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Creamy Cheesy Rice

Creamy Cheesy Rice: Your Go-To Comfort Food Bliss

Creamy Cheesy Rice is a delicious, comforting side dish that transforms basic ingredients into a satisfying meal in just 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Rice
  • 1 cup Long Grain White Rice Avoid instant or brown rice for best results.
For the Cooking Liquid
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth Can be substituted with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
  • 1 cup Whole Milk For a richer taste, use heavy cream.
For the Flavor Base
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Olive oil can be a lighter alternative.
  • 1 Diced Onion Substitute with onion powder if fresh is unavailable.
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika Consider smoked paprika for a unique twist.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste preference.
  • a pinch Pepper Adjust to taste preference.
For the Cheesy Goodness
  • 1 to 1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese Swap with Gouda or mozzarella for different flavors.

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Rinse 1 cup of long grain white rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add the rinsed rice, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup of whole milk, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 0.5 teaspoons of salt, and a pinch of pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook undisturbed for 18-20 minutes.
  5. After 20 minutes, remove from heat and stir in 1 to 1 ½ cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese until melted.
  6. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm, perfect alongside grilled meats or veggies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth. Experiment with different cheeses for varied flavors.

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