Description
Cheesy Rice Recipe: A comforting and crowd-pleasing dish made with fluffy rice, gooey cheese, and savory spices. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice, thoroughly rinsed
- 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 2½ cups (285g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk or half-and-half
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1½ teaspoons fresh)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Rice Base In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to foam slightly. Add the diced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent but not browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the grains are coated with butter and appear slightly translucent around the edges.
- Step 2: Cook the Rice Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Avoid the temptation to lift the lid during cooking as this releases necessary steam.
- Step 3: Create the Cheesy Base Remove the pot from heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to finish steaming and results in fluffier texture. Uncover and fluff the rice gently with a fork. While the rice is still hot (but off the heat), add the milk or half-and-half, dried thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Incorporate the Cheese With the pot still off the heat, add one-third of the cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted. Continue adding the remaining cheddar in two more batches, ensuring each addition is fully melted before adding more. Finally, fold in the Parmesan cheese, stirring gently until incorporated. The residual heat from the rice should be sufficient to melt the cheese perfectly without making it stringy.
- Step 5: Final Touches Cover the pot and let the Cheesy Rice Recipe rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Just before serving, give it one final gentle stir. If desired, transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh herbs or an extra sprinkle of cheese. For a delightful textural contrast, you can place the dish under a broiler for 2-3 minutes to create a lightly golden, crispy top layer.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg