Pesto Rice

This restaurant-worthy pesto rice recipe, developed in our test kitchen, will elevate even the simplest of dinners. 

Pesto Rice Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this pesto rice recipe: 

• Onion and butter: The pesto rice starts with an onion cooked in a tablespoon of butter. 
• Rice and water: This recipe calls for a 1:2 ratio of long grain white rice to water. 
• Seasonings: Simply season the pesto rice with salt and pepper. 
• Pesto: Use store-bought or homemade pesto. 
• Lemon: A teaspoon of lemon zest adds welcome brightness. Plus, you’ll garnish the pesto rice with lemon wedges. 

How to Make Pesto Rice

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade pesto rice: 

1. Cook the onion in butter, then add the rice and stir to coat.
2. Add water and seasonings, then bring to a boil.
3. Cover and simmer until the rice is absorbed. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
4. Fold in pesto and lemon zest until combined, then serve with lemon wedges.

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Check out some tips and tricks from culinary experts that might make the cooking process easier: 

• Turn up the heat with a pinch of crushed red pepper. 
• Make sure you add the lemon at the end, advises recipe developer Juliana Hale, as lemon juice added directly to the rice can discolor the pesto.
• Serve with grated Parmesan for an extra pop of flavor and richness. 

What to Serve With Pesto Rice

“This would be great as a simple side dish with roasted or grilled meats,” according to Juliana. In need of some delicious inspiration? Here are a few top-rated ideas: 

• Grilled Salmon
• Juicy Roasted Chicken
• The Best Easy Pork Tenderloin

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams