Cheesy Rice Recipe

Cheesy Rice is a creamy, comforting side dish that will make everyone (including the kids) happy! It doesn't matter if it's a weeknight family dinner or a special occasion, this is a side dish that goes with anything and everything.

Pair this cozy side with your family's favorite protein or make it a delicious base for a veggie-packed bowl. This cheesy rice is here to satisfy all your cravings! With its creamy, melty goodness and a hint of savory flavor, this dish is perfect for everything from family dinners to late-night snacks.

Why This Recipe Works

Around here, we are all about comfort food, especially when it comes to side dishes. This cheesy rice recipe has earned a top-notch spot right alongside other hearty TAK favorites like shells and cheese, mashed potatoes, and slow cooker pinto beans.

We first attempted this recipe with two cups of cooked white rice coated in a simple, homemade cheese sauce. And, while we found this rendition absolutely delicious, this recipe's method is extra easy and cuts back on the dirty dishes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. This version of cheesy rice gets extra special marks thanks to the fact that:

• it comes together in one pan,
• on the stovetop,
• in less than 30 minutes, and
• with minimal ingredients.

Not to mention, this rice recipe works as both a base for casserole-style dinners (just add protein!) or as a cozy side dish.

Cheesy Rice Ingredients

Rice | We use long-white rice for this recipe. Do not use brown rice! It takes much longer to cook, and the rice-to-liquid ratio would need to be altered.

Broth | For this recipe, the rice cooks in a mixture of broth and milk. Unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth is the best choice for broth, but you can also use vegetable broth or water in a pinch.

Milk | Milk will lend a creamy, thick texture to your rice. It's best to stick with milk rather than upgrading to half-and-half or cream, as the higher fat content will prolong the cooking time of rice. This works fine in baked rice recipes like rice pudding, but for stovetop rice, stick to plain ol' milk.

Cheese | For this recipe, it's important to use a really good melting cheese so your rice is extra smooth and creamy. The absolute best choice is a block of freshly grated American cheese. If you can't find block-style American cheese, a mild cheddar or young Gouda also works.

Spices | The spice blend for cheesy rice is super easy--just mix Kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper! if you love Cajun cuisine, check out this Cajun rice recipe, too.

How to Make Cheesy Rice

Rinse Rice | Place the rice in a colander or a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cool, running water until water runs clear.

Transfer Rice to Saucepan | In a small saucepan, add your rice, then add broth, milk, and all of the spices. Stir.

Simmer | Over medium-high heat, allow the saucepan to come to a simmer. Fit the lid on the saucepan and reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer (small, delicate bubbles repetitively rising to the surface).

Gently simmer for about 20 minutes; try not to disturb the lid so the rice maintains a constant level of steam.

What Does "Gentle Simmer" Mean?

Heat is very important when it comes to achieving properly cooked rice in the allotted cook time. To cook rice, you need to maintain a constant, gentle simmer (e.g., small, delicate bubbles repetitively rising to the surface).

Maintaining a simmer might look different on your stovetop than mine. On my favorite burner, a gentle simmer means that I've got the burner knob about as low as I can get it without turning the heat off. However, it might not look the same on your stovetop. This is why it's important to know what a gentle simmer looks like and adjust your heat accordingly.

Also, keep in mind, as soon as you place the lid on the pan, the pace of the simmer will increase shortly after, so be sure to watch and adjust accordingly before walking away.

While cooking, it is important you don't lift the lid. Allow the rice to maintain a constant level of heat and steam so it can properly cook through.

Remove Rice from Heat | After the time is up, check for doneness. Once done, remove the rice from the heat (with the lid on) and set aside for 10 minutes.

Fluff + Add Cheese | Gently fluff the rice with a fork, add the cheese, and mix until creamy.

Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve with Cheesy Rice

Bulk It Up | Cheesy rice is so versatile. This simple dish can be bulked up with peas, asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a protein like baked chicken or mixed in taco meat. Serve it up sausage and rice style with sliced and seared andouille or kielbasa sausage with a sprinkle of blackened seasoning.

On the Side | Cheesy rice is rich and comforting; great for serving alongside solid dinnertime proteins like roasted chicken, breaded and baked pork chops, or pork tenderloin. Add some cheesy flair to our popular turkey meatballs for an easy dinnertime win. Or hit the easy button with cheesy rice alongside Crockpot chicken legs.

With More Sides | Make it a feast and bring to the table a Sunday-dinner-style meal with your main dish of choice next to fresh green beans, dinner rolls, baked veggies, roasted okra, Southern green beans.

5 More Rice Dishes You'll Love

• Dirty Rice
• Red Beans and Rice
• Shrimp and Rice
• Spanish Rice
• Broccoli Rice Casserole