Old-Fashioned Stovetop Creamy Rice Pudding
Make the creamiest, old-fashioned rice pudding right on your stovetop. This simple recipe delivers rich, comforting flavor perfect for a nostalgic sweet treat.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup short-grain white rice (Arborio or medium-grain works well)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for topping)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well.
- Combine the rinsed rice, whole milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low once simmering.
- Cook uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes. The pudding thickens as the liquid absorbs and the rice softens. You want a creamy, thick consistency, not dry.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve the rice pudding warm, or chill it completely in the refrigerator for a firmer texture later.
- If serving warm, sprinkle extra cinnamon on top before serving.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use whole milk and stir often during the cooking process.
- This pudding thickens significantly as it cools. If it becomes too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
- You can add 1/2 cup of raisins during the last 15 minutes of cooking if you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 25
