• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Frozen Biscuit
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Copycat » Homemade Rice-a-Roni

    Homemade Rice-a-Roni

    Published: Sep 4, 2019 · Modified: Feb 16, 2022 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You can avoid the processed version, and make delicious homemade rice-a-roni with simple, whole ingredients.

    A bowl of homemade rice-a-Roni.

    You all know those boxes of rice with “roni” in them, or the rice sides bags in the grocery store? They come in all different flavors, no doubt they are all yummy, and an easy way to stretch out a meal.

    The ingredients in processed foods like rice-a-roni are often ones that people try to avoid. For that reason, and because rice pilaf is delicious, I’ve come up with a really simple recipe that tastes just as good as the stuff in the box.

    This recipe for homemade rice-a-roni uses healthy, whole ingredients, herbs and spices and you can feel good about feeding it to your family.

    Saute

    First saute the rice and pasta in a bit of butter and olive oil until the pasta becomes toasted and golden brown in color.

    Bring to a Boil

    Add the broth, seasonings and herbs. Stir and bring to a simmer.

    Steam

    Once the liquid is simmering, reduce heat to low, cover, and steam for 15-20 minutes. Do not remove the lid during this time.

    Fluff

    After 15-20 minutes, remove the lid and fluff with a fork.

    Enjoy homemade rice-a-roni as a side dish to one of these meals below.

    • Red Wine Braised Beef
    • Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
    • Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
    • Cherry Meatballs
    A bowl of homemade rice-a-Roni.

    Homemade Rice-a-Roni

    Fluffy rice pilaf, a perfect side dish to complete any meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Author: Erin

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon butter can substitute 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup long grain white rice
    • ½ cup orzo or spaghetti/vermicelli pasta broken into pieces
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder minced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 3 cups chicken beef, or vegetable stock
    • ½ teaspoon white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon parsley or thyme or both dried or fresh minced
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • pinch pepper

    Instructions

    • If using vermicelli or thin spaghetti instead of orzo, you will need to break it off into tiny ½ inch long strands. A food processor works great for this because it chops it up in about 20 seconds.
    • In a medium pot, add the butter (or olive oil), vegetables, small pasta pieces, and rice. 
    • Saute on medium high heat until pasta becomes toasted and browned.
    • Immediately add stock, vinegar, seasonings and herbs, and bring to a boil. Stir, lower heat, cover and steam on lowest setting for 20 minutes.
    • Remove lid, remove from heat, and fluff with a fork!
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFrozenBiscuit or tag #thefrozenbiscuit!
    « Mascarpone Strawberry Cake
    Instant Oatmeal Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Erin, I enjoy creating rustic, from-scratch recipes using seasonal, accessible ingredients and basic pantry staples. More about

    Seasonal Recipes

    A pizza with ranch sauce, zucchini, garlic, chicken, onions, and dill toppings.

    Garlic Ranch & Zucchini Pizza

    White bowl with mango, avocado, red onion and cilantro salsa

    Mango Pico de Gallo

    stack of cheesecake squared with berry swirls

    Mixed Berry Cheesecake Bars

    Cake with white frosting and fresh strawberries on top.

    Strawberry Layered Cake

    Bowl of tomato soup topped with fresh basil leaves and swirl of cream on plate and wooden board.

    Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

    small bowl of cabbage salsa surrounded by corn tortilla chips on a plate next to white fringe towel

    Cabbage Salsa

    refrigerator pickled radishes in two mason jars with dill and black peppercorns

    Pickled Radishes

    wheat hoagie buns piled with garden vegetable chicken salad recipe

    Chicken Salad Sandwich

    This Month's Top Recipes

    Spiral macaroni noodles in a smooth cheese sauce

    How to Melt Cheese for Mac and Cheese

    Oven baked butternut squash halves on a baking sheet.

    How to Bake Butternut Squash in the Oven

    Round casserole dish filled with cheesy, browned casserole.

    Sausage Gravy Breakfast Casserole

    Copycat Arby's beef and cheddar sandwich with homemade Arby's cheese sauce and red ranch sauce on an onion poppy seed bun.

    Copycat Arby's Beef and Cheddar

    Ramekin of homemade butter on a distressed wooden board.

    How to Make Butter with Heavy Whipping Cream

    A basket of biscuits with butter and honey.

    Crisco Biscuits

    Footer

    Copyright © 2020 The Frozen Biscuit on the Brunch Pro Theme

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Accessibility Statement

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Email