Cheesy Rice Recipe

Introduction

Cheesy rice is a comforting and flavorful side dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any meal. With tender, fluffy rice combined with sharp cheddar cheese, it adds a creamy richness that pairs well with a variety of main courses.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice, not instant or brown
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ small onion, small diced
• 8 ounces chicken broth
• 8 ounces whole milk
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the rice in a fine mesh sieve under cold water to remove surface starches. This will help the rice cook up fluffy with separate grains.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook until it starts to lightly brown around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the rinsed rice, chicken broth, milk, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low, almost off. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to prevent drying out the rice.
5. Step 5: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese gently and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For brown rice, increase cooking time to about 45 minutes and monitor liquid levels, adding extra water if the rice starts to dry out.
• Keep the heat very low during cooking and avoid lifting the lid frequently to ensure perfectly cooked rice.
• Try using different types of cheese like mozzarella or gouda for a twist on the flavor.

Storage

Store leftover cheesy rice in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of milk or water if needed to restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook—about 45 minutes. Follow the package instructions and add extra water if the rice seems dry during cooking.

Why is it important not to lift the lid while cooking rice?

Lifting the lid releases steam and heat, which can extend cooking time and cause the rice to dry out. Keeping the lid on helps maintain the right temperature and moisture for fluffy rice.

Cheesy Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 97 reviews

This Cheesy Rice recipe delivers creamy, flavorful comfort food with tender long grain white rice cooked in a rich mixture of chicken broth, whole milk, butter, and sharp cheddar cheese. Enhanced with sautéed onions and mild paprika, it’s a perfect side dish for a variety of meals and easy to prepare on the stovetop.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice and Liquid

• 1 cup long grain white rice, not instant or brown
• 8 ounces chicken broth
• 8 ounces whole milk

Vegetables and Seasonings

• ½ small onion, small diced
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Dairy

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Rinse the Rice: Add your rice to a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water to remove surface starches. This prevents the rice from becoming sticky or gummy and helps create fluffy, separate grains when cooked.
2. Sauté Onions: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. This adds depth of flavor to the rice.
3. Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the rinsed rice, chicken broth, whole milk, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine everything evenly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low—just above off—to gently cook the rice without boiling aggressively.
4. Cook the Rice: Let the rice cook covered for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid repeatedly to prevent steam from escaping, which can dry out the rice or lengthen cooking time.
5. Finish with Cheese: Once the rice is tender, remove the pan from heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and gently stir it in, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve warm for best taste and texture.

Notes

• Cooking Brown Rice: If substituting with brown rice, be aware it will take up to 45 minutes to cook. Follow package instructions and consider adding extra water during cooking to prevent dryness.
• Liquid to Rice Ratio: This recipe uses a 2:1 liquid to rice ratio (2 cups liquid for 1 cup rice). Keep heat low and avoid lifting the lid to maintain steam. If the rice looks dry mid-cook, reduce the heat and add ¼ cup of water as needed.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to preserve creaminess.

Keywords: cheesy rice, creamy rice, side dish recipe, stovetop rice, cheddar cheese rice