This homemade rice pilaf with orzo pasta is a delicious warm side dish that feels fancy and makes any dinner feel a little more upscale, even though it’s incredibly easy to make. Plus, homemade tastes WAY better than the kind from a box, too! Seriously, why pay money for a small box of flavored rice with dried out veggies, when you can mix your favorite seasonings, fresh vegetables, and rice at home and create an amazing taste experience. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? When it’s time for dinner, don’t forget about the sides! Some of our other favorites are Easy Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Green Beans with Bacon & Pine Nuts, and Oven Roasted Broccoli.
What is Orzo Pilaf?
Rice pilaf is a rice and pasta dish that often uses broth or stock as the cooking liquid rather than water and adds in seasonings and vegetables for a savory side that complements many protein-centric main dish options.
Ingredients for Orzo Pilaf Rice
Chicken Broth Butter Seasonings – Kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper add plenty of flavor so the rice pilaf isn’t bland. Olive Oil Pasta – You can use either orzo pasta or break up a bunch of angel hair pasta into very small pieces. Long-grain White Rice Celery Onion Parsley
How to make Rice Pilaf Orzo
How to make Orzo Rice in the Instant Pot
Orzo Rice Pilaf Variations
One of the best things about this easy rice pilaf is that you can change it up to make it unique every time. Some additional (and optional) add-ins include:
Chopped carrots Finely chopped bell peppers Chopped mushrooms A handful or two of frozen peas Sliced almonds Golden raisins
Note that vegetables like carrots, peppers, mushrooms, or peas need to be added during the celery and onion step so they can soften a bit first. Almonds or raisins can be added later with the broth (which will help plump raisins), or even stirred in at the end once the rice pilaf has cooked.
What goes with Rice Pilaf with Orzo?
Garam Masala Salmon Grilled Whole Fish Whole Roasted Mexican Chicken with Vegetables Applewood Smoked Turkey Mom’s Chicken Cordon Bleu
How to store Orzo Rice
Allow the rice pilaf to cool to room temperature before storing it. This prevents condensation inside the storage container. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to reheat Rice Pilaf with Orzo
When reheating, add a little water or broth to the rice pilaf and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. This helps restore moisture and prevents the rice from drying out. To microwave, place the rice pilaf in a microwave-safe container. Add a small amount of water or broth to moisten it slightly. Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat the rice pilaf in the microwave on medium power in short intervals, stirring between each interval. This helps distribute heat evenly and prevents hot spots. For the stovetop approach, place the leftover rice pilaf in a saucepan or skillet. Add a small amount of liquid, such as water or broth. Heat the rice pilaf over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even reheating. The added liquid will create steam, helping to moisten the rice. Continue reheating until the rice pilaf is evenly hot all the way through.
More Classic Side Dishes
Cafe Rio Black Beans Creamy Roasted Garlic & Mushroom Risotto Easy Homemade German Spaetzle The BEST Homemade Mashed Potatoes Brazilian White Rice Greek Lemon Rice
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Homemade Mexican Rice (aka Spanish Rice)
Coconut Rice
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