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Home » Recipes » Gluten-free Side Dishes

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

Published: Dec 31, 2022 Modified: Jun 21, 2023 by Isabel

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This easy Homemade Rice-a-Roni is so much better than boxed, and easy to customize with your favorite add-ins and sauces! My rice-a-roni recipe is fluffy and light, and ready in just 30 minutes using easy ingredients your family will love. Give it a try as a side dish for your next family dinner, and you will crave making it again!

rice a roni in a pot
Jump to:
  • Rice-a-Roni Recipe
  • Rice-a-Roni Ingredients
  • How to Make Rice-a-Roni
  • Rice-a-Roni Recipe Tips
  • What can I add to rice-a-Roni?
  • Make-Ahead Rice-a-Roni
  • Rice-a-Roni Recipes FAQs
  • Rice Recipes
  • Rice-a-Roni Recipe

Rice-a-Roni Recipe

My kids loved rice-a-roni growing up, but when it comes to rice side dishes, I always prefer to make them completely from scratch so I can watch what goes into them and cook the rice to my liking. That's where this homemade rice-a-roni recipe comes in!

This is an easy and tasty rice-a-roni recipe - plus, it's completely gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and it's ready in no time. Seriously - it only takes 30 minutes!

You can customize homemade rice-a-roni however you like, from adding in your favorite protein or vegetables, to mixing in your favorite sauce. My kids love rice-a-roni with broccoli and cheese sauce as a side dish for roasted chicken.

How will you make your rice-a-roni side dish? Let me know in the comments below - I'd love to hear about your favorite way to prepare this recipe!

rice a roni on a plate with broccoli

Rice-a-Roni Ingredients

  • Brown rice
  • Spaghetti noodles (gluten-free or regular)
  • Butter
  • Chicken stock
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Oregano
rice a roni ingredients with labels

How to Make Rice-a-Roni

  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
    melting butter in a pan
  2. Add rice and pasta and toast until golden-brown, stirring as necessary.
    browning noodles and rice in a pan
  3. Pour in chicken stock and season with salt, garlic powder, and oregano.
    adding chicken stock to a pan
  4. Cover with a lid and simmer 25-35 minutes, until the pasta and rice are cooked through and tender.
    rice a roni simmering
  5. Serve and enjoy! Add extra butter in at the end, if you like.
rice a roni on a wooden spoon

Rice-a-Roni Recipe Tips

  • Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles, not vermicelli noodles, for the best results. Gluten-free spaghetti is much sturdier than gluten-free vermicelli noodles.
  • Cook the rice in chicken stock for the best flavor. You could also use vegetable stock if preferred.
  • Use a low-sodium chicken stock to avoid your rice-a-Roni becoming too salty. Taste test if you aren't sure.

What can I add to rice-a-Roni?

My family's favorite additions to homemade rice-a-roni are:

  • Cheese Sauce and broccoli
  • Crockpot Taco Meat
  • Roasted Tomatoes
  • Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms

Make-Ahead Rice-a-Roni

You can easily make rice-a-Roni ahead of time by preparing all of the ingredients beforehand to put together homemade rice-a-Roni kits! This makes the process as easy as grabbing a storebought box - but so much better.

  1. Measure out and break the pasta into bite-size pieces.
  2. Measure out the rice. Add it and the broken pasta pieces to a ziplock bag or airtight container.
  3. Measure out the seasoning used in the recipe and place it in a ziplock bag or airtight container.
  4. Store both until ready to use - all you will need to do is add chicken stock and butter!

I like to prepare homemade rice-a-Roni in big batches to make whenever my family wants it. It's easy to do! Store as much as you need, then prepare it when ready.

rice a roni on a white plate with broccoli and parsley

Rice-a-Roni Recipes FAQs

How much water do you put in Rice-A-Roni?

For homemade rice-a-Roni, use 1½ cups chicken stock for ½ cup brown rice and ¼ cup spaghetti noodle pieces. Chicken stock adds flavor to the rice and pasta, so I recommend using it rather than water.

Can I freeze Rice-A-Roni?

You can freeze leftover rice-a-Roni for up to 1 month. Label with the date in an airtight, freezer-safe container after cooling. When ready to enjoy, defrost it overnight and then microwave or reheat it on the stovetop over low-medium heat.

How long is leftover Rice-A-Roni good for?

Homemade leftover rice-a-roni lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat over low-medium heat on the stove or in the microwave, and enjoy!

Rice Recipes

  • Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Instant Pot Rice
  • Beans and Rice Recipe
  • How to Cook Rice in the Microwave
  • How to Cook Rice

Did you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and leave a rating! We love to hear from you.

rice a roni in a pot

Rice-a-Roni Recipe

Isabel Laessig
Learn how to make rice-a-roni from scratch following this easy homemade rice-a-roni recipe! Gluten-free, customizable, and delicious.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 88 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot or deep pan

Ingredients
  

  • ½ Cup Brown rice
  • ¼ Cup gluten-free spaghetti broken in pieces
  • 2 Tablespoon Butter
  • 1.5 Cups gluten-free chicken stock
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Oregano

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
    2 Tablespoon Butter
    melting butter in a pan
  • Add rice and pasta and toast until golden-brown, stirring as necessary.
    ¼ Cup gluten-free spaghetti broken in pieces, ½ Cup Brown rice
    browning noodles and rice in a pan
  • Pour in chicken stock and season with salt, garlic powder, and oregano.
    1 Teaspoon Salt, ½ Teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 Teaspoon Oregano, 1.5 Cups gluten-free chicken stock
    adding chicken stock to a pan
  • Cover with a lid and simmer 25-35 minutes, until the pasta and rice are cooked through and tender.
    rice a roni simmering
  • Serve and enjoy! Add extra butter in at the end, if you like.
    rice a roni on a wooden spoon

Notes

  • Use gluten-free spaghetti noodles, not vermicelli noodles, for best results. Gluten-free spaghetti is much sturdier than gluten-free vermicelli noodles.
  • Cook the rice in chicken stock for the best flavor. You could also use vegetable stock, if preferred.
  • Use a low sodium chicken stock to avoid your rice-a-roni becoming too salty. Taste test if you aren't sure.
Make-ahead instructions:
  1. Measure out and break the pasta into bite-size pieces.
  2. Measure out the rice. Add it and the broken pasta pieces to a ziplock bag or airtight container.
  3. Measure out the seasoning used in the recipe and place it in a ziplock bag or airtight container.
  4. Store both until ready to use - all you will need to do is add chicken stock and butter!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword homemade rice-a-roni, rice a roni recipes, rice-a-roni recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
  • Author
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Isabel
Isabel
Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me
Isabel
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About Isabel

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

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