How to Make Dinner Fast | Cooking with Rice a Roni

[@sarahsmith2642]

These dishes look delicious and I love the beginning of the video! So nostalgic! I like rice a roni! So a funny story about my middle child years ago I was making rice a roni for supper and my daughter who is a very picky eater asked me if she could have hers without the roni! Just the rice without the roni! 😂 We still pick with her about it today! Thanks for the recipes! ❤️

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh that is too funny! So glad you liked the intro!! I thought it would be fun!!

[@Gardeninggirl1107]

If cooking just for myself, I love to make Rice-A-Roni. When browning the vermicelli, if you stir in the spice packet about 1 minute prior to adding the water, the spices cook a bit and add a lot more flavor. My mom taught me that. I add shrimp and frozen peas to the rice about 5 minutes prior to the rice being done (don't stir it in, just add on top quickly and replace the lid). When done, I let the pan sit for 5 minutes, then stir all. Love your channel - I just subscribed :)

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’m so glad you’re here! I love that shrimp idea and the tip about the flavoring packet! Please keep sharing!

[@satrenagayle]

Found your videos a few days ago and binge watching. I'm 60 and come from large family. Your style of cooking takes me back to Happy Memories around the table with mom making limited food stretch between 8 of us. Your personality and interaction with your children is Priceless in todays world. :) looking forward to using your meal ideas to get out of a rutt. Love all I've seen so far. The Chicken ones and the Rice Roni ones is where I'll start. Thank you for sharing your skills and sunshine.

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️🙏 I’m so glad you are getting some inspiration from the videos! Very blessed to be able to share these meals with you! Enjoy!

[@rhiahlMT]

I remember their commercials, they saved us kids! Mom used to make it before the product came out with chicken livers. So gross. Gave her more ideas and she'd make it from scratch. I just found it for $.88 a box at WinCo. Stuff stays shelf stable in the pantry forever. She still made the chicken liver stuff. That's why families have dogs.

[@cathyeller5722]

To stretch your rice a roni add 1 cup of rice when you first put the rice a roni in the butter, no one will notice. I use 1/2 of a polish sausage to my spanish rice, I used to leave the polish sausage in chunks and put in the whole thing, however, if you cut it in half and chop up the polish sausage into smaller pieces it works better. I use on can tomatoes, a jar of salsa here is 2.64 a can of tomatoes is 94 cents. Burrito's are cheaper to make from dry beans and your own rice you can make or add a packet of taco sauce to them - no meat, you already have beans for protein. I put my beans on in the crockpot at night no seasoning smash your beans. If you look online you can find homemade rice a roni recipes, I don't do it though husband hates every recipe I have tried like that. You have good ideas and recipes, I hope you don't mind my suggestions, trying to help other people with lower incomes. Rice a roni went from one dollar a box to 1.35. Soon it will be priced out of my budget since it takes two boxes to feed hubby dinner for three days. Thanks for the video.

[@MealsWithMaria]

I absolutely LOVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS! Please keep sharing. I do hope rice a roni stays affordable. I particularly like the idea to add extra rice at the beginning! 🥰

[@shelzp7272]

@Cathy Good ideas!

[@seekingserenitydaily]

I love Rice A Roni ... going to try to add some frozen shrimp to the Fried Rice one this weekend! Thanks for the tips!

[@tammymiller5801]

Love the intro! You never see Rice a Roni commercials anymore. I guess they sell themselves.

[@susananderson9619]

I love RiceARoni.Im a widow and love to do exactly as you are doing, blend protein and veggies into the rice vermicelli mix.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Perfect!!!

[@suzannemomma]

When I saw the title, I automatically started singing the Rice-A-Roni song!

[@TheMtggrl]

Wow, I haven't had Rice-a-roni since I was a little girl back in the 60s and early 70's, but heck yeah I'll pick some up, those burritos sound delish. Thanks for sharing.

[@nicolehubbard3536]

Maria, you give me so much inspiration! Even though I can't always eat the exact foods you use because of my food sensitivities, I get so many good ideas from what you make. And I love finding ways to use those odd things floating around in my pantry!

[@keart65]

Looks great! I've served this as a side a couple of times. Honestly, it's not a "go to" but it should be! My husband said he liked it when I served it last. Oh and I always go to the clearance meat section when I go to the store. It's hit and miss. However, since prices have gone up so high, there has been more things available lately. I picked up a couple of pounds of ground beef (premium Nolan Ryan brand) for 1.99 a pound. I have also found ground bison for less than five dollars a pound. Worth checking out the clearance sections.

[@allyrooh3628]

Love the blast from the past with the rice commercial!!! This is such a great comfort food as well as a meal stretcher!

[@tammifields4142]

Agree! 😊

[@cduncan1497]

I put Italian sausage in my stirfry rice so good

[@MealsWithMaria]

Love that idea!!

[@theresabeun6949]

I am so happy you are doing rice a roni! I have been an avid amping up rice a roni for years! Each box makes a ton of rice to, love combining different ingredients for a full meal :)

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay! 🤗🤗 looks like you could teach me a thiNg or two!

[@paulamcleod1227]

I liked the fried rice idea with rice a roni. I'd also scramble an egg or two in it to make it more authentic.

[@MealsWithMaria]

I thought about adding egg! Go for it.

[@saries54]

Love the video! I use rice a roni to make chicken and rice soup. I only use about quarter to a third of a box to the broth and the like amount of the flavor packet for flavoring. I seal up box and save rest for the next time I make soup. You can use chicken broth or bullion cubes for the broth. In addition, add your own seaonings, canned or leftover chicken, and veggies of your choice, frozen, fresh or canned. Simmer with lid on for up to half an hour or until rice is done. Chicken rice mix is good to use or experiment. Really good with cornbread!

[@corinnecardoza3521]

Great recipes but even GREATER opening Maria. I sang right along with catching little tune from my childhood ‼️

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀😀 so glad you liked it! Fun to play around with that!

[@topangaangelle]

I accidentally found you and I love you already. I've been binge watching your vids. Beautiful family. 😎😎😎

[@MealsWithMaria]

So glad you stumbled upon my channel😀😀 very glad you’re here ❤️❤️

[@ashleyadams6803]

What cute kids! I just discovered Rice a Roni, it really is good! Thanks for your recipes, will try next week! I’ve subscribed!

[@lisamartin3346]

I always get so excited when I see that you’ve posted a new video. I esp like this series.bec you choose one item and create recipes from that. So great for me

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 I’m so glad you like these Lisa! They are fun to make and it’s beefing up my recipe list too!

[@amyquillen2506]

Great ideas! I make the Spanish rice-a-roni and add in smoked sausage

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yum!!

[@shelzp7272]

Maria…I love these ‘dinners in the bank’ because I always have the ingredients on hand…

[@pamhall2003]

Love all your recipes. So quick and easy!♥️

[@AClark777]

Great ideas...I never thought to use Rice a roni! Thanks for these ideas, the wheels are spinning now! 😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

😄😄😄

[@tammifields4142]

Looooved the intro!😊 These meals look Delicious!😋😋 Thanks Maria!💕💕

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😃 so glad you liked it!

[@docink6175]

I do a taco/burrito bowl a lot like your burrito, minus the corn and add onions, bell and jalapeno peppers

[@purplebutterfly4756]

I love Rice a Roni. Thanks for the ideas. Love watching your cooking shows you always come up with good and easy idea's. Appreciate you girl

[@jgodwin717]

Awesome as always! Looks like we need the gocashback, and some rice a roni ☺

[@cbdeniro]

Thanks - these look delicious and so easy.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀😍

[@bigredohio]

Loved this episode. Yummy recipes.

[@laurazervas9625]

2 boxes with added meat, corn, and beans would last a family of 5 two meals plus a few lunches!!! Makes a lot!!!

[@apriljohnson1514]

After watching this I want some Rice a Roni but sadly I'm on a low sodium diet; and even their lower sodium version is out of my salt budget. I'm still going to buy one and not use the flavor packet! I think I can come up with something tasty. Thanks for the commercial at the beginning of the video! It brought back some memories.

[@catloverx2]

You could probably buy the no sodium chicken bullion and add garlic powder, onion powder and parsley and get a similar taste. :-)

[@mimijulene6307]

I make home made rice a roni with white rice, vermicelli and homemade chicken stock. I make the stock very flavorful with chicken,onions, garlic, carrots, celery and concentrate it down. Then I add 3/4 c rice, 1/4 cup vermicelli and 2 cups of stock. Turns out exactly like the chicken rice a roni!

[@heathersumner4497]

I loved this as a kid but, rice never came consistent to me. I am a checker because I am scared it will burn/stick so it never came out. I was new to KZbin and I saw this lady start her rice then cover and walked away for 20 minutes. No way so for giggles I tried it one afternoon. It worked. Blew my mind. So I found a rice pilaf recipe that is fantastic. I change out beef and chicken bouillon depending on our protein. Such a cheap but delicious side dish or base for rice bowls. Great ideas by the way. For people who are learning to cook or college kids in the dorm these ideas could be awesome. All your seasoning and everything in one box for a space/appliance challenged dorm room.

[@gwendolynjulien4851]

I make my own Rice A Roni from scrach. It is fast, and fresh. No stale box for me.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Good idea!

[@shaunah.creations9233]

Lol ok once I found you this evening, I can’t stop watching your videos! Loved the old ad in here with rice a roni 😂 I just bought Spanish rice from that brand today for the first time lol.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw that’s so awesome!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying 🤗 I was so excited about the ad too!

[@cindyferrara6022]

Love the old commercial video. Brings back memories of when I was a kid. Lol. Another great idea and video.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀😀 I was hoping people would like it!

[@cindyferrara6022]

@@MealsWithMaria loved it!!!! You're just so amazing and creative. My favorite channel by far. Continued success to you!!!

[@huggledemon32]

As an Aussie- I’ve always wondered what on earth “rice a roni “ was- now I know- I kinda wish it was available here!🤷‍♀️

[@cjjohnson3039]

There are several really good homemade Rice-a-Roni recipes on the Web, explaining the ratio of rice:vermicelli, possible substitutions using angel hair pasta, and how to prepare. Very easy to make the dry mix and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

[@jillgott6567]

I don't think I have ever had Rice a Roni the meals look delicious

[@RevBTB]

we've used rice a roni to kick a cheezy rice bake up a notch, awe made a rice a roni broccoli velveeta caserole - so cheap, and yet very flavorful and filling!

[@Iluv2crochet]

I have a box of rice a roni to use up so this is perfect! Tfs

[@TXJan0057]

Two cans plus a box of ricearonie seems like a lot of food. Its just my husband and me I frequently use half a box of ricearonie if I am adding a veg.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yes! That makes a lot more sense.

[@sonyavincent7450]

Here in New Zealand the equivalent product is called Rice Risotto. Lots of flavors and the nicest is mushroom. Not cheap though, about $2.69.

[@kentuckyhome6637]

Your little ones are adorable and the recipes are great too!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you so much!

[@mazie7952]

I remember buying this for 39 cents. It's still.1.00 at walmart thou.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Ug! That is a huge increase!

[@gloriapeel6887]

These meals look great!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 thank you!

[@thecheapbird4971]

You are great! Thanks for doing this!!!!

[@rasuko1]

the youtube algorithm made this video appear on the home page :)

[@vernabryant2894]

Looks good I'll try these.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀👍🏼👍🏼

[@jamiecee4960]

Love Rice A Roni. Still buy it. 🙂 Those old commercials. They are cheap. And yummy. Actually have some in there. Will try those burritos. Stir fry one looked yummy.

[@MealsWithMaria]

It’s a classic!!

[@killroy1367]

10 for 10 at Kroger this week!

[@barbarathompson8559]

I buy taco flavored ground turkey at walmart. Instant rice works too.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Perfect!!

[@rosemyers8807]

Them recipes look very yummy Maria especially the burrito want the black beans

[@MealsWithMaria]

Omg the burrito is a winner!!!!

