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Easy Homemade Garlic Herb Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo

Close-up of a white bowl filled with fluffy rice pilaf mixed with toasted vermicelli and garnished with chopped parsley.
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Make weeknight dinners better with this quick and easy rice pilaf. This recipe uses long-grain rice, toasted orzo, onion, and garlic cooked in broth for a flavorful, fluffy side dish ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo pasta and cook, stirring often, until it turns light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the rinsed rice, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir and cook for 1 minute to lightly toast the rice grains.
  6. Pour in the broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not remove the lid during this resting time.
  9. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, helping you achieve a fluffier texture.
  • You can substitute basmati rice for long-grain white rice for a more aromatic result.
  • For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
  • This pilaf pairs well with grilled chicken, pork chops, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumdrizzle.com/easy-homemade-garlic-herb-rice-pilaf/