The Ultra-Flavorful Butter That Turns Rice-A-Roni Into A Gourmet Side Dish - Tasting Table

Rice-A-Roni provides a convenient, budget-friendly dinner option for busy weeknights. Flavor can be upgraded without extra steps by using garlic compound butter instead of regular butter during preparation. The package instructions call for toasting the dry rice-pasta mixture in butter or margarine; using garlic butter infuses pungent, savory flavor as the rice and pasta toast. This swap keeps the signature fluffy, tender rice and toasty noodles because butter is already part of the recipe. Garlic butter also pairs well with broiled steak, baked potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or garlic bread made by spreading it on baguette slices. A simple three-ingredient garlic butter can be made by mixing softened salted butter, minced garlic, and fresh minced parsley in about five minutes.

"The directions on Rice-A-Roni's packaging advise that you begin by toasting the dry rice-pasta mixture in butter or margarine. Instead of using regular butter, simply swap in garlic butter. As the rice and pasta toast, they'll take on those pungent, savory flavors for a one-step infusion. It's flavorful and inherently elevated compared to shaking dried garlic powder into the pan."

"Plus, since butter is already required, this ingredient swap won't negatively impact the signature texture of Rice-A-Roni's fluffy, tender rice and toasty, luscious noodles. The toasting step still happens, but the fat carries garlic flavor into the grains and pasta as they cook."

"To complete the meal, pair your garlic-infused Rice-A-Roni with a broiled steak garnished with a pat of (you guessed it) garlic butter. Or, keep it vegetarian by pairing your Rice-A-Roni with a garlic butter-dressed baked potato and herbed roasted root vegetables. You could even swipe that compound butter over a crusty baguette slice for instant garlic bread."

"Feel free to take a cue from our three-ingredient garlic butter recipe, which comes together in just five minutes. To make it, mix softened salted butter, minced garlic cloves, and fresh minced parsley until thoroughly combined. Stored cove"

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