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Easy, Fluffy, One-Pot Homemade Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo

A mound of fluffy, golden rice pilaf served on a white plate and generously garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
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Make this easy homemade rice pilaf featuring fluffy long-grain rice and toasted orzo cooked with savory broth, onions, and garlic. This quick recipe is a perfect side dish for any weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan or pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo turns golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the rinsed rice, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the grains.
  6. Pour in the broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this resting period.
  9. Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and stir in the fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps achieve fluffier grains.
  • Use low-sodium broth if you are watching your salt intake.
  • For an elegant side dish, substitute some of the fresh parsley with toasted slivered almonds added during the final fluffing step.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/easy-fluffy-one-pot-rice-pilaf/