Revisit Childhood With One Simple Rice-A-Roni Addition - Tasting Table

Vintage comfort foods have returned in popularity, including Rice-A-Roni, which now appears in many flavors beyond the classic box of rice, vermicelli, and seasonings. A can of tuna can be added to upgrade the prepared product by increasing protein and adding a briny, savory flavor. Tuna can be mixed into single-serve cups of prepared Rice-A-Roni or stirred into prepared Rice-A-Roni with sauce to form taco or burrito filling. Success depends on selecting a Rice-A-Roni flavor that complements tuna’s salinity. Rice pilaf is basic and lets tuna’s natural saltiness stand out, while oil-packed tuna adds more flavor. Mediterranean pairings like feta, Kalamata olives, and parsley can create a more upscale bite, and Spanish rice can add balancing Mediterranean notes.

"If you're feeling nostalgic and pick up a box of Rice-A-Roni at the store, don't forget to add a can of tuna to your cart, too. This is a delicious ingredient that will upgrade your Rice-A-Roni, both in terms of its protein content and its flavor. It almost gives you a tuna casserole-like vibe, and can be mixed into single-serve cups of the prepared rice product or stirred into prepared Rice-A-Roni with a sauce to create a flavorful taco or burrito filling. It's affordable, nostalgic, and hearty - what's not to love?"

"Tuna is a great one-ingredient addition to Rice-A-Roni, but in order to ensure success with this dish, you have to make sure that you pick the right flavor of rice to start with. Tuna has a slightly briny flavor - even if you try to hide it with seasoning - so you'll want to pick a Rice-A-Roni that will complement it. The rice pilaf flavor, for example, is basic, meaning it will allow the natural salinity of the tuna to shine."

"Go for an oil-packed tuna for more flavor, and pair it with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, like crumbled feta, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley, for an upscale bite. The Spanish rice variety would also add a balancing hint of flavor and similar Mediterranean notes."

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