This Copycat Rice a Roni recipe is even better than the boxed version. Make it in the Instant Pot for a hands off quick, easy, and healthier side dish.

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You ever have a random craving for a meal from your childhood? Happens to me quite often. I’ll be thinking of what to create in my kitchen and I’ll get a sudden urge for a dish I hadn’t had in years. That’s how it was when it came to this Rice a Roni.
Even as an adult, I used to buy the flavored rice and pastas from the dried goods section of the supermarket. Once I realized that these things were full of sodium and other no no ingredients, I stopped buying them.
As a matter of fact, I discovered that it was much easier and cheaper to make flavored rice out of ingredients I already had in my pantry.
Hence this homemade copycat rice a roni was born. I recall the first time I made it to go along with a delicious steak dinner I made for hubby and myself. Apparently he used to eat rice a roni as a kid too and loved it. So I made this copycat rice a roni, plated it beside a delicious steak and asparagus dinner, and waited for the verdict.
Initially, he thought it came from the box and he claimed I doctored it up somehow because it tasted so delicious. He was in shock when I told him it wasn’t from a box. As a matter of fact, he didn’t believe me, still doesn’t believe, and always looks in the trash for a rice a roni box as evidence when I make it.
I tend to make all my rice in my Instant Pot now and this copycat rice a roni is no different. Reason being is that with the right ratio, rice cooked in the pressure cooker always comes out perfect. I tend to walk away and forget to lower the stove when it comes to stove top rice. The pressure cooker allows me to place my ingredients in the pot, set my timer, and go on to the rest of my meal. Perfection and no more burned rice bottom.

The great thing about this rice a roni is that you can prep the majority of the ingredients ahead of time. No need for a rice a roni seasoning packet when all the dry herbs and spices are in your cupboard. The only herb in this recipe that isn’t dried is the parsley. Dry parsley can be substituted but fresh parsley is so much better.
I hope you enjoy this homemade copycat rice a roni as much as we do. I hope your family believes you when you tell them it’s not from the box. As always, Enjoy 🙂
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes with rice? Try these out:
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice (Halal Cart Copycat)
Instant Pot Rice and Beans (Jamaican Style)
Or Find All of My Pressure Cooker Recipes Here.
CopyCat Rice a Roni in the Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon butter
- 2 oz thin spaghetti noodles broken into small pieces
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon minced dry onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley* chopped
Instructions
- Combine dry thyme, minced dry onion, garlic powder, salt, and turmeric. Set aside.
- Set pressure cooker to sauté. Once Hot, add butter and let melt. Once melted, add thin spaghetti noodles and stir until toasted, about 2 minutes.
- Add rice and stir for about 30 seconds, until slightly toasted.
- Add spice mixture and chicken broth and stir, ensuring that there are no pieces stuck to the bottom. Turn off sauté mode on pressure cooker and set pressure cooker on Manual mode for 8 minutes. Cover pressure cooker, making sure valve is set to sealed.
- Once pressure cooking time is done, allow to natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure by moving valve to “venting”
- Open lid and add chopped parsley. Fluff with fork and Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Step by Step Photos of Copycat Rice a Roni in Pressure Cooker
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Nicole
Monday 13th of March 2023
My family and I loveeee this recipe. Thank you for making it so delish and easy. My toddler says the noodles look like “hair” lol!
Tanya
Thursday 16th of March 2023
Lol, so cute! Thanks so much for sharing Nicole. So glad you and your family loved the recipe.
Denise
Thursday 2nd of March 2023
This recipe is fabulous! I doubled it in my instant pot! Also used gluten free pasta rotini noodles crushed …. Turned out great. Thanks for the recipe!
Tanya
Friday 3rd of March 2023
Thank you Denise! So happy you liked the recipe :)
Kathy
Thursday 23rd of June 2022
This is very good! I make it on the stovetop and it turns out perfect every time.
Lisa
Monday 11th of April 2022
We LOVED it! Now if you could find the copycat for Kikoman/sun bird fried rice seasoning! :) This was very good. I will be making it again!
Linda
Tuesday 1st of March 2022
I see purple cabbage on a plate. Do you have a recipe for that?
Tanya
Friday 4th of March 2022
Hi Linda, yes, I have a purple sweet and sour cabbage recipe. https://www.myforkinglife.com/sweet-and-sour-cabbage/