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Homemade Rice-A-Roni Recipe

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3.8 from 6 reviews

Homemade Rice-A-Roni is a flavorful, easy-to-make side dish combining golden toasted vermicelli pasta and long grain white rice simmered in a seasoned broth. This comforting recipe offers a delicious alternative to boxed rice mixes, made from scratch with simple pantry ingredients in just 25 minutes.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vermicelli (can be substituted with regular spaghetti noodles)
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (not instant)
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 1/2 cups water

Instructions

  1. Break Vermicelli: Break the vermicelli noodles into small pieces approximately 1-inch long to ensure even toasting and cooking.
  2. Melt Butter: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until fully liquified and beginning to bubble—this creates the base for toasting.
  3. Toast Noodles and Rice: Add the broken vermicelli and rice to the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Continue until the vermicelli turns a golden brown color, indicating a rich, nutty flavor is developing.
  4. Add Liquid and Seasonings: Pour in the 3 1/2 cups of water along with the two chicken bouillon cubes, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  5. Bring to Boil: Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, ensuring the bouillon cubes dissolve completely.
  6. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer gently. Cook for 15 minutes without removing the lid frequently to allow the rice to absorb all the liquid and become tender.
  7. Finish Cooking: Stir occasionally toward the end of cooking to fluff the rice and prevent sticking. Once the rice grains are tender and fluffy, remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute vermicelli with broken spaghetti noodles if vermicelli is unavailable.
  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable bouillon cubes instead of chicken bouillon.
  • Do not lift the lid frequently during simmering to maintain steam for proper rice cooking.
  • Adjust water amount slightly if you prefer softer or firmer rice texture.
  • To add more flavor, consider incorporating sautéed onions or garlic during the butter melting step.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/homemade-rice-a-roni-recipe/