Homemade Rice Risotto Mix

There is something satisfying about opening the pantry and finding a meal already prepared and waiting for you. While many convenience foods can be purchased at the supermarket, making your own pantry mixes at home allows you to control the ingredients, save money, and create meals tailored to your family’s tastes.

This Homemade Rice Risotto Mix is one of those simple pantry staples that can make busy evenings much easier. Everything is measured, mixed, and stored in a jar ready for when you need a quick side dish or the foundation for a complete meal. Simply add a little butter or oil, toast the grains, add hot water, and dinner is underway.

The beauty of this mix is its flexibility. It works perfectly as a simple rice risotto, but it can also be turned into a hearty meal by adding cooked chicken, browned mince, spinach, extra vegetables, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It is an excellent addition to a well-stocked pantry and makes a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family as well.

Watch the Video

In this week’s pantry-focused video, I show you how to put together this shelf-stable rice risotto mix and share how I store it for long-term pantry use. If you enjoy building a practical pantry filled with homemade convenience foods, you’ll enjoy this one.

Homemade Rice Risotto Mix

Links to Other Recipes

If you enjoy practical pantry staples like this, you might also like:

• Homemade Instant Potato Soup Mix
• How to Make Your Own Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• How to Dehydrate Parsley | Preserve Fresh Herbs for Months
• Homemade Chicken Gravy Mix | Pantry Staple Gravy Powder

Recipe Card

Makes: 1 jar (serves 3-4) Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Jar

• 100 g long grain rice
• 130 g orzo or risoni pasta

Seasoning Packet

• 2 Tsp stock powder (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
• 25 g dehydrated vegetables
• 1 Tbsp dehydrated onion flakes
• ½ tsp garlic powder

To Cook

• 2 Tbsp butter or oil
• 2¾ cups hot water

Optional Extras

• Cooked chicken
• Cooked beef mince
• Spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• Extra vegetables

Method

To Prepare the Jar

1. Add the rice and orzo to a pint jar or airtight container.
2. In a small paper bag, baking paper parcel, or small food-safe packet, combine the stock powder, dehydrated vegetables, onion flakes, and garlic powder.
3. Place the seasoning packet into the jar with the rice and pasta.
4. Seal and store in a cool, dry pantry until needed. You can vacuum seal the jar for much longer term sealing.

To Cook

1. Remove the seasoning packet from the jar and set aside.
2. Heat the butter or oil in a large frying pan or saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the rice and orzo and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted.
4. Carefully pour in the hot water. The mixture may splatter slightly.
5. Stir in the seasoning packet and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 7-10 minutes.
7. Check the liquid level and add a little extra water if needed.
8. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Check the vegetables are cooked through as well. If you find they are not cooking in time. You can pre Soak them in a little hot water before cooking.
9. Remove the lid and stir through any optional extras such as cooked chicken, beef mince, spinach, parmesan cheese, or additional vegetables.
10. Serve immediately.

What to Serve with This Recipe

• Grilled chicken
• Pan-fried sausages
• Garlic bread
• Steamed vegetables
• A simple garden salad

Stacey’s Kitchen Tips

• Store the seasonings separately inside the jar so that you can toast the rice and orzo separately
• Toasting the rice and orzo adds extra flavour
• Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking
• Keep extra hot water nearby as different rice varieties may absorb liquid differently

Variations & Substitutions

• Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version
• Add dried mushrooms to the seasoning packet
• Stir through grated cheese before serving
• Add cooked bacon or ham for extra flavour

Storage, Freezer & Make-Ahead Notes

• Store the prepared jar in a cool, dry pantry
• Shelf life will depend on the freshness of the ingredients used
• Vacuum sealing can help extend storage life
• Keep moisture out of the jar for best results

Final Thoughts

This is the kind of pantry meal that can be incredibly useful to have on hand. It takes only a few minutes to assemble, stores well, and can be customised with whatever ingredients you have available at the time.

These are exactly the sorts of practical pantry recipes I’ll be sharing in the Friday uploads. Simple ideas that help build a well-stocked pantry while making every day cooking a little easier.

Stacey