Homemade Rice-A-Roni, MSG Free

My husband and I love Rice-A-Roni. I grew up eating it and it makes a great quick dinner for your family. Lately I have become more consciences of what is in the foods I buy and unfortunately I've noticed that Rice-A-Roni has MSG in it. I was super sad but decided I would try and make my own homemade version of Rice-A-Roni.

I'll cut to the chase and give you the recipe:

1/2 cup Arborio Rice
1/2 cup Acini de pepe pasta
1/2 to 1 lb ground meat (beef or turkey your choice)
1/2 medium onion diced
2 1/3 cup chicken broth (you could use beef broth, veggie broth or even water and add bouillon)
2 full twists from your fresh pepper grinder
3/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp Season All
1/2 tsp powdered garlic (if you use garlic salt, reduce your Season All. I personally dislike garlic salt because it's forcing me to put extra sodium in my food when all I want is the garlic flavor.)
1/2 tsp dried mustard (one of my favorite things, not sure why but I put it in almost anything I'm trying to spice up)
2 Tb. Butter


Step 1: Cook the ground meat and onion in a deep frying pan. When fully cooked drain fats and set on a paper towel.

Step 2: While meat cooks combine all your seasonings and broth together.

Step 3: Place butter in the hot frying pan till almost melted and add the arborio rice and acini de pepe pasta. Stir frequently till pasta begins to brown. Add the meat and onion mixture back in the frying pan.

Step 4: Slowly add the liquid and seasoning mixture to the frying pan and stir once. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to a simmer. Place a lid that on and leave a vent. If you don't have a large enough lid just place some tin foil on top like I did.

Step 5: Stir occasionally making sure the rice and pasta doesn't burn. Simmer for 20 minutes or so, occasionally taking a taste of the rice and pasta to make sure it's cooked thoroughly.

Step 6: When it's done cooking serve with veggies and top it off with my favorite: Sour Cream!

Enjoy your Homemade Rice-A-Roni that is MSG free!