Best 10 Rice Pilaf With Spinach Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful flavors of aromatic rice pilaf, a culinary masterpiece that combines fluffy rice with vibrant spinach and a medley of savory spices. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore three distinct rice pilaf recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From the vibrant green spinach rice pilaf, bursting with freshness and flavor, to the hearty and comforting mushroom rice pilaf, packed with umami-rich mushrooms, and the tantalizingly spiced turmeric rice pilaf, infused with warm and earthy turmeric notes, these recipes promise a sensory adventure that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY SPINACH RICE PILAF



Cheesy Spinach Rice Pilaf image

Cheesy Spinach Rice Pilaf

Provided by The Rachael Ray Staff

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup orzo
1 clove garlic
finely chopped or grated
1 cup light brown or white rice
such as Texmati brand
1 3/4 cups chicken stock or broth
regular or low-sodium
Salt and ground black pepper
2 bunches fresh spinach
chopped (about 4 cups) or 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach
defrosted
3/4 to 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Steps:

  • Place a medium pot over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons
  • Add the orzo to the pan and toast until golden brown, 3-4 minutes
  • Add the garlic to the pan and continue cooking for another 30 seconds
  • Add the rice, broth, salt and pepper to the pan and bring up to a bubble
  • Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes
  • Fluff the finished rice with a fork and fold in the spinach and cheese
  • Serve alongside Lemon Pepper Chicken

SARAH'S FETA RICE PILAF



Sarah's Feta Rice Pilaf image

Rice and orzo pasta merge with the flavors of onion and garlic to create this versatile side dish. Bulgarian feta gives the dish a decadent creaminess while spinach adds beautiful color. You can get Bulgarian feta cheese at most international grocery stores. Bulgarian feta is creamier than the Greek version which tends to be very dry.

Provided by jmerar

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons butter
½ cup orzo pasta
½ cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup chopped spinach
½ cup chopped Bulgarian feta cheese

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir oro in the melted butter until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir onion into orzo and cook until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Cook and stir garlic into orzo-onion mixture until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Mix rice and chicken broth into orzo-onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover skillet, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in spinach and feta. Cover and let stand until spinach is wilted and feta is melted, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.2 calories, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 34.5 mg, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 8.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 739.5 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

RICE PILAF WITH SPINACH



Rice Pilaf with spinach image

This is a delicious variation of rice pilaf...and adds a bit of nutrition (shh...don't tell the kids). Neither of my kids will eat spinach on its own, but this is their favorite rice

Provided by Penny B

Categories     Rice Sides

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 pkg of your favorite rice pilaf (i use near east or knorr)
4 c water
2 Tbsp butter or margerine (optional)
1 pkg baby spinach

Steps:

  • 1. Make rice per package directions.
  • 2. When rice is done cooking and ready to set, add the package of baby spinach (don't worry--it will look like a LOT of spinach, but it will be fine) and re-cover.
  • 3. Let set covered three or more minutes to steam the spinach.
  • 4. Uncover and stir until everything is blended together beautifully (see, I told you the amount of spinach would be reasonable). If needed, re-cover and let steam some more if the spinach is still too separate.
  • 5. Serve and enjoy.

SPINACH AND LEMON RICE PILAF



Spinach and Lemon Rice Pilaf image

Great side dish for roast or grilled chicken, grilled steak or fish. The vegetables and lemon give a wonderful fresh garden taste. You can vary the amounts of the veggies to your taste. I use just a little more rice to stock than usual as I prefer a slightly drier pilaf.

Provided by Semra22

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 3/4 cups converted long grain rice
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon salt (you may wish to reduce this if you are using a salty stock)
1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves, cut into strips
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 -2 tablespoon butter
1 lemon, juice of

Steps:

  • Bring the stock to a boil, add rice, reduce heat to low and simmer till done. (About 40 minutes).
  • Melt the butter in a frying pan, add spinach, carrot and green onions, saute over medium low heat till spinach is wilted and vegetables softened, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir vegetable mixture and lemon juice into hot cooked rice, fluff with fork and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262.9, Fat 3.7, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 8.7, Sodium 290.7, Carbohydrate 48.9, Fiber 1, Sugar 2.5, Protein 7.1

SPINACH-FETA RICE PILAF, SLICED STEAK WITH OREGANO SAUCE, AND BROILED TOMATOES WITH PARSLEY



Spinach-Feta Rice Pilaf, Sliced Steak with Oregano Sauce, and Broiled Tomatoes with Parsley image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Extra-virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup orzo
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cup long grain rice
2 cups chicken stock
1 large bundle farm spinach, washed and dried
Freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup Greek feta crumbles
2 (1-pound) pieces flank steak (2-pounds total)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for coating
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1 red chile pepper, chopped or sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons butter
1 lemon, juiced
6 plum tomatoes, halved
A generous handful flat-leaf parsley, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • For the rice: Heat a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a saucepot with tight fitting lid. To the melted butter, add the orzo and lightly toast. Add the onion and cook to soften, 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and 1 1/2 cups of stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Preheat the broiler.
  • For the beef: Heat a cast iron griddle or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat flank steaks in extra-virgin olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. When the grill is very hot, cook the meat 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare or 15 minutes for medium, turning occasionally. When the meat has been cooking for about 5 minutes, start the sauce in a small saucepot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, shallot, chile pepper, and oregano. Stir 2 to 3 minutes, and then add the butter. When the butter melts, stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat.
  • For the rice: Add the remaining splash of stock along with the spinach to a food processor and process to a fine chop. Stir the spinach into the rice and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cover, turn off the heat, and let stand 2 more minutes. Fluff the rice with fork and stir in the feta.
  • For the tomatoes: Season halved tomatoes with salt and pepper and top with parsley. Drizzle the tomatoes liberally with extra-virgin olive oil and broil 3 to 4 minutes. Allow the meat to rest a bit then very thinly slice against the grain. Serve the sliced steak with a side of rice, a spoon of sauce over top, and a 2 tomato halves per person.;

SPINACH PILAF



Spinach Pilaf image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 cups cooked basmati rice
3 bunches spinach, stems trimmed
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onions until lightly browned. Reduce heat, add ground spices, and stir briefly. Add cooked rice. Cook just enough to heat rice through, stirring well to combine.
  • Melt remaining butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute spinach with salt just until leaves are wilted. Toss into hot rice and onion mixture and serve immediately.

