Best 7 Classic Rice Pilaf With Orzo Recipes

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Indulge in the enticing world of rice pilaf, a classic dish that has captivated taste buds for centuries. Our comprehensive guide presents two delectable variations of this culinary masterpiece: the traditional rice pilaf and the innovative rice pilaf with orzo. Embark on a journey through culinary history as we uncover the origins and significance of this beloved dish. Discover the art of selecting the perfect rice and the secrets of achieving that perfect fluffy texture. We'll provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring your rice pilaf turns out flavorful and aromatic every time. Along the way, we'll introduce a vibrant array of complementary dishes that will elevate your rice pilaf experience to new heights. From succulent chicken and tender lamb to an assortment of vegetables and tantalizing sauces, the possibilities are endless.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

RICE PILAF WITH ORZO



Rice Pilaf with Orzo image

So much better than anything that comes out of a box! This easy rice pilaf with orzo is a deliciously simple side dish that goes with just about anything!

Provided by Nancy Buchanan

Categories     Side Dish

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup orzo pasta
1 cup extra long grain white rice
3 cups chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Rinse the rice in a bowl or in a colander under running water. Drain and set aside.
  • In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the orzo and cook, stirring frequently until the orzo is golden brown.
  • Add the rinsed rice and stir for about 2 minutes, until the grains are coated with the butter.
  • Add the stock and stir. Bring to a boil.
  • Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to a low simmer.
  • Simmer the rice pilaf for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and check for doneness.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 236 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Sodium 174 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY STOVETOP RICE PILAF WITH ORZO



Easy Stovetop Rice Pilaf with Orzo image

This Easy Stovetop Rice Pilaf with Orzo is the perfect rice side dish for any meal. Whips up just as fast as the boxed stuff but tastes so much better!

Provided by Erica Walker

Categories     Side Dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 Tbsp. butter
1 c. orzo pasta
1 onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 c. rice
salt and pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp. turmeric (for yellow color)
4 c. chicken broth

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan/pot. Add orzo and cook until golden brown.
  • Add onion and saute until onions become clear.
  • Add garlic and saute for another minute or so.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
  • Remove from heat and remove lid. Let stand for a few minutes then fluff with a fork and serve!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 490 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY RICE PILAF



Easy Rice Pilaf image

This easy Rice Pilaf is a savory, flavorful side dish that goes with almost any meal. It's a step up from plain rice and makes everybody think you went to a lot of extra effort, when it's hardly any more work than Rice-a-Roni. Be sure to check out the notes for additional add-ins to change up this base recipe.

Provided by Amy Nash

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
4 Tablespoons salted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup orzo or broken up angel hair pasta
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 medium onion (diced (about 1/2 cup))
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Combine the chicken broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a medium sauce pan over medium heat to warm. Once the liquid begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, set a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the pasta and stir well to coat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the rice and continue to cook another 4-5 minutes until the rice is bright white.
  • Add the celery and onions and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly, then pour the warm broth mixture into the skillet with the pasta and rice and stir to combine. Bring everything to a simmer, then cover and cook for 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed
  • Sprinkle the rice pilaf with the chopped parsley, then fluff with a fork. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 497 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

RICE PILAF WITH ORZO



Rice Pilaf with Orzo image

This Rice Pilaf with Orzo recipe is your new favorite side dish. It is super simple to make, but it is easy to customize with my four pilaf variations for any meal or season.

Provided by A Food Folks and Fun Original!

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion (chopped fine)
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup long-grain white rice
½ cup orzo
2 large garlic cloves (minced)
2 ¼ cups chicken broth
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large pan with a lid, preheat the pan over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil, onion, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • Saute the onion until it just begins to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the rice and orzo and cook while constantly stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
  • Pour in the broth, give everything a good stir, and bring everything to a boil.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with the lid.
  • Cook until the rice and orzo is tender, about 20-22 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat, and let the pilaf sit, covered, for 8 minutes. Fluff the pilaf with a fork, and stir in the parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 520 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 0.5 cup

SARAH'S RICE PILAF



Sarah's Rice Pilaf image

This is a delicious twist to traditional rice.

Provided by sarahbillings

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons butter
½ cup orzo pasta
½ cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a lidded skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 524.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

CLASSIC RICE PILAF



Classic Rice Pilaf image

Cooking a perfect batch of white rice without a rice cooker can be a challenge. That's why we are going for forget about cooking rice on the stove and show you the incredibly delicious and absolutely foolproof world of pilaf!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ onion, chopped
2 cups long-grain white rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 pinch saffron
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Melt butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion is lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Combine rice and onion mixture in a 9x13-inch casserole dish placed on a baking sheet. Stir thoroughly to coat the rice.
  • Combine chicken stock, salt, saffron, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Pour chicken stock mixture over rice in the casserole dish and stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly along the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove foil and fluff with a fork to separate the grains of rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 312.4 calories, Carbohydrate 51.7 g, Cholesterol 10.6 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 955.6 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

ORZO AND RICE PILAF WITH VEGETABLES



Orzo and Rice Pilaf with Vegetables image

Categories     Onion     Pasta     Side     Sauté     Quick & Easy     Almond     Celery     Carrot     Zucchini     Spring     Parsley     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 6 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2/3 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice (2/3 cup)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup long-grain white rice
1 3/4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (14 fl oz)
1 cup water
1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 1/4 cups)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Heat oil and butter in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté orzo, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add rice and sauté, stirring, until coated with oil and butter.
  • Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and quickly stir in zucchini, then let stand, covered, 5 minutes. (Zucchini will steam.) Stir in parsley and serve sprinkled with almonds.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pilaf will be. Choose long-grain rice that is free of impurities, and use flavorful broth or stock instead of water.
  • Rinse the rice: Rinsing the rice removes the starch, which helps to prevent the pilaf from becoming sticky. Be sure to rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
  • Toast the rice: Toasting the rice in the butter or oil before adding the liquid helps to develop its flavor and give the pilaf a nutty aroma.
  • Use the right ratio of liquid to rice: The amount of liquid you use will depend on the type of rice you are using. For long-grain rice, a ratio of 1 1/2 cups of liquid to 1 cup of rice is a good starting point.
  • Cook the pilaf over low heat: Cooking the pilaf over low heat allows the rice to cook evenly and absorb all of the liquid. Avoid stirring the pilaf too much, as this can break up the rice grains.
  • Let the pilaf rest before serving: Letting the pilaf rest before serving allows the rice to fully absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. Fluff the pilaf with a fork before serving.

Conclusion:

Classic rice pilaf with orzo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect pilaf every time.

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