This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This is comfort food for the whole family will love! One pot cheesy rice is tasty, creamy, and simple to prepare on your stovetop. White rice is flavored with chicken broth, shredded cheese, and garlic, and you can add a splash of milk or cream for extra creaminess and indulgence. This 30-minute side dish is a perfect accompaniment to all your favorite dishes, from chicken to hot dogs to a salmon fillet. It’s a kid-friendly recipe that will always get rave reviews.
Whip up this tasty cheesy rice in next to no time. It’s perfect as a quick and easy side dish. Use any kind of cheese and seasonings to make it your own.
Looking for more rice recipe ideas? You might also like to try stick of butter rice, this salmon rice bowl, or perhaps this cowboy beef and rice skillet.
Why You’ll Love It
So creamy and cheesy: Rice is a neutral-tasting ingredient which is why it’s so perfect with plenty of shredded cheese, butter and a splash of milk to make it oh-so-satisfying and delicious.
Easy to prepare: The rice is simmered in chicken broth until done and then you simply mix in the remaining ingredients!
Kid-friendly: The kids might not be impressed with plain boiled rice (or rice you’ve hidden finely chopped veggies in!) but they’ll love this easy cheesy rice for sure!
A speedy side dish: You can prep and cook the whole recipe in just 30 minutes.
Creamy Cheesy Rice Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Rice: I like to use long grain rice. You can use any kind of rice you like for this recipe, even brown rice if that’s your preference. Just keep in mind different kinds of rice have different cooking times.
Chicken broth: Adds a meaty flavor to the dish.
Unsalted butter: You can use salted if you like – just reduce the amount of extra salt added. If you prefer olive oil, use that instead.
Garlic powder: For a garlicky twist.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Or any other cheese you like. I recommend shredding your own for the best melt.
Milk: Just a splash. This is optional but makes it extra-creamy.
How to Make Cheesy Rice
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the rice: Rinse the rice under running water. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan and stir in the rice. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender.
Make it creamy: Fluff the rice with a fork. Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Continue cooking over a low heat for a couple more minutes. Stir in the cheese and (if liked) a splash of milk. Serve this family favorite hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: Rice is naturally gluten-free. Check your chicken broth is too.
Vegetarian version: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Add some veggies: Cooked broccoli, green onion or peas would be good, or try carrots or asparagus.
Make it herby: Stir in some fresh parsley, thyme or chives for more flavor.
Add some spices: A pinch of taco seasoning or your favorite spice blend customizes this cheesy rice recipe perfectly.
Not a rice fan? Try macaroni or another pasta instead of the rice.
Cheddar cheese: Try Colby or Monterey Jack instead, or even use a blend of cheeses.
Serving Suggestions
With fish: Pair your cheesy rice recipe with Mediterranean cod or another of your favorite easy recipes using fish.
With chicken: Try it with one of these air fryer chicken recipes. Or swap the cheddar for a Mexican cheese blend and have it with chicken Tinga.
With a steak: Italian steak would be good with cheesy rice, or perhaps enjoy some with hamburger steak as a real comfort food meal!
How to Store Creamy Cheesy Rice
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: While this recipe can be frozen, the texture of the cheesy rice might change a bit. Store leftovers in a freezer-safe container or individual portion containers like Souper Cubes (I got mine here!) and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over a medium heat or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth and heat until warmed through.
Top Tips
Rinse the rice first: Rinse your rice thoroughly under cold water to remove the starch and ensure fluffy rice.
Shred your own cheese: Use a box grater to shred a block of sharp cheddar cheese, or whatever cheese you want to use. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly due to the anticaking agents that stop the shreds from sticking together in the package.
Add some milk: Although adding a splash of milk is optional, it does make the dish extra-creamy so I recommend it. Heavy cream or Half & Half would work too, or even a little sour cream.
Liquid left after cooking: If there’s liquid left in the saucepan after cooking the rice, just drain it off before adding your cheese and other seasonings.
Creamy Cheesy Rice FAQs
Yes you can. Just put the leftover cooked rice in a pan with all the other ingredients and cook, stirring, until heated through. If you’re using this method, you’ll only need a splash of chicken broth instead of 2 cups.
Sure, use your box grater to grate cauliflower and use that in place of the rice. As cauliflower doesn’t absorb water like rice does, you will only need a splash of chicken broth for this version too.
Creamy Cheesy Rice Recipe
Cheesy Rice
Equipment
- Saucepan Medium with Lid
Ingredients
- 1 Cup long grain white rice
- 2 Cups chicken broth
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ Cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 Splash milk, optional for creaminess
Instructions
- Rinse rice in a fine mesh sieve under cold water until water runs clear. Pour broth into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, stir in rice. Turn heat down to low and cover with lid. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
- Fluff rice with a fork and add butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes on low heat.
- Stir in cheese until melted and add a splash of milk for creaminess, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Shred your own cheese: Use a box grater to shred a block of sharp cheddar cheese, or whatever cheese you want to use. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly due to the anticaking agents that stop the shreds from sticking together in the package.
Add some milk: Although adding a splash of milk is optional, it does make the dish extra-creamy so I recommend it. Heavy cream or Half & Half would work too, or even a little sour cream.
Liquid left after cooking: If there’s liquid left in the saucepan after cooking the rice, just drain it off before adding your cheese and other seasonings.
Nutrition
Looking for new side dish ideas? Cheesy rice is a delicious recipe you can have on the table in just half an hour. With chicken broth, shredded cheese and garlic, this side dish is absolutely delicious and the whole family will enjoy it. You can use a rice cooker or saucepan to make it, and you’ll find this dish pairs with all sorts of different proteins. Making rice is easy and so is making cheesy rice!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Cheesy rice was unbelievably creamy and so easy. It’s already a new favorite!