Like creamy risotto without all the fuss and stirring, this Creamy Rice Recipe with parmesan, lemon and parsley is the perfect side to all of your favorite main courses, or add cooked shrimp for a one-pot dinner superstar!
The next time you're looking for a fun party trick, follow this recipe to turn plain rice into a luscious and rich parmesan rice that is worthy of your personal Side Dish Recipes Hall of Fame.
I've included options for using different types of rice in the FAQ section below, as well as modifying the flavors with herbs and veggies to suit your taste.
What you'll need to make this easy rice recipe:
Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about the ingredients:
Rice: any kind of long grain rice will work in this recipe! Basmati, Jasmine, Carolina are all great. Medium-grain rice will also work. If using brown rice, adjust liquid ration and cooking time according to package instructions.
Stock: the recipe calls for vegetable stock. If cooking for meat-eaters, chicken stock is a great option.
White pepper: adds complex, floral notes to the rice dish. Substitute black pepper, if desired.
Herbs: the recipe calls for diced flat leaf parsley. Substitute chives or basil, if you'd like.
Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.
Step by step instructions:
1. Start savory cooking liquid
Combine butter, vegetable broth, 1 ¼ cups of milk and white pepper in a pot with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Cook rice
Bring the mixture up to a simmer over medium heat, then add 1 ½ cups long grain rice to the milk mixture.
Return the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 18-20 minutes, until the liquid has absorbed and the grains are cooked through.
At the end of cooking time, I test the rice to determine if it needs additional liquid or time to fully steam through. If needed, I'll add ¼ cup additional milk, stir, cover and cook for an extra 2-3 minutes.
3. Combine rest of the ingredients
Once the rice has finished cooking, remove from the heat, add lemon zest, parmesan, the final ½ cup of whole milk and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Garnish and serve
Serve with additional lemon zest and parsley for garnish.
Looking for more delicious sides?
- Mediterranean Basmati Rice with Lemon and Dill
- Marinated Grilled Asparagus
- Duchess Potato Casserole Recipe
- Lyonnaise Potatoes (Fried Potatoes and Onions)
FAQ's and Serving Suggestions:
Any long grain, uncooked rice will do. I used Carolina plain white rice, but I've made it with Jasmine rice and it worked well. A medium grain rice like arborio rice would also work. I have not made the dish with brown rice, but as long as you made adjustments in total time to cook and liquid (per package instructions on your brown rice) you should still achieve a creamy texture in your parmesan rice.
Milk adds a creamy consistency to the dish, but doesn't add the flavor or complexity that the broth brings to the party. If using only milk, you'll need to add at least 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the mixture as it comes to a boil, then taste and adjust seasoning once the rice is cooked
White pepper has a little more complex, earthy flavor than black pepper, and usually less pungent. But black pepper is a perfectly good substitute in this rice. Just reduce the amount to ¼ teaspoon, then taste and adjust seasoning.
It's perfect with simple seared sea scallops or grilled shrimp and a tossed salad. For non-pescatarians, you could shred some rotisserie chicken into the rice to make a cheesy chicken one-pot wonder.
Finely diced yellow onion and a couple of grated garlic cloves would add more flavor to the dish - just saute in the pan with butter, and add rice, stock, milk and pepper once they are softened. If you're out of parsley, fresh basil would add a beautiful, floral flavor.
Absolutely. Many cultures around the world uses milk to cook rice recipes.
To store, cover leftover rice tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, transfer to a medium saucepan and combine with a few tablespoons of stock or milk, heating over medium until warm.
Creamy Parmesan Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups vegetable stock
1 ¾ cups whole milk, divided
½ teaspoon white pepper
1 ½ cups long grain rice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Combine butter, vegetable broth, 1 ¼ cups of whole milk and white pepper in a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring the mixture up to a simmer, then add 1 ½ cups long grain rice.
- Return the pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 18-20 minutes, until the liquid has absorbed and the grains are cooked through. At the end of cooking time, I test the rice to determine if it needs additional liquid or time to fully steam through. If needed, I'll add ¼ cup additional milk, stir, cover and cook for an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Once the rice mixture has finished cooking, remove from the heat, add lemon zest and parmesan, stirring to combine. Then add the final ½ cup of whole milk and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve with additional lemon zest and parsley for garnish.
Notes
Use any long-grain rice in this recipe. If substituting brown rice, increase liquid and cook time according to package directions.
Substitute chives or basil for flat leaf parsley, if desired.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Easy Recipes
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Liz
Had no idea you could cook rice in milk. Turned out great. I used chives because I didn't have parsley but everyone loved it. Will definitely make again.
Christina Jolam
Great to hear, Liz! Chives are the perfect substitute for parsley. Glad the whole family loved it! Appreciate you coming back to leave a helpful review.
Nia
So delicious! Thank you for your creativity and recipe.
Christina Jolam
So glad you loved it, Nia! Such an easy recipe for a big flavor payoff - just how we like it. Thanks for coming back to leave a helpful review!