Growing up I really liked homemade Rice-a-Roni. Fortunately, there is an easy way to make it without buying the sodium laced box of mystery ingredients. This healthy rice-a-roni copycat recipe (rice pilaf with orzo or vermicelli) tastes really good. Really good. And the good news is that you probably have all of this in your pantry.
It's just as easy to make rice-a-roni from scratch as it is to make it from a box. These instructions are quick and delicious.
Boxed foods of any type are usually full of preservatives and often contain MSG. Making this homemade rice-a-roni from scratch at home you are able to control how much sodium and other spices you include. There are no MSG or preservatives added.
This recipe is easily converted to gluten free. Buy a gluten free orzo or thin pasta for the recipe. Always read the ingredients on your packages to make sure everything is gluten free.
Healthy Rice-a-Roni Copycat Recipe Ingredients
There are many ways to change up this healthy rice-a-roni copycat recipe but these are the main ingredients:
- Rice: Use your favorite type of rice. I prefer to use Basmati rice and avoid rices that take longer to cook.
- Pasta: Use a small, thin pasta. I prefer vermicelli or orzo. These are usually easy to find in American grocery stores. You can also break up any thin pasta into small pieces.
- Broth: Use chicken or vegetable broth.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is in the recipe but salted butter is fine as well. You might want to decrease the salt in the recipe.
- Spices: There are so many options for spices. Use your favorite variations or follow the recipe.
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Homemade Rice-A-Roni Instructions
This recipe is a great starting point. After you've made it a few times you might want to switch up the spices to make it to your liking. You can add a lot of different combinations of spices to make this homemade rice pilaf with orzo (or vermicelli) suit any main dish.
Saute your pasta. Add rice and spices to pan.
1. Saute the pasta.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter. Add the pasta and saute, stirring constantly, until the pasta is lightly browned.
2. Add rice and spices.
Add the rice and spices to your pan. Stir until they are coated with butter.
Stir rice, spices and pasta. Add broth to the pan.
3. Add broth.
Add your chicken or vegetable broth. Stir.
4. Simmer.
Bring broth to a light simmer. Cover and cook until the broth is absorbed.
Remove cooked rice from the heat. Fluff with a fork. Serve while warm. This makes a great side dish with ribs, barbecue chicken, chicken in wine sauce or salmon.
Love this healthy rice-a-roni copycat recipe? Leave a comment or review!
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Orzo (or use a thin pasta like vermicelli)
- ¾ cup white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth (use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1-2 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, saute pasta in butter until lightly browned.
- Stir in rice and spices until it is all coated in butter.
- Add the broth, stir.
- Cover with a tight fitting lid. Simmer lightly until broth is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this healthy rice-a-roni copycat recipe you might also like:
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Jill says
Something about that seasoning is the spot on rice-o-roni flavor! Loved that it was so easy to make at home now! Perfect.
Sunrita says
Love one pan dishes. This is such a unique recipe to put orzo and rice together. Add few veges and there is a complete meal.
Jerika says
This healthy rice-a-roni copycat recipe is awesome, can't wait to try it on our left over rice, instead of just making it fried rice. I will try this recipe. Thanks!:)
Shelby says
One pan dish for the win! This rice a roni was a huge hit with the kids- simple flavor!
Ramona says
What a great recipe this was. I am making it again. It is a great combo!