SPANAKORIZO - GREEK SPINACH RICE



Spanakorizo - Greek Spinach Rice image

Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice) is the comfort food of your dreams. It gives you all the cozy, feel-good vibes but is also loaded with nutrients from spinach, plus flavor from dried herbs and a splash of lemon juice. This easy Greek rice recipe can be enjoyed as a vegetarian main for 4 people or as a side with your favorite protein (up to 6 people).

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Side Dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup medium grain rice
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion (chopped)
1 pound baby spinach
1 lemon, juiced
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoon dried mint flakes
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
Feta (for garnish)

Steps:

  • Rinse the rice well a few times until the water runs clear. Put the rice in a bowl and add water to cover it by 1 inch. Let is sit to soak for 20 minutes or until you are easily able to break one grain of rice between your fingers.
  • Heat ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil in a braising pan. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until soft and golden brown. Add the spinach, lemon juice, garlic, tomato paste, and a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Sautee the spinach until just wilted. Stir in the mint and dill weed.
  • Drain the rice well and add it to the pan. Add 1 ½ cups of warm water. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes until the water reduces a bit. Turn the heat to low and cover.
  • Let the rice cook undisturbed for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and fully cooked through and all the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Once cooked, let the rice sit covered for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
  • When ready, fluff the rice with a fork and garnish for feta and parsley, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.6 kcal, Carbohydrate 55.7 g, Protein 7.9 g, Fat 14.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 446.9 mg, Fiber 5.1 g, Sugar 2.6 g, UnsaturatedFat 10.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SPINACH RICE PILAF



Spinach Rice Pilaf image

This Spinach Rice Pilaf is a great side to any chicken, meat or poultry. I was searching for this recipe after having this dish at a Greek resturant, and found it on another website. It has very little fat, and lots of spinach and other veggies, so it is healthy too.

Provided by ashleyann12

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 40m

Yield 6-8 cups, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium carrot, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 leeks, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3/4 cup long-grain rice
1/2 cup canned tomato, chopped
1 cup chicken stock
1 pinch salt and pepper
1 lb spinach, rinsed, stems removed
2 teaspoons Italian parsley, chopped
2 sprigs dill, chopped 2 sprigs

Steps:

  • Heat oil in pan until hot. Saute carrot, onion, leeks and celery for 5 minutes. Add rice; saute 1 minute.
  • Add tomatoes; saute 2 minutes. Add all but 2 Tbsp stock. Bring to simmer; add salt and pepper. Cover; cook 10 minutes.
  • Add spinach; stir. Add remaining stock, if needed, and herbs. Cover; cook 5 minutes.

RICE AND WHEAT BERRY PILAF WITH BABY SPINACH



Rice and Wheat Berry Pilaf with Baby Spinach image

Categories     Berry     Rice     Side     Vegetarian     High Fiber     Low/No Sugar     Spinach     Fall     Healthy     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Vegan     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup wheat berries*
5 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup basmati rice**
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 6-ounce package baby spinach leaves

Steps:

  • Place wheat berries in heavy medium saucepan. Add enough cold water to saucepan to cover wheat berries by 3 inches. Let stand overnight. Drain.
  • Bring 4 cups water, wheat berries and 3/4 teaspoon salt to boil in same saucepan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until wheat berries are tender but still slightly firm to bite, about 1 hour. Drain.
  • Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and garlic; stir 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1 3/4 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until liquid is almost absorbed and rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add spinach and cooked wheat berries; stir until spinach wilts and wheat berries are heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
  • *Also called hard wheat berries. Available at most natural foods stores.
  • **Available at Indian markets and many supermarkets.

RICE PILAF



Rice Pilaf image

Toasting small pieces of angel hair pasta gives this rice pilaf dish a nutty flavor. Serve this with our Mediterranean Chicken.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Rice Recipes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons (1/2-inch pieces) angel-hair pasta, broken from about 30 strands
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 (about 3/4 cup) small onion, finely chopped
Pinch of coarse salt
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 1/2 cups or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

Steps:

  • Heat a dry, small saucepan over high heat until hot. Add the pasta, and cook, stirring, until deep golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add butter; cook, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir in onion and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in rice, and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
  • Add stock to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let pilaf stand, covered, 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Tips:

  • Use the right rice. Long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, is best for pilaf. These rices have a light, fluffy texture that is perfect for pilaf.
  • Rinse the rice before cooking. This will remove any starch from the rice, which will help prevent it from sticking together.
  • Sauté the rice in butter or oil before adding the liquid. This will help to toast the rice and give it a nutty flavor.
  • Use a flavorful liquid. Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water can be used to make pilaf. But for a more flavorful pilaf, use a combination of broth and water.
  • Add vegetables and herbs. Vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions are classic additions to pilaf. Herbs such as parsley, thyme, and rosemary can also be added for extra flavor.
  • Cook the pilaf until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
  • Fluff the pilaf with a fork before serving. This will help to separate the grains of rice and make the pilaf light and fluffy.

Conclusion:

Rice pilaf is a simple but delicious dish that can be served as a side dish or main course. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. With these tips, you can make perfect rice pilaf every time.

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