Homemade Rice Pilaf Recipe

Easy Rice Pilaf – just like your favorite boxed mix, but even better! A simple side dish, made at home and with just a few simple ingredients! So delicious you’ll think it’s a special occasion but so easy it’ll become one of your favorite side dishes that your whole family will love!

“The San Francisco Treat” – do you remember those old commercials for boxed Rice-A-Roni? They bring back such fun memories for me of growing up.

Isn’t it funny how nostalgia can give us all the feels? What are some of your favorite commercials growing up?

Make Your Own Rice Pilaf

Today I’m sharing how to make this delicious side dish at home. We’re making Copycat Rice-A-Roni! I have to admit, this recipe not only brought me back, but I was so excited at how delicious it was.

It was also so easy to make, the best part is that it takes only a few ingredients, you won’t need to buy the box again!

I’m going to go out on a limb and say this recipe was WAY better than the original, and the best rice pilaf recipe I’ve ever had. Yep, I said it.

Easy Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli

We’re replicating the original my friends, so this is made with vermicelli! So there are little bits of spaghetti or vermicelli (any thin pasta will do!) browned in butter, to give it a perfect nutty flavor, just like the original.

Instant Pot Rice Pilaf

We’re making things even easier by using our trusted Instant Pot. That means this recipe comes together SO quickly. Perfect for your Summer side dishes of grilled chicken, steak, tofu, fish and seafood.

Rice pilaf is SO versatile and compliments EVERYthing.

Still contemplating whether or not to add an Instant Pot to your kitchen family? I spent a lot of time thinking about it, too. But I can tell you without question, it has become one of my most favorite tools to use.

I almost exclusively use this instead of my slow cooker now (ps: it has a slow cooker function! 2-in-1!).

Here’s the one I use:

*This post contains affiliate links which means that, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and purchase the item(s). It’s how I can continue to bring you yummy recipes and share information about living a balanced life! So, thank you!

What Kind of Rice is in Rice Pilaf?

The best type of rice to use is any long grain rice, or plain white rice. I would choose these over a sticky type rice like a short grain which tends to have more of a creamy texture, but if you like a creamier texture then by all means use what you have. A perfect brown rice is also great and other options or different types of rice:

• Jasmine rice
• Basmati rice
• Brown rice (see if you can find long-grain rice)

Easy Rice Side Dish Recipes

We’re using butter, vermicelli, slivered almonds, long grain white rice, broth and seasonings. We’re also making it in the Instant Pot, which means that we’ve got the perfect one pot dish – easy clean up! This is one of the best recipes and easy rice dish.

Ingredients in Homemade Rice Pilaf

• Butter
• Olive Oil
• Vermicelli, Spaghetti or Angel Hair pasta
• Slivered Almonds
• Long-grain Rice
• Chicken Broth, Chicken Stock or Vegetable Broth or Stock
• Garlic Seasoning
• Salt and black Pepper
• Minced Dried Onion, onion powder
• Paprika
• Dried Parsley, or fresh herbs parsley

How to Make Homemade Rice Pilaf in the InstaPot

1. Set your Instant Pot to Saute
2. Add the butter and olive oil and heat
3. Add the broken pasta and cook long enough to begin to brown – about 2 minutes – watch closely as it happens quickly.
4. Add the almonds and saute for about 30 seconds
5. Add the dry rice, and stir so that all of the butter and oil coats the rice.
6. Add the broth and seasonings and stir.
7. Cancel the Saute function and cover with pressure valve set to Sealing.
8. Using High Pressure function, set time to 3 minutes.
9. Let Instant Pot naturally release for approximately 12 minutes.
10. If the pressure pin has not fallen, carefully manual release until the pin falls.
11. Remove lid and stir the rice to fluff.
12. Stir in the parsley.
13. Serve! 

Can I Make Homemade Rice Pilaf on the Stovetop?

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.
2. Add the vermicelli, cook time about 2 minutes or until beginning to brown.
3. Add the almonds, cook for about 30 seconds.
4. Add the rice, and stir to coat
5. Add the broth and seasonings and stir.
6. Lower the heat to just simmer the rice, cover, then cook until all of the liquid is absorbed. About 16-18 minutes. You may need to add additional broth during this time if your heat is too high, but do so using 2T at a time. Be sure the rice is just simmering.
7. Once the liquid is absorbed, fluff the rice, then stir in the parsley.

Main Dishes to Serve with Healthy Rice Recipes

Homemade Rice Pilaf is an easy side dish recipes made with a few pantry staples and the perfect side dish for many main dishes:

• Grilled Chicken, Steak, Shrimp or Seafood
• Roast chicken
• Pork Chops
• Serve on it’s own and make it vegetarian by adding vegetable broth, vegetable stock, sweet bell peppers, black beans, or some shiitake mushrooms

Recipe updated June 24, 2022*

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