If you love cheesy comfort food, this cheesy rice recipe is a must-try! With just a 5 basic ingredients, you can whip up a creamy, flavorful side that everyone will rave about.
If you're looking for a simple, creamy, and incredibly cheesy side dish to elevate your dinner, this Cheesy Rice is exactly what you need! Perfectly cooked rice, rich butter, and sharp cheddar cheese come together to create a dish that pairs wonderfully with anything from grilled chicken to hearty beef dishes.
With minimal ingredients and easy preparation, this cheesy rice will quickly become a family favorite! A few of our favorite main dish recipes to have it with are Oven Roasted Chicken Drumsticks, Beef Tips and Gravy, and Barbecue Country Style Ribs!
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Creamy & Cheesy: It’s comfort food at its finest with a velvety texture and a rich cheesy flavor.
- Perfect Side Dish: Pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this recipe perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Kid-Friendly: The cheesy flavor is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a dish the whole family will love.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs, whether it’s adding veggies or using a different type of cheese.
Ingredients
Scroll down for recipe amounts and instructions in the recipe card.
- Long Grain White Rice: The base of the dish, long-grain rice cooks up fluffy and light, creating the perfect texture to absorb the cheese and butter.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create the creamy consistency that makes this dish so irresistible. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Whole Milk: The key to the creamy texture of the cheesy rice. Whole milk adds richness, but you can use lower-fat milk or even half-and-half for a lighter or richer version.
- Zero Salt Chicken Bouillon (or Regular Bouillon): Adds depth of flavor without overwhelming the dish. The zero-salt version is perfect if you want to control the salt content, but regular bouillon will work just as well.
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star of the dish, sharp cheddar melts beautifully and infuses the rice with its tangy, cheesy flavor. The sharper the cheddar, the more pronounced the flavor will be.
Tools You'll Need
How to Make Cheesy Rice
- Place rice in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water, covering the rice by a few inches. Gently stir the rice around. Carefully pour out the water, using your hand or a sieve to catch any escaping grains. Refill the bowl with fresh water and repeat the process 2-3 times until the water is mostly clear.
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the rice, 2 cups of water, milk, butter, and zero-salt chicken bouillon or bouillon cubes, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Remove from the heat. Gently fluff with a fork.
- Fold shredded cheese into the rice just until it's combined. Serve warm.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Thickening Tips: As the rice comes to room temperature, it will thicken. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can either add additional liquid to the rice during the cooking process, or you can add a splash or milk, water, or broth to add hydration after it's been cooked.
- Switch Up the Cheese: You can use different cheeses for varied flavors—Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a spicy Pepper Jack will give this dish a new twist.
- Add Veggies: Stir in cooked broccoli florets, peas, or spinach to add a pop of color and nutrients to the dish.
- Make it Healthier: For a lighter version, substitute low-fat milk and reduce the amount of butter and cheese. You can also add more veggies to bulk up the dish with fewer calories.
- Add Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt are some yummy flavor additions.
- Add Protein: Turn this side dish into a main course by adding cooked chicken, ham, or bacon for a cheesy rice casserole.
- Add Garnishes: To the top of the rice, add parmesan cheese or sliced green onion for a final touch and extra flavor.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or milk to loosen it up, then microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat.
You can freeze leftover cheesy rice for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can substitute long-grain white rice with brown rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice, though the cooking times may vary. Just ensure the rice is fully cooked before adding the other ingredients.
The recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free chicken bouillon or broth. Just check the labels to ensure the bouillon is gluten-free.
Yes! You can make cheesy rice ahead of time and reheat it before serving. Just add a little milk when reheating to help restore its creamy texture.
Yes, you can make this cheesy rice recipe dairy-free by using a plant-based butter and milk (such as almond or oat milk), and a dairy-free cheese alternative.
More Delicious Side Dishes
Cheesy Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice rinsed well and drained
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon zero salt chicken bouillon or regular bouillon
- 1 teaspoon salt lower if using regular bouillon
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place rice in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water, covering the rice by a few inches. Gently stir the rice around. Carefully pour out the water, using your hand or a sieve to catch any escaping grains. Refill the bowl with fresh water and repeat the process 2-3 times until the water is mostly clear.
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the rice, 2 cups of water, milk, butter, and zero-salt chicken bouillon or bouillon cubes, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Remove from the heat. Gently fluff with a fork.
- Fold shredded cheese into the rice just until it's combined. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Tips and Substitutions
- Thickening Tips: As the rice comes to room temperature, it will thicken. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can either add additional liquid to the rice during the cooking process, or you can add a splash or milk, water, or broth to add hydration after it's been cooked.
- Switch Up the Cheese: You can use different cheeses for varied flavors—Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a spicy Pepper Jack will give this dish a new twist.
- Add Veggies: Stir in cooked broccoli florets, peas, or spinach to add a pop of color and nutrients to the dish.
- Make it Healthier: For a lighter version, substitute low-fat milk and reduce the amount of butter and cheese. You can also add more veggies to bulk up the dish with fewer calories.
- Add Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt are some yummy flavor additions.
- Add Protein: Turn this side dish into a main course by adding cooked chicken, ham, or bacon for a cheesy rice casserole.
- Add Garnishes: To the top of the rice, add parmesan cheese or sliced green onion for a final touch and extra flavor.
Leave a Reply