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 ¼ 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
Pin Copycat Rice a Roni for later
Lisa says
This was so good! The whole family loved it and I’m so glad to be able able to make a healthier version. Followed the directions exactly and it was perfect!
Tanya says
So glad to hear Lisa 🙂 I agree, I'm all for the healthier version.
Anne says
What is the recommended cook time if using brown rice in this recipe?
Tanya says
I haven't used brown rice in the recipe. However, I generally cook brown rice in the Instant Pot a total of 23 minutes. https://www.myforkinglife.com/instant-pot-brown-rice/
Charlie says
Made it!
Oh, the memories!
Tastes just like it.
Veronica says
Hello! I just tried this and it came out great but I got a burn notice as soon as it came to pressure, and I had to add more water. I followed the exact recipe and have a 6 quart pot. Any ideas why mine gave the burn notice? Thanks for the recipe!!
Tanya says
Hi Veronica, Thank you for the feedback. I'm not sure about the burn notice as I've never gotten a burn notice but I'm hearing that some Instant Pots are more sensitive to giving off burn signals. Here's a great article that goes a little in depth about the burn signal and what may be the cause. https://www.paintthekitchenred.com/instant-pot-burn-message/
Veronica says
Thanks for this! I’m just realizing the ratio of rice to water - in the end I did my standard for cooking rice, which is 2 cups water / 1 cup rice and it came out perfectly. I also quick released instead of NPR. Strange that my cook times were so different to yours! Still came out delicious ?
Sheryl says
I made this for dinner tonight in my 8 qt. I was a little worried it wasn't enough water but it's delicious as is. Definitely a keeper! The spices separate to the side while it's cooking but it's easy to fluff back in.
Becky says
You are a genius! This looked and tasted just like I remember Rice-a-Roni being back in the 70’s. We quit eating it because of all the “not so healthy” ingredients. Now we can have a healthy version! We loved it!!
Tanya says
Yay! So glad you liked it. I'm all for healthier, especially when it's just as easy.
James Austin says
How do you measure 2 oz. of spaghetti?
Tanya says
Hi James, I use a scale from time to time however the spaghetti doesn't have to be exact. If you break them into small pieces it should fit into a 1/4 cup measuring cup.
Bev says
I made this for supper tonight and it was delicious. I made no changes. It was a delicious addition to our meal. I give it a 10 out of 10 and will be making it again.
Melissa says
I was wondering if it would be the same cook time using brown rice and noodles?
Tanya says
Hi Melissa, no, it wouldn't. brown rice needs at least 15 minutes on high pressure in the Instant Pot.
Olivia says
Thank you for sharing your recipe. This was absolutely delicious. I wouldn't change a thing!
This recipe will be a regular in our house.
Tanya says
Thank you so much for letting me know 🙂 So glad you liked it.
karpenter says
I've Been Making My Own Rice-A-Roni For Quite A While Now
It's Actually A Pilaf
It Also Has A Small Pasta That Looks Like Rice
But I Don't Know What It's Called
So I Never Have It
I've Also Used Saffron Flavored Rice To Make It
I Never Use Plain White Rice Anymore
1/2 White, 1/2 Brown, A Shot Of Wild Rice To Finish
Bust Up Some Angel Hair Spaghetti
Sauted And Simmered, The Flavor Can't Be Beat
I Use It For My Fried Rice
And My Spanish Rice Too
I Just Change The Spices To Suit
I Stumbled Over Your Site By Accident
It Looks Interesting
I Think I Need To Give It A Good Looking Over
Maxx says
Delicious!! Better than rice a roni!! This will be a new staple. Thank you!!
Cindy says
I made this last night but after I poured the rice in I realized I didn’t rinse it first. The Insta pot gave me the BURN warning. When I lifted the lid the rice and pasta was stuck to the bottom of the pan but I was able to save it by adding a little water to the pot and using the plastic spoon scraping the bits off the bottom. I did use vegetable broth because that was what I had on hand. I added some cooked frozen peas and some cooked chicken I made in the Insta Pot the night before. It was very tasty just like Rice a Roni only better!
Twila says
Your recipe was delicious! I doubled the recipe and added medium cooked shrimp when the 10 minutes was done. Let sit with the cover on for another 5 minutes. I will make this often. Thank you for the recipe.
Carla Gullatt says
Really good. I am so happy to
Add this recipe to one of my favorites. Such a reminder of my youth. I had to add some extra broth and water to reach the desirable texture I prefer but all in all a hit with me.
Tanya says
How awesome! Thanks for letting me know and providing the feedback about the extra broth and water.
Rebecca says
This was reminiscent of my childhood and welcome since I no longer use boxed mixes. I didn’t have spaghetti, but orzo was a great substitute. Thanks for figuring out the copycat recipe that was elusive for me.
Tanya says
Awesome. I've seen a lot of people sub orzo, I'll have to try that next time. So glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