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One bite of my easy, gluten-free Rice-A-Roni Recipe and you will be hooked! I guarantee you won’t want to buy it in a box again. My homemade rice-a-roni is a scrumptious rice side dish that’s light, fluffy, and ready in 30 minutes using simple ingredients!
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Homemade Rice-A-Roni
Once you see how easy it is to make homemade rice-a-roni, I bet you will never switch back to boxed! My rice-a-roni recipe is simple but flavorful, and because it’s homemade, you know exactly what’s going into it and can customize it how you like.
Homemade Rice-A-Roni is kid-friendly and quick to throw together whenever you’re in the need for easy gluten-free rice sides. Rice-a-roni pairs perfectly with chicken, fish, steak, or even shrimp!
Try making my easy rice-a-roni recipe and adding in your favorite ingredients to really make it your own. I know your family will love it as much as mine does!
Rice-A-Roni Recipe FAQs
Rice-A-Roni is a very popular rice side dish that normally comes as a boxed rice mix. It consists of rice and very thin vermicelli pasta noodles cooked in a little bit of butter, and simmered in a broth of seasonings. Homemade rice-a-roni uses the same essential ingredients.
In traditional Rice-A-Roni, long grain white rice, along with vermicelli or spaghetti pasta, is used. Long grain rice does come in different varieties, and they all have their own distinctive flavor. For this dish, I use long grain brown rice, but you can use any kind you prefer.
Boxed rice-a-roni is not gluten-free as it typically uses a wheat-based pasta in the mix. However, it is very easy to make gluten-free rice-a-roni at home.
Rice-A-Roni Ingredients
- Brown rice
- Gluten-free Spaghetti
- Butter
- Chicken Stock
- Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Oregano
How to Make Gluten Free Rice-A-Roni
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
- Add rice and pasta on medium-high heat. Toast the rice and pasta while stirring until golden brown.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Cover with a lid and simmer for 25-35 minutes or until pasta and rice are tender.
- Additional butter may be added if desired. Stir and serve this delicious side dish!
What can you add to rice-a-roni?
Although rice-a-roni is delicious as is, there are still many different ways to add extra flavor. Even more than the boxed variety, this is a super versatile dish! A few of my favorites are…
- Button mushrooms
- Fresh chopped herbs
- Cheese sauce
- Candied bacon
- Sautéed mushrooms and onions
- Simple paprika
Easy Make Ahead Rice-A-Roni Kits
I know what you’re thinking- grabbing a box of Rice-A-Roni would be so much easier than measuring all of the ingredients out. That’s why I love preparing these make ahead Rice-A-Roni Kits!
- Measure out the rice and pasta and place into a ziplock bag or airtight container
- Measure out the seasoning and place into a ziplock bag or airtight container
Now, all you have to add is water and butter! Easy and convenient just like the boxed variety. You can simply take out the already portioned ingredients when you need them, and your meal prep is done.
How to Freeze Leftover Rice-A-Roni
If you have any leftover Rice-A-Roni, it freezes perfectly! Add any extras into an airtight container after cooling, and freeze for up to one month. Make sure to label with the freezing date.
When you have a busy night, simply defrost your rice-a-roni and microwave or reheat on your stovetop.
Recipe Tips
- Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles: I’ve found that gluten-free vermicelli noodles fall apart in this recipe, so gluten-free spaghetti noodles are a much sturdier choice.
- Make sure to cook the rice in chicken stock: This gives that comforting flavor found in the box mixes. If you want, you could also use vegetable stock. Look for gluten-free chicken stock if cooking strictly gluten-free.
- Using a low sodium chicken stock: You don’t want your rice to end up too salty.
More Rice Dishes
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📋 Recipe
Rice-A-Roni Recipe (Gluten-Free)
Equipment
- 1 large pan or pot
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Brown rice
- ¼ Cup Spaghetti gluten-free, broken in pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1.5 Cups Chicken stock gluten-free
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon Oregano
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan.1 Tablespoon Butter
- Add rice and pasta on medium-high heat. Toast the rice and pasta while stirring until golden brown.½ Cup Brown rice, ¼ Cup Spaghetti
- Add remaining ingredients.½ Cup Brown rice, ¼ Cup Spaghetti, 1.5 Cups Chicken stock, 1 Teaspoon Salt, 1 Teaspoon Oregano, 1 Teaspoon Garlic powder
- Cover with a lid and simmer for 25-35 minutes until or pasta and rice are tender.
- Additional butter may be added if desired. Stir and serve this delicious side dish!
Notes
- Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles: I’ve found that using gluten-free vermicelli noodles, they fall apart.
- Make sure to cook the rice in chicken stock: This gives that comforting flavor found in the box mixes.
- Using a low sodium chicken stock: You don’t want your rice to end up too salty.
- Following a gluten-free meal plan: look for gluten-free chicken stock.
Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe!