Vermicelli rice is an amazingly popular Middle Eastern side dish that combines toasted vermicelli pasta with long-grain Basmati rice! The flavorful rice side dish is easy to make, extremely versatile, and intensely flavorful. You would never know it only has a few ingredients!
Best Vermicelli Rice Recipe
This Vermicelli is easy to make but rich and nutty in flavor. With only Basmati rice, vermicelli, salt, and oil (with the option of adding pine nuts), you won’t need to load up the shopping cart for this one.
If you’re looking for a dish that goes well with anything and is a fast, weeknight option, look no further! Eat it just like this or get creative with added protein and vegetables to make it a main dish.
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❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
It’s fast! In just 40 minutes, you can have a delicious side dish with an umami flavor explosion!
It’s simple. No long list of ingredients here! You probably have most of these at your house on a daily basis!
It’s versatile! You can put your own spin on this easy rice dish by adding your favorite meat, grilled vegetables, broth or bouillon cubes, or even extra spices! It goes well as a side dish with practically everything!
🥘 Vermicelli Rice Ingredients
Most of these will already be in your pantry, but if you want to kick it up a notch, adding pine nuts really makes it special. Plus, they add a nice texture to the chewy homemade rice-a-roni!
- Olive Oil - 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) works best here.
- Vermicelli Pasta - 1 cup of vermicelli rice. This looks like rice but is actually a tiny pasta! If you can't find the small pieces of vermicelli, get the spaghetti-length pasta and break it up.
- Basmati Rice (or any long grain rice) - 2 cups of Basmati adds great flavor and will make the kitchen smell amazing.
- Salt - 1 teaspoon of salt which always enhances the flavor of a dish. Pick your favorite kind.
- Water - You can just use your best estimate here in order to cover your rice by ½ inch.
- Pine Nuts (optional) - 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. These can be toasted for a few minutes in the oven or in a pan on the stove. Make extra to throw on salads!
- Parsley (optional garnish) - 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Parsley is a light flavor but adds a pop of color to the dish.
🔪 How To Make Vermicelli Rice
Follow these easy instructions for picture-perfect rice and pasta combo that tastes as good as it looks! Make sure you have a bowl and a pot!
This recipe will make you 8 servings, so it is perfect for a family dinner!
- Rinse your rice. First, pour cold water over 2 cups of Basmati rice and mix before straining. Repeat until the water comes off clear (or runs clear if under running water).
- Soak the rice. In a bowl, let the rice sit in cold water for 10-15 minutes (*see note). Drain and set aside.
- Toast the vermicelli. Next, Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a medium or large stock pot and bring to medium heat. Then, add 1 cup of vermicelli pasta when the oil is hot. Toast the pasta until golden brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add the Basmati. Once the vermicelli is toasted, add in the drained basmati rice. Stir to combine.
- Add water and salt. Add enough water to cover the rice by about half an inch or 1.25 centimeters. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Cover and bring to a boil. When the water is at a full boil--not just a few tiny bubbles-- turn your heat all the way down and cook for ten minutes. Keep the lid on (*see note)!
- Shut the heat off and let it rest. Once the ten minutes are up, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for another ten minutes. Resist the urge to taste! We’re almost there!
- Fluff the rice. Remove the lid and use a fork to fluff your rice and add some volume.
- Serve. Serve the cooked vermicelli rice immediately once done. Garnish with two tablespoons of toasted pine nuts (*see note) and one tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley if desired.
This is great for lunch or dinner alongside pan-seared sirloin steak tips or a hearty wedge salad. It’s very versatile and can be an excellent side to any dish! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Make sure to toast the pine nuts if adding them. Toasting the nuts brings out the oil and changes the flavor. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference!
- You can toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about three minutes or spread them out on a pan in a 350°F (175°C) oven for five minutes. The latter cooks more evenly but takes a bit longer to wait for the oven to heat up.
- Stir and watch closely to keep them from burning. They’re done when they are golden brown. You will also notice a distinct toasted smell. Yum!
- Don’t skip the rinsing and soaking of the Basmati. Rinsing removes a naturally occurring layer of starch so the grains don’t stick together when it’s cooked. Soaking starts the water absorption process before you even start cooking. This means less time on the stove, and therefore, better flavor.
- Don’t stir the rice while it’s cooking. It’s important to keep the steam in for constant heat. Stirring can often break the rice, ruining the beautiful, long grains.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for three to four days. With hungry people around, mine doesn’t usually last that long!
Cooked Vermicelli can definitely be frozen after being cooked. Be sure to freeze it in a microwave-safe container to make it easy to pull out and reheat.
Don’t keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days before freezing. In order to prevent bacteria growth, it’s best to freeze as soon as the vermicelli rice cools from the cooking process. It’ll be good for up to a month.
Reheating Vermicelli Rice
You can quickly reheat this dish in the microwave for one to two minutes in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir the rice halfway through your heating.
If you’d like it hotter, add time in thirty-second intervals. You may also want to add a bit of water or broth to keep it from drying out.
If reheating from the freezer, you can defrost in the fridge for a few hours before microwaving or defrost in the microwave for two to three minutes before following previous instructions.
Stovetop reheating is also a good option. Just put your desired portion in a nonstick frying pan or skillet, add liquid, and heat on low until the vermicelli rice is heated to your preferred temperature.
If reheating from a frozen state, follow the same steps but put a lid on to trap the steam and heat it faster.
For the best tips and tricks, check out my post about the best ways to freeze and reheat rice!
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, but it will change the flavor a bit. Basmati is an aromatic, long-grain rice that has a slightly nutty flavor. Using different rice will not be as flavorful, in my opinion. That said, any long-grain rice, such as jasmine or brown rice, will work.
Vermicelli is a long, slender, round pasta that is thinner than spaghetti (here in the U.S.) and thicker than spaghetti (in Italy).
The best vermicelli substitutes would be capellini (angel's hair or capelli d’angelo), spaghettini, or fedelini. Orzo could potentially work in a pinch.
🍚 What To Serve With Vermicelli Rice
- Leftover Lamb Curry - This lamb curry uses simple ingredients, making it perfect for any day of the week!
- Brown Stew Chicken - This Jamaican chicken is overflowing with flavor! Serve it on top of some vermicelli rice for a complete meal!
- Roasted Rack of Lamb - This simple lamb dish is delightfully juicy and tender!
- Leftover Turkey Curry - If you have some turkey leftover, mix up your usual recipes by trying out this flavorful curry!
- Rabbit Stew - This stew is hearty and delicious! I love to serve it over my vermicelli rice so that it can soak up all of the tasty flavors!
- Hawaiian Beef Stew - This tasty stew includes beef, carrots, celery, and potatoes!
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📖 Recipe Card
Vermicelli Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 cup Vermicelli rice
- 2 cups Basmati rice (or any long grain rice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- water (enough to cover rice by ½ inch or 2.5 cm)
- 2 tablespoon toasted pine nuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Rinse your rice under cold water for a few minutes until the water runs clear.
- Soak rice in a bowl of cold water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium to a large stockpot, add olive oil and bring the heat up to medium. When oil is hot add in the vermicelli pasta. Stir it around to "toast it" keep it moving try and not to burn the vermicelli - you are looking for a golden brown look.
- When the Vermicelli is toasted, immediately add the drained rice and then stir to combine.
- Add enough water to cover the rice and pasta by half an inch (1.25cm), then sprinkle in salt.
- Cover and bring the water to a rapid boil. When you reach a rapid boil, reduce the heat down to the lowest setting and continue to cook for 10 minutes. (Do not uncover)
- After 10 minutes is up, shut the heat off, do not uncover. Leave covered for another 10 minutes while the rice and pasta continue to cook.
- Remove the lid and fluff your rice using a fork. If desired garnish with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to toast the pine nuts if adding them. Toasting the nuts brings out the oil and changes the flavor. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference!
- You can toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about three minutes or spread them out on a pan in a 350°F (175°C) oven for five minutes. The latter cooks more evenly but takes a bit longer to wait for the oven to heat up.
- Stir and watch closely to keep them from burning. They’re done when they are golden brown. You will also notice a distinct toasted smell. Yum!
- Don’t skip the rinsing and soaking of the Basmati. Rinsing removes a naturally occurring layer of starch so the grains don’t stick together when it’s cooked. Soaking starts the water absorption process before you even start cooking. This means less time on the stove, and therefore, better flavor.
- Don’t stir the rice while it’s cooking. It’s important to keep the steam in for constant heat. Stirring can often break the rice, ruining the beautiful, long grains.
José says
Olá, bom dia.
Acho sempre que as receitas brasileiras (esta é do medo oriente) são ótimas... mas!!!
Vocês sempre se esquecem que há muitos mais países falando português, como o berço da língua, Portugal.
Digam lá... Quanto mede a vossa xicara? De chá? De café? De café com leite? E é igual a um copo? Um vidro, um frasco? Que é tudo isso?
Mas você dizer para cobrir o arroz com meia polegada de água, ou com 2,5 cm, é mesmo genial!!! É que 2,5 cm são quase exatamente uma polegada, e não meia. Você está dizendo cubra o arroz com esta água, ou com o dobro!
Então, em que ficamos? Faço o meu arroz ficar bem seco, ou totalmente empapado???
Nota: há medidas internacionais. Espalhe essa notícia sensacional pelos milhões de brasileiros bacanas e muito bem intencionados que escrevem tanta bobagem e imprecisão.
Obrigado, e um grande abraço desde Portugal.
"Good morning.
I always think that Brazilian recipes (this one is from the eastern fear) are great... but!!!
You always forget that there are many more countries speaking Portuguese, like the birthplace of the language, Portugal.
Tell me... How big is your cup? Of tea? Of coffee? Coffee with milk? And is it like a glass? A glass, a vial? What is all this?
But you saying to cover the rice with half an inch of water, or 2.5 cm, is really great!!! It's just that 2.5 cm is almost exactly an inch, not half. You're saying cover the rice with this water, or twice as much!
So what are we left with? Do I make my rice very dry, or completely soggy???
Note: there are international measurements. Spread this sensational news to the millions of nice and very well intentioned Brazilians who write so much nonsense and inaccuracy.
Thank you, and a big hug from Portugal."
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Há uma opção no cartão de receita para mudar das medidas usuais para métricas para ajudar todos os nossos leitores internacionais.
Estarei atualizando os centímetros anotados nas instruções/notas para 1,5cm também. Obrigado por pegar isso!
"There is an option in the recipe card to switch from US customary to Metric measurements to help all of our international readers.
I'll be updating the centimeters noted in the instructions/notes to 1.5cm as well. Thanks for catching that!"