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Cheesy Rice Recipe

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4.3 from 8 reviews

This creamy and comforting Cheesy Rice recipe combines tender long grain white rice cooked gently in a flavorful mixture of chicken broth and milk, then finished with sharp cheddar cheese for a rich, cheesy flavor. Perfect as a hearty side or simple main, this dish is easy to prepare and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Rice and Base

  • 1 cup long grain white rice (not instant or brown)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 small onion, small diced
  • 8 ounces chicken broth
  • 8 ounces whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cheese

  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Rinse Rice: Place the rice into a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water to remove surface starches. This step ensures the rice cooks up fluffy with individual grains instead of becoming sticky or gummy.
  2. Sauté Onion: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the diced onion and cook until it just begins to lightly brown around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the onion to develop a gentle sweetness and aroma.
  3. Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the rinsed rice, chicken broth, whole milk, paprika, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low, almost off, to allow the rice to cook slowly and absorb the liquid.
  4. Cook Rice: Follow the rice package instructions for timing—typically about 18 to 20 minutes for white rice. Avoid lifting the lid frequently during cooking as this releases steam, which can extend cooking time and dry out the rice.
  5. Finish with Cheese: Once the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese gently and fluff the rice with a fork to combine the cheese evenly as it melts into the warm rice.
  6. Serve: Serve the cheesy rice warm as a comforting side dish or simple main course.

Notes

  • Use long grain white rice for the best texture—avoid instant or brown rice for this recipe.
  • Rinsing the rice is crucial to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.
  • Be patient during cooking and resist the urge to lift the lid to keep steam trapped inside.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor, but you can experiment with other cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or Gruyere if desired.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/cheesy-rice-recipe/