Old-Fashioned Creamy Stovetop Rice Pudding
Make the creamiest, old-fashioned rice pudding on your stovetop. This simple recipe delivers rich, nostalgic comfort using basic ingredients, flavored perfectly with vanilla and cinnamon.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup short-grain white rice (Arborio works well)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for topping
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the rice, whole milk, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring often to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Cook uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes. The pudding thickens as the rice absorbs the liquid and becomes tender.
- When the pudding reaches your desired creamy consistency, remove it from the heat. It will thicken more as it cools.
- Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Serve the rice pudding warm, sprinkled with extra cinnamon, or chill completely for a cold dessert.
Notes
- For an extra rich texture, substitute 1/2 cup of the whole milk with heavy cream.
- If the pudding becomes too thick upon cooling, stir in a splash of milk to reach your preferred consistency.
- This is a great make ahead dessert; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 25