Homemade Rice-a-Roni

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

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.

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

Fluffy rice pilaf, a perfect side dish to complete any meal.

5 from 1 vote

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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!

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