Whenever my family and kids want something cheesy but I don’t want to order in, this creamy cheesy rice recipe comes in handy. It’s simple and so easy to make that I sometimes want to make it every day.
It is the creamiest rice made with rice and cheese, and you can have it as your main dish or a simple side dish.
The best thing about this one-pot cheesy rice is that it takes you under 30 minutes to make the whole dish, and it tastes great. Let me tell you how you can make your own melt-in-your-mouth creamy cheesy rice at home!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Rice
- This cheddar cheese rice recipe makes for a fluffy rice texture, which is creamy and cheesy in every bite.
- You only need a couple of things that you might already find in your pantry to make this deliciousness.
- The prep time for this recipe is about 5 minutes, and it is completely beginner-friendly.
- This kid-friendly dinner is very customizable for those types of kids who don’t like to eat their vegetables.
What Makes Cheesy Rice So Good
You can’t go wrong with this easy cheesy rice side dish! The cheesy and creamy liquid in the rice creates a very rich and flavorful texture.
Just make sure you take the seasoning seriously when you put in your salt, garlic, and pepper into the rice.
This recipe is actually a stovetop recipe, but you could make a baked version if that’s what you’re into.
Ingredients for Cheesy Rice
- Rice: You can use any white rice for this recipe. But using long-grain white rice is best for this recipe. I like to use the white basmati rice.
- Broth: To make the texture of the rice lighter, you need a kind of liquid, which is why you should use chicken broth or vegetable broth. You can also use milk or cream if you want.
- Cheese: I think the best cheese for this recipe is cheddar cheese for melting purposes, but you can also use mozzarella.
- Add-Ins: You can use anything to make the recipe your own, like different herbs, garlic, etc. I use green onions to garnish the homemade cheesy rice.
- Salt and Black Pepper: You need them as seasonings.
- Garlic Powder and Paprika: These will add more flavor to your cheesy garlic rice.
- Unsalted Butter: This will give your cheesy rice an extra-rich flavor.
How To Make Cheesy Rice Recipe
- Wash the rice, then heat a pan over medium heat and add the butter let it melt.
- Then add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add the rice, and add your garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until combined.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring everything to a boil. When the water is boiling, cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
- Cook the rice for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the rice from the heat when it is done.
- Add the shredded cheese to the rice, taste and adjust the seasoning, and stir it gently. You can also add broccoli at this time.
- Stir well to ensure the cheese is evenly combined, and serve with whatever you like.
Expert Tips for Creamy, Smooth Cheesy Rice
- You need to be able to control the temperature correctly and use the right ingredients to make sure you don’t end up with grainy cheese sauce.
- The best time to add the cheese is when the rice is cooked. But you need to keep the heat off, and the hot rice will melt the cheese.
- If you want to avoid sticky or mushy rice, you need to make sure you don’t overcook it or add too much cheese.
- To keep your rice creamy as it sits, you need to make sure your rice doesn’t over-absorb the sauce, and you should also stop the sauce from separating.
- You can add a little chicken or vegetable broth or even milk to your rice when reheating to make sure it stays creamy.
How To Serve
- You can serve this comfort food side dish with anything you want, like roasted chicken, grilled meats, fish, etc.
- If you want a vegan option, you can serve this cheesy rice dish with salads or vegetables.
- You can make this cheesy rice as a base for bowls and add different types of protein and veggies.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- You can store this rice in the refrigerator by putting it in an airtight container.
- In the refrigerator, this baked cheesy rice will stay good for up to 5 days.
- If you want, you can reheat the rice either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Just add a little chicken broth, vegetable broth, or milk to fix the dryness when reheating.
Easy Cheesy Rice Recipe
Whenever you need a cheesy side dish or main dish, this easy cheesy rice recipe is a perfect side dish for any dinner.
Servings4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup Long-Grain Rice
- 2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 1 cup Mixed Cheese or Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup Milk
- ¼ tsp Paprika
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Equipments
- Saucepan
Instructions
Cook the Rice (fresh or leftover)
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add the butter.
- Let it melt, then sauté the onion until soft and translucent.
- Add the rice, and add your garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until combined.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring everything to a boil.
- When it is boiling, you should cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
- Let the rice cook for 15 to 18 minutes
Add Cheese, Seasoning, and Serve!
- Remove the rice from the heat when it is done.
- Add the shredded cheese to the rice, taste and adjust the seasoning, and stir it gently. You can also add broccoli at this time.
- You can try to fluff it with a fork and serve it with whatever you like.
Notes
- Make sure you are using pre-shredded cheese if you want the cheese to melt completely into the rice.
- Do not stir the rice too much after you add the cheese; otherwise, it will become too dense and sticky.
- Make sure you do not end up overcooking the rice, or it will turn out too sticky and mushy.
- Try to make sure you are not adding the cheese too early into the rice. Otherwise, your rice could come out undercooked.
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Recipe FAQs
Can I make cheesy rice without milk?
Yes, you can make cheesy rice without milk. But then, you will have to use vegetable or chicken broth.
Is cheesy rice a side dish or a main dish?
It is completely up to you to decide if you want to eat the cheesy rice as a side dish or a main dish.
Can I use leftover rice for cheesy rice?
Yes, you absolutely can use leftover rice to make this easy cheesy rice dish.
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