Rice Almondine Marsala | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

The buttery toasted almond taste complements the rice, and the sweetness from the Marsala blend is a perfect match for this delicious rice almondine.

Buttery, savory rice tossed with toasted almonds makes this easy Rice Almondine a simple yet elegant side dish for almost any meal.

The combination of fluffy rice, crunchy almonds, butter, a touch of Marsala wine, and seasonings turns ordinary rice into something special.

Whether you’re serving it alongside roasted chicken, baked fish, steak, or a holiday dinner, this is one of those versatile side dishes you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Rice makes such a great side dish, and this one will be perfect for Marinated Lamb Chops, Tuscan Grilled Steaks, Roasted Chicken or any Turkey Scallopini Holiday meal.

Why You Will Love This Rice Almondine Marsala Quick and Easy Recipe

• Easy to make: A handful of simple ingredients comes together quickly.
• Great texture: Fluffy rice paired with crunchy toasted almonds makes every bite interesting.
• Versatile side dish: It works beautifully with lamb, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables.
• Perfect for entertaining: It looks elegant enough for a holiday or dinner party but is easy enough for a weeknight meal.
• Make-ahead friendly: The rice can be prepared ahead of time and finished with the buttery almond mixture before serving.

Perfect Make-Ahead Side Dish

You can prepare the rice ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to finish the dish.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

If the rice seems dry when reheating, add a small pat of butter or a splash of broth or Marsala to bring back some moisture.

Tips for Perfect Rice Almondine

• Toast the almonds first in the microwave; it’s a lot faster than sautéed almonds
• Always use fresh mushrooms
• Use dry Marsala wine for best results
• Season the rice with salt and pepper before adding to the pan, if desired
• We like a lot of garlic, so I also add 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder
• Toast the almonds carefully. They can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them and stir frequently.
  Instant rice can be used, but toast it first with butter before adding the liquids.
• Don’t overcook the rice. Rice that is slightly firm and fluffy will hold up better when combined with the butter and almonds.
• Fluff instead of stirring vigorously. Use a fork to separate the rice grains without making them mushy. 
•  Add fresh lemon at the end. A small squeeze of lemon can brighten the buttery flavor.
• Make it your own. This recipe is a great base for adding vegetables, herbs, dried fruit, or cheese.

What to Serve Rice Almondine Marsala

• Lamb chops
• Roast chicken
• Baked or grilled fish
• Shrimp
• Steak
• Pork chops
• Roasted turkey
• Baked ham
• Grilled vegetables
• Holiday dinners

Optional Mix-ins

• Fresh parsley
• Green onions 
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Dried cranberries
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh herbs such as thyme
• Nut Allergies: Sunflower seeds – probably the closest substitute for the crunch.
  Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) – hearty and slightly nutty tasting.
  Toasted sesame seeds – smaller crunch with a savory flavor.
  Crispy fried onions – great if you want extra savory flavor.
  Toasted breadcrumbs or panko – gives the dish a buttery crunch.
• Rice substitutions: Quinoa – fluffy and works especially well with toasted seeds.
  Pearl couscous – gives you a slightly chewy texture.
  Cauliflower rice – good for a lighter, vegetable-based version.
  Orzo – excellent if you don’t need the dish to be gluten-free.
  Farro – hearty and chewy, especially good with mushrooms or herbs.
  Barley – another hearty option, although it contains gluten.

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Simple But Elegant Rice Almondine Side Dish

Rice Almondine is proof that a side dish doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious.

Tender rice, golden toasted almonds, and buttery flavor come together to create a dish that’s simple enough for a family dinner and special enough for company.

If you’re looking for an easy way to dress up plain rice, this recipe is definitely worth adding to your recipe collection.

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French, Italian, American

Yield: 8

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Rice Almondine Marsala

Rice Almondine Marsala is an easy side dish that goes great with any meat. The rice is flavorful, with toasted, buttery almonds, sautéed mushrooms, and a splash of Marsala wine.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

• 2 cups of white rice cooked in chicken broth or stock, not water ( for fast-cooking rice, do the same: boil in chicken stock or broth for extra flavor)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, washed and dried
• 1/4 cup Marsala wine
• Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes.
• Optional Alternatives: Melt butter, coat the Almonds. Toast the almonds in the oven for a nuttier, crispier flavor on a parchment-lined cookie sheet at 350 degrees until lightly browned. For the microwave: toss in butter and toast in the microwave on a paper plate in 1-minute intervals until they’re browned, stirring in between times.
• Note: add salt, pepper, and granulated garlic powder to taste, if desired to taste

Instructions

1. In a large frypan, melt butter and olive oil and sauté almonds till lightly browned (or use the oven or microwave methods)
2. Add the mushrooms; sauté until the mushrooms are soft and starting to crisp up.
3. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes more.
4. Add Marsala last and sauté one more minute to reduce
5. Stir in cooked rice and serve, topped with almonds.
6. Garnish with parsley.
7. If rice is too dry, add chicken broth when reheated.

Notes

Optional Mix-ins

• Fresh parsley
• Green onions 
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Dried cranberries
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh herbs such as thyme
• Nut Allergies: Sunflower seeds – probably the closest substitute for the crunch. Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) – hearty and slightly nutty tasting. Toasted sesame seeds – smaller crunch with a savory flavor. Crispy fried onions – great if you want extra savory flavor. Toasted breadcrumbs or panko – gives the dish a buttery crunch.
• Rice substitutions: Quinoa – fluffy and works especially well with toasted seeds. Pearl couscous – gives you a slightly chewy texture. Cauliflower rice – good for a lighter, vegetable-based version. Orzo – excellent if you don’t need the dish to be gluten-free. Farro – hearty and chewy, especially good with mushrooms or herbs. Barley – another hearty option, although it contains gluten.

What to Serve Rice Almondine Marsala

• Lamb chops
• Roast chicken
• Baked or grilled fish
• Shrimp
• Steak
• Pork chops
• Roasted turkey
• Baked ham
• Grilled vegetables
• Holiday dinners

Tips for Perfect Rice Almondine

• Toast the almonds first in the microwave it’s a lot faster than sauteed almonds
• Always use fresh mushrooms
• Use dry Marsala wine for best results
• Season the rice with salt and pepper before adding to the pan if desired
• We like a lot of garlic so I also add 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder
• Toast the almonds carefully. They can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them and stir frequently. Instant rice can be used, but toast it first with butter before add the liquids.
• Don’t overcook the rice. Rice that is slightly firm and fluffy will hold up better when combined with the butter and almonds.
• Fluff instead of stirring vigorously. Use a fork to separate the rice grains without making them mushy. 
•  Add fresh lemon at the end. A small squeeze of lemon can brighten the buttery flavor.
• Make it your own. This recipe is a great base for adding vegetables, herbs, dried fruit, or cheese.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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