 cups leftover rice (ideally arborio rice, like leftover risotto)

1/4 cup mozzarella, grated

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment

• Pour leftover rice into a bowl, add grated cheese, breadcrumbs and egg. Mix until all ingredients are combined

• Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to portion out patties, form each into a ball and place on parchment lined baking sheet then press down on each ball of rice forming a patty

• Bake for 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 15 minutes

• Serve with simple marinara sauce