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The Ultimate Creamy Old Fashioned Stovetop Rice Pudding

A close-up of creamy rice pudding in a white bowl, topped generously with ground cinnamon.
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You can make this classic, comforting rice pudding right on your stovetop. This recipe delivers the rich, velvety texture you remember from childhood using simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup short-grain white rice (Arborio works well for creaminess)
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for topping

Instructions

  1. Combine the rice, whole milk, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
  3. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. You want a very gentle simmer.
  4. Cook uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes. The goal is for the rice to absorb most of the liquid and become tender, and for the mixture to thicken significantly. Stir more often toward the end of the cooking time.
  5. Stir in the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Continue to stir until the sugar dissolves and the pudding reaches your desired creamy consistency. Remember, it will thicken more as it cools.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat. If you prefer a thicker pudding, let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
  7. Serve warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or chill completely for a firmer texture.

Notes

  • For an even richer, copycat texture, substitute 1/2 cup of the whole milk with 1/2 cup of evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk.
  • If you want to add raisins, soak 1/2 cup of raisins in hot water for 10 minutes, drain them well, and stir them in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  • This is a great make ahead dessert; it thickens considerably in the refrigerator. Add a splash of milk when reheating if needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://miameal.com/creamy-old-fashioned-rice-pudding-recipe/