This Mushroom Rice Pilaf recipe will take that plain box of rice in your pantry to the next level. It’s full of fragrant flavor and will fit seamlessly into your meal prep routine. And it comes together in under 30 minutes!
About this Rice
Tired of making a box of rice with almost no flavor? Need to use up some vegetables before they go bad? You’re in luck! This Mushroom Rice Pliaf is going to make you wonder why you settled for a box of plain rice for all these years.
Rice is so easy to dress up, which makes it the most perfect side dish. In this recipe, I used the leftover spinach, mushrooms, and white onion in my refrigerator (along with a few pantry staples) to transform it into a mushroom risotto-type dish. It’s filled with such hearty and delicious flavor—you’d never guess it was made with the extra ingredients from my fridge!
You can enjoy this rice dish as a side with your favorite protein or eat it as your meal. Eat it however your body needs to be fueled. It’s also great to make for meal prep.
I hope this Mushroom Rice Pilaf recipe can serve as some inspiration to take your plain rice from good to WOWZA. Keep reading for some more ways you can spruce up your boxed rice!
And if you’re looking for other tasty side dishes, also check out this Parmesan Rice, this Vegetarian Dirty Rice, these Perfect Roasted Green Beans, this Butternut Squash Herb Rice Pilaf, this Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe, or this Cilantro Lime Basmati Rice that I know you’ll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Vegetable Broth: Boiling rice in a flavored broth adds so much flavor!
- Sage: I love the fresh flavor you get from sage. If you don’t have sage on hand or can’t find it at the store, you could instead use rosemary or thyme, which have similar flavor profiles.
- Rice: I used a package of Banza Garlic and Olive Oil rice. Looking to try another type of rice? This Garlic Fried Rice is fabulous!
- Vegetables: I used spinach, mushrooms, and white onion in this rice. If you love mushrooms, also check out this Mushroom and Sausage Pasta.
- Gouda Cheese: This is one of my go-to cheeses that takes this side dish to the next level. I love the rich and nutty taste! Parmesan is another great option.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations and Substitutions
There are so many ways to spruce up boxed rice! Here are some other ideas to try if you’re not feeling the veggies:
- Play around with herbs. You don’t have to use sage to take your rice to the next level. Use what you like and what will complement the rest of your meal.
- Top with a sauce. Soy sauce, special sauce, sriracha, salsa…so many options!
- Add protein. You could mix in some black beans or chickpeas, top with an egg, or chop up a chicken breast or some steak.
- Squeeze a lemon or lime. The juice will provide some delicious citrus flavor!
- Sprinkle on some cheese. Cheesy rice = SO YUM!
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Heat a sauce pan to medium heat. Then, pour in vegetable broth, water, rice, and fresh sage. Cook the rice for the time indicated on the box/bag instructions.
Step 2. While rice is cooking, finely dice mushrooms, spinach, and white onion.
Step 3. Next, heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, add mushrooms and spinach. Turn to low heat.
Step 4. Once the rice is done cooking, drain any excess liquid. Then, add cooked rice into the skillet and stir with a rubber spatula or mixing spoon.
Step 5. Grate gouda cheese over the skillet and stir until melted.
Step 6. Serve with favorite protein or just eat it with a fork. It’s AMAZING!
Recipe FAQs
This rice will hold up well in the fridge for up to five days. I love making it for meal prep! Make a batch (or double batch) and throw some cooked protein on top for lunches throughout the week. You could also freeze this in an airtight container or individual servings in Ziploc bags. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy, thaw and put back in the skillet to warm and crisp up a bit.
For sure! I just enjoy Banza rice because it’s higher in protein and has a bit softer texture than plain rice. It reminds me a bit of risotto. If you use regular rice, follow the recipe the same.
Pair it with some grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu. You could even add an egg or two to your skillet for a twist on fried rice!
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Equipment
- sauce pan
- skillet
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- cheese grater
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 stalks sage
- 1 cup water
- 1 bag Garlic and Olive Oil Banza rice
- cooking spray
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup mushrooms
- ½ cup white onions
- ½ cup gouda cheese
- 2 tbsp light butter, optional
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pan to medium heat. Then, pour in vegetable broth, water, rice, and fresh sage. Cook the rice according to the box/bag instructions.
- While rice is cooking, finely dice mushrooms, spinach, and white onion.
- Next, heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, add mushrooms and spinach. Turn to low heat.
- The rice should be done soon. Remove excess liquid. Then, add cooked rice into the skillet and stir with a rubber spatula or mixing spoon. Option to fold in light butter here.
- Grate gouda cheese over the skillet and stir until melted.
- Serve with favorite protein or just eat it with a fork. It’s AMAZING!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
more of our favorite Rice Recipes…
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find MUSHROOM AND SPINACH RICE calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
AMAZING! Paired this with baked chicken and everyone loved it!
I was looking for a side dish to go with smoked salmon and it did not disappoint. There is no Banta garlic and olive oil rice at Kroger,only the pre made microwave type. I used a cup and a half of basmati rice and added garlic to the onion and mushrooms that I sautéed in olive and butter.
Served this with some grilled chicken and it was a hit! super flavorful and so much better than plain rice at dinner
Talk about the perfect accessory dish. I make this with APOP’s Ninja Grilled Chicken and it’s fabulous.