Description
Creamy cheesy rice brings comfort from Mexican kitchens to your dinner plate. Melted cheese and tender rice blend into a simple yet irresistible side dish that satisfies hunger with warm, rich flavors you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Primary Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or basmati)
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Green onions, sliced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth (optional, for extra flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by melting butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet essence.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring briefly to awaken its robust flavor without burning, creating a fragrant foundation for the dish.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and pour in milk and broth, creating a creamy liquid base that will cradle the cheese and rice.
- Gradually incorporate shredded cheese into the simmering liquid, whisking continuously to ensure a silky, smooth sauce that coats the back of a spoon with luxurious consistency.
- Fold in cooked rice, allowing each grain to become enrobed in the velvety cheese mixture, ensuring complete and even distribution of flavors.
- Season the cheesy rice with salt, pepper, and a hint of smoked paprika, adjusting to taste and creating depth of flavor.
- Transfer the creamy concoction to a serving dish, garnishing with optional toppings like crisp bacon bits, fresh parsley, or delicate green onion slices to add texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously melted and the rice maintains its perfect, comforting warmth.
Notes
- Choose butter with high fat content for a richer, creamier cheese sauce that coats the rice evenly.
- Select mild cheeses like cheddar or monterey jack for a smooth, kid-friendly version that melts perfectly without breaking.
- Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, hearty texture to the dish.
- Experiment with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets, ensuring the same creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg