Arroz de Fideo is one of my favorite comfort food rice recipes. It’s a flavorful dish that combines fluffy rice with golden, toasted fideo noodles for a deliciously unique side. This dish is popular in many Latin American kitchens and adds a fun twist to your usual rice recipe. The toasted fideo adds a delightful nutty flavor and a bit of texture, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, stews, or as a standalone dish. Here’s how to make this simple yet tasty Arroz de Fideo at home!

Ingredients:

1 cup of Mahatma Rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup of fideo (find this in the pasta aisle)
2 cups of water
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Toast the Fideo:

In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the fideo and toast for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the noodles turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them, as they can go from golden to burnt quickly.

Add the Garlic:

Add the chopped garlic to the toasted fideo and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Add the Rice:

Add the Mahatma rice to the skillet with the fideo and garlic. Stir to coat the rice with the oil, toasting lightly for about 1 minute.

Add Water and Season:

Pour in the 2 cups of water and add salt to taste. Stir well to combine everything.

Cook the Rice:

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook uncovered until most of the water is absorbed and the rice begins to appear on the surface, about 10 minutes.

Cover and Finish Cooking:

Once the water is mostly absorbed, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it finish cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes on low heat, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.