It’s after Christmas and all the holiday celebrations and if you’re like me, you have lots of leftovers in the fridge that needs to be eaten. I find making muffin tin side dishes is a great way to use leftovers and still make a delicious side dish sure to please. For these, I had leftover spinach and a few other items that blended well to make these portion sized side dishes that were the perfect accompaniment to pork chops.
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Muffin Tin Rice and Spinach Cups
Ingredients
- 1 chicken bullion cube
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cup instant white rice
- 5 strips cooked bacon
- 1 tablespoon garlic (chopped)
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach (chopped)
- 4oz mild cheddar (cut into 1/4 inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons seasoned italian bread crumbs
- salt and pepper to taste
Note
You can use the bacon in half or all 12 cups. Substitute swiss for cheddar for a change in flavor.
Directions
Step 1 | |
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. | |
Step 2 | |
In a saucepan, heat the water, bullion cube and butter to a boil. Add the instant rice and cook according to package directions. | |
Step 3 | |
While the rice is cooking, combine all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add the cooked rice and blend together until the spinach is just about wilted. | |
Step 4 | |
Spray muffin cups with cooking spray. Spoon an even amount of the spinach rice mix into the muffin cups. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. |
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Like with most muffin tin cooking, the portion size is already set so if you’re trying not to overeat, this is perfect. Also, if one person wants chopped brussels sprouts and another prefers spinach, you can each make a cup or two just the way you want. Muffin tin rice and spinach cups make creating a side dish that much easier. Tell me, what would you add to your cup?
If you are looking for that perfect side dish, check out the selections on my Veggies and Sides board on Pinterest.
Follow Lori’s Culinary’s board Veggies & Sides on Pinterest.

Brilliant idea! I could see doing this with so many side dishes like mac & cheese, loaded mashed taters, etc. Then popping them in the freezer for lunches. Glad you shared this idea!
Kristina & Millie recently posted…Dress for 18 inch Doll
Oh, this looks good. The hubs won’t eat rice, but the kiddos will LOVE this recipe. Pinning and this will likely be our lunches on Sunday!!!
Elisabeth recently posted…How Much Do You Spend on Groceries?
wow I have not had a proper lunch and this is making me so hungry. Thanks for linking this up on Friday food frenzy this week. hope to see you again next week.
What a great idea! I bet the kids would like these “mini” rice cups!
Jillian @ Hi! It’s Jilly recently posted…Take it on Tuesday…on Thursday!!
Great idea using leftovers to make an easy muffin tin meal. Love it! Thanks for linking up to Gingerly Made’s Show & Tell.
Ginger recently posted…Crochet Mug Cozy
i am pretty sure any dish baked in a muffin tin makes it that much cooler. seriously. we love making quiche in our muffin tin
[email protected] recently posted…DIY Valentine’s Day cards
What a great idea! My boys would totally dig these. Thanks for sharing at Saturday Night Fever, pinning now!!
~Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
Jen @ YummyHealthyEasy recently posted…Banana-Zucchini Mini Crumb Muffins
These sound delicious!! This would be fun for the children, cooking them in the muffin tins!
I would love for you to stop by and share on my weekly recipe link up, Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen. Here is the link to this week’s linky:
https://totsandme.blogspot.com/2014/01/kids-and-mom-in-kitchen-68-baked-oatmeal.html
Looks delicious ..
Stopped by from Tuesdays table .
Happy to follow you , will be glad if u add me too
Thanks for stopping by Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen. I can’t wait to try these. I hope to see you again. My linky goes live every Friday.
kewkew recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: January 15, 2014 (w/linky)- Drinking Water