Sometimes it just takes a slight twist to a cooking method, and a simple ingredient addition to really dress up a meal or a side dish. And this Pesto Pilaf is just that…

This recipe has a list of simple (and inexpensive ingredients!) and is a great way to use up any extra pesto, or a good excuse to buy pesto (I LOVE ME SOME PESTO….both the homemade variety and the store bought ones!)

When making this pilaf, you’ll first warm up the liquid you need. Then you’ll saute the pasta and rice for a few minutes and then pour the warm liquid right into the skillet. This will “shock” the pasta and rice and it will then quickly absorb the flavors and depth from the chicken broth, the garlic and the oil. Once it’s cooked and fluffed, then you can fold in the magic…I mean, the pesto.

It’s a side dish made with common, every day ingredients….that are magically dressed up with the flavors of basil and Parmesan from the pesto!

Other Pesto Recipes from $5 Dinners

• Homemade Pesto
• Ways to Use Pesto
• Pesto Stuffed Chicken
• Pesto Chicken Bake

Enjoy!!!

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Homemade Pesto Pilaf

A simple side dish, packed with tons of flavor!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Servings - 6 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth or water)
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup vermicelli noodles, broken into 1/2" pieces
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp store bought or homemade pesto

Instructions

• Add 2 cups chicken broth, 4 Tbsp butter, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper to a small saucepan, and bring to bubbling.
• Break 1 small bunch of vermicelli noodles into 1/2-inch length pieces. Youll need about 1/4 cup of broken noodles. Recommend using knife to break them down into these 1/2-inch length pieces.
• Add the olive oil to the skillet, and heat over medium high heat. Add the vermicelli noodles, and saut for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing often. Then add the rice and minced garlic, and toast with the vermicelli for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until vermicelli begins to turn golden. Immediately pour in the warmed chicken broth mixture, and bring to bubbling.
• Cover, reduce heat to simmer, and let cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until rice is fluffy.
• Once rice and vermicelli are fork tender, fluff and then gently fold in the pesto sauce, to taste. Start with 2 Tbsp, then add 1 tsp at a time, to your liking.
• Serve Pesto Pilaf as side dish for baked chicken, fish or steak.