Best 8 Easy Couscous Pilaf Recipes

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Tired of the same old boring rice pilaf? Ready to spice up your dinner routine? Look no further than this article, your ultimate guide to creating the perfect easy couscous pilaf. With a handful of pantry staples and just a few simple steps, you'll be enjoying a flavorful, fluffy, and incredibly versatile side dish that will take your meals to the next level. Whether you prefer a classic pilaf with aromatic spices, a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish with fresh herbs and vegetables, or a hearty and comforting winter pilaf with roasted butternut squash and dried cranberries, we've got you covered. So, get ready to embark on a culinary adventure and discover the endless possibilities that await you with this incredibly versatile grain.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY COUSCOUS PILAF



Easy Couscous Pilaf image

Carrot, celery, and onion infuse this couscous with loads of flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small carrot
1 small celery stalk
1 small onion
Coarse salt and pepper
1 cup water
1 cup couscous

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery stalk, and onion, all finely chopped; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add water; bring to a boil.
  • Stir in couscous into vegetable mixture in pan. Remove from heat; cover, and let steam 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g

COUSCOUS PILAF WITH ALMONDS, COCONUT, AND CRANBERRIES



Couscous Pilaf with Almonds, Coconut, and Cranberries image

Wake up your couscous pilaf with a delicious blend of almonds, coconut, and dried cranberries.

Provided by Tawanda.Y

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 24m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

butter-flavored cooking spray
⅓ cup chopped almonds
⅓ cup shredded coconut
⅓ cup dried cranberries
1 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked couscous

Steps:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and grease with cooking spray. Add almonds; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add coconut; cook and stir until almonds and coconut are fully toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cranberries; cook until cranberries are heated through, about 1 minute more.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a pot. Remove from heat and add couscous. Stir, cover, and let sit until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the almonds, coconut, and cranberries; stir to blend.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 118.8 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

EASY PILAF



Easy Pilaf image

This basic pilaf is quick and easy to make.

Provided by Elaine Mical

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a 1 quart baking dish with butter.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the onion in the butter until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice; cook until the rice is slightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth. Season with the salt. Simmer another 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the broth is completely absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Fluff with a fork to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.9 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 416.3 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

BAKED COUSCOUS PILAF



Baked Couscous Pilaf image

Make and share this Baked Couscous Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by TwistyJersey

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup couscous (uncooked)
1 -2 cup carrot (diced)
1/2 cup chopped shelled pistachios (You can also substitute cashews or slivered almonds.)
1/2 cup dried currants or 1/2 cup raisins
1 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt
pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Farenheit.
  • Mix together all ingredients in baking dish.
  • Cover.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until carrots are done through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342.9, Fat 10.8, SaturatedFat 1.4, Sodium 30.3, Carbohydrate 54.1, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 14.8, Protein 9.7

ISRAELI COUSCOUS PILAF



Israeli Couscous Pilaf image

This couscous can be treated like wild rice as an accompaniment to a main course.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 2/3 cups Israeli couscous
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add onions, and cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in cumin and cayenne pepper, and saute for 1 minute more.
  • Stir in couscous, salt, pepper, and boiling water. Cover, and simmer over low heat until tender and water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Add parsley, and serve.

COUSCOUS PILAF



Couscous Pilaf image

Make and share this Couscous Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Rainberry Blues

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 chicken bouillon cubes
salt
pepper
1 cup couscous
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Dissolve chicken bouillon cubes in 2 ½ cups water in large saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil; add carrots and onion.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Boil 15 minutes or until carrots are done.
  • Add salt, pepper, and couscous.
  • Cook, uncovered, 1 minute.
  • Add butter.
  • Cook and stir 2 minutes.
  • Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
  • Stir and serve.

COUSCOUS PILAF



Couscous Pilaf image

Looking for a couscous recipe? Then check out this pilaf packed with mushroom, bell pepper and nuts - a side or main dish that can be made ready in 40 minutes!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 40m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 11

3/4 cup uncooked couscous
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
3 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped cashews or pecans
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 medium tomato, chopped (2/3 cup)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 green onions, chopped

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°. Spray round nonstick baking pan, 9 x 1 1/2 inches, or square baking dish, 8 x 8 x 2 inches, with cooking spray.
  • Mix couscous and broth in pan; cover with aluminum foil. Bake 10 minutes; fluff with fork.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter in 10- inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms, cashews and bell pepper until bell pepper is crisp-tender; remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Stir vegetable mixture into couscous in pan.
  • Bake pilaf, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until couscous is slightly brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 63 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 6 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 260 mg

SPICED COUSCOUS AND TURKEY PILAF



Spiced Couscous and Turkey Pilaf image

Provided by Melissa Roberts

Categories     turkey     Thanksgiving     Quick & Easy     Dinner     Lunch     Spice     Chickpea     Couscous     Simmer     Gourmet     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups pearl (Israeli) couscous (10 ounces)
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 2/3 cups water
1 (19-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup currants
1 1/2 cups (1-inch) pieces cooked turkey
1/3 cup packed mint leaves, chopped
Accompaniment: plain yogurt

Steps:

  • Cook onion in oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add couscous and spices and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add water, chickpeas, currants, and 1 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until couscous is just tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in turkey and let stand, covered, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in mint.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality couscous. Look for couscous that is made from whole wheat or semolina flour, and avoid couscous that is made from refined flour.
  • Rinse the couscous before cooking. This will help to remove any excess starch and prevent the couscous from becoming gummy.
  • Use a flavorful broth. The broth you use to cook the couscous will greatly affect the flavor of the dish. Use a broth that is made with real vegetables and herbs, and avoid broth that is made with artificial flavors.
  • Add vegetables and other ingredients. Couscous pilaf is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Add vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions, or protein, such as chicken or shrimp. You can also add herbs and spices to taste.
  • Fluff the couscous before serving. This will help to separate the grains of couscous and make the dish light and fluffy.

Conclusion:

Couscous pilaf is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, and it is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and protein. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give couscous pilaf a try!

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