[@janeprepper177]

Girl I had to leave a thumbs up 👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay!

[@Suzy12678]

Thanks always! You're right - just .87/box (6 pack) at Sams and free shipping. I haven't had these in years

[@cindyg5064]

Thank you for the new ideas!!!

[@psychedelichippie9759]

Love your channel, and all the recipes

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀 so glad!

[@kathypersall6292]

I just love all your videos

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀😀

[@angelaschultzschultz8246]

YUM, YUM and MORE YUM 😋 what Amazing Great Recipes with Rice a Roni 😋 look DELISH, Thank you for Sharing ❤ 🙌

[@MealsWithMaria]

I think you got the first comment 😀😀😀 you’re so welcome!!

[@yourhomeisyourbusiness2221]

Pour water into the salsa jar, shake, and pour into the rice a roni to get all the “goodie” out of it and lower food waste.

[@MariaVargas-ed4xt]

Happy Fri-Yay Miss Maria!!!🥳🥳

[@debsimpson5968]

I love it with just hamburger

[@wandahall4435]

1.39 is price in Texas

[@MealsWithMaria]

More than here 😩

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome recipes, thanks

[@debiterry1940]

My goodness, your babies are beautiful.❤️🙏🌹

[@catherineciferni1145]

I find rice a roni salty, so I add some dry rice to the mix to stretch it even further

[@MealsWithMaria]

Perfect and even less expensive!

[@Courtneyburns90]

I have no idea what rice a Roni is but be sure I'm still watching this entire video 😂

[@ladywytch129]

It's a boxed rice and vermicelli mix that comes in different flavors. Very high in carbs and sodium but so, so yummy, lol.

[@usadream7873]

@@ladywytch129what is the best please?spznish or beef or chicken?

[@symplybeingme]

Love recipes I no longer can eat rice roni because of the MSG 👍🏽😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

Ug!

[@mimijulene6307]

Make your own homemade version! Easy and tasty too! 3/4 c rice with 1/4 c vermicelli, browned in 2 TBS butter, then add 2 c homemade chicken broth! Delicious!

[@kippytx]

Great ideas

[@michellevolkmann5675]

Love it

[@diegeferenbach8065]

😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@deborahdaniels9163]

Looks yummy

[@beckygeer6480]

Aldi has the same type of boxed mixes for under $1 (so far, LOL)

[@squirrelcovers6340]

Kid won't grab it but once.

[@lindabonomi7274]

YUM!

[@kathleenworkman2575]

Some good stuff

[@carollizc]

I like the idea, but I find that Ricea Roni to be waaay too salty, just as I find a lot of processed food. There is heart disease in my family, so we have always been conscious of consuming too much sodium.

[@Leelee...]

You are a treasure trove of info!

[@MealsWithMaria]

🤗 so happy to share!

[@mylittlepony-s1m]

cool

[@maria_w311]

Hi Maria 👋

[@jonicabeird4657]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️

[@BeachLoverCindy]

Am I the only person who hates canned corn?

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh wow! My kids love it!

[@sharebear1726]

So am I the only one who heard her say she gave her step husband the burrito ummm what's a step husband just curious

[@merediths9667]

Wondering the same 😂

[@MealsWithMaria]

🤣🤣 I don’t know I’ll have to go listen again I definitely just meant husband 🤣🤣

[@MealsWithMaria]

Ok I listened again and I said “I set my husband up with a chicken burrito” but I admit I can talk fast and can see how it sounded like step husband 🤣 funny

[@merediths9667]

@@MealsWithMaria Ah! Ok 😆 that’s hilarious

[@sharebear1726]

@@MealsWithMaria lol oh ok that sounds better and makes more sense...I was like what the hell is a step husband lol

[@carolbrown7234]

Too long of a commercial about "cash back" :-( I was going to subscribe but changed my mind.

[@kj7653]

Me too. Too long of promotion.

[@rexcarebear4701]

Bye bye then. It's her Channel she has a right to make money any way she can

[@rexcarebear4701]

See ya then. Her Channel she has the right to make money