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’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
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
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!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Step by Step Photos of Copycat Rice a Roni in Pressure Cooker
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Leslie says
This was awesome. Made it tonight and everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Tanya says
Thank you Leslie 🙂
Stuart Dick says
Does nobody check these recipes before they are put on the internet? To start with, the prep times are usually off by half an hour to an hour. It takes more than 10 minutes just to get the ingredients out of the cupboard. In this particular recipe the cook time was way off. I followed the recipe ingredients exactly and got the burn signal about 2 minutes into the pressure cook. 10 minutes is way too long and the pressure should be released instantly, not a slow release of 10 minutes.
Tanya says
Sorry you had that experience, Stuart. I've made this recipe as written countless times before and after posting it and haven't had any of the issues you are referring too. Also, the comments reflect modifications others have made as well.
Stuart Dick says
@Tanya, How can we all have a different result if we follow the recipe directly? It makes no sense. If i do make it again, i will add a lot more liquid and cut way down on the cook time. Faster to do it on the stove. Doesn't really taste like real rice-a roni
Chelsea says
@Stuart Dick: Kindness (like this recipe) is free.
Tanya says
❤️
Jane says
@Stuart Dick,
10 minutes to get the items out of your pantry....Sounds like someone's trolling hard. Great job, Tanya. Don't let mean people ruin your day, they just do it because they're upset themselves.
Tanya says
Thank you Jane 🙂
Michele says
Very good! I used 1/3 cup of orzo instead of broken spaghetti and added some fresh Parmesan cheese when it was done. Delicious!
Liz says
This is amazing, thank you!!!
Chava Cohen says
Have made this multiple times in various quantities. Alway a hit. Latest version includes frozen peas added when to top comes off.
Tanya says
I love the addition of peas. Great idea!
Marlene says
Love, love, LOVE this rice recipe! The first time, I followed the directions exactly and it was dry at the end and I ended up adding a lot of broth at the end to get it to the desired consistency. Now, I add 2 cups of chicken broth instead of 1 1/4 and it turns out perfect. I also use gluten free thin spaghetti. Thank you so much! I follow you on Pinterest and have loved everything I have tried that you have posted. <3
Amber C. says
Very pleased with this recipe...it's definitely a keeper! Doubled it, used Barilla fideo cut spaghetti & did 7min w/ 10min npr (forgot parsley, oops)... PERFECT! Love love loved it! (Disclaimer - I do not have the Instant Pot brand, so no burn notice & nothing stuck to the bottom) Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Alice says
Wow! I LOVE Rice-a-Roni but never buy it because of all the ingredients you can’t pronounce. This REALLY tastes like it! I used Minute brown rice and Barilla Protein+ Spaghetti noodles, and dumped some frozen uncooked cubed chicken on top. 5 minutes pressure cook and quick release and dinner was done!
Heather says
I made this for a side with dinner tonight and it was a huge hit. Even my very picky son who won’t eat anything with “green stuff” in it went back for seconds.
This is going to be a house staple from now on.
Tanya says
Yay! I love it when I get my kids to eat green stuff too. So glad everyone liked it.
Donna says
I have made this a few times and every time my family loves it!! My husband requests it. Definitely brings back memories of my childhood... a great copycat healthy recipe!
Shelly says
Planning on making this tonight. Can the recipe be doubled? Thanks.
Tanya says
Hi Shelly, yes it can, but you will want to keep the pressure cook time the same.
jann webb says
I don't have a pressure cooker, can I saute it on the stove, and then cook covered in the microwave? And if so, for how long in the microwave. Thank you, it really looks like the real rice a roni, and sounds delicious.
Tanya says
Hi Jann, I've never microwaved rice before so I'm not sure about the exact cook time. However, I think your plan would work to sauté on the stove first and then place in the microwave. I would just follow the ratios and times you use when cooking plain rice in the microwave.
Barry Gluckstern says
When you say one cup of rice, are you talking about a standard one cup dry measure or are you referring to the rice cup measure that comes with it IP?
Tanya says
A standard one cup dry measure.
Beth says
Making for lunch today along with apple muffins and applesauce. A family favorite! Thanks for the great recipe.
Tanya says
Thank you. So glad you liked the recipe. Also, I want apple muffins now. That sounds delicious.
Kim says
This sounds amazing, but I’m allergic to turmeric. Can I substitute something for it? Is it in there more for flavor or color? Also, I’m curious if you’ve ever tried it with brown rice.
Tanya says
Hi Kim, it's more for color. I'd just leave it out if you are allergic. I haven't tried this particular recipe with brown rice. I generally just cook brown rice in the IP on its own.
Susan says
@Tanya, I made this with whole wheat spaghetti like and brown rice up the liquid to 1.5 cups and the time to 25 minutes. Delicious!