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The Ultimate Creamy, Old-Fashioned Stovetop Rice Pudding

Close-up of creamy rice pudding topped generously with ground cinnamon in a white bowl.

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This recipe delivers the creamiest, old-fashioned rice pudding you can make right on your stovetop. It uses simple ingredients to create a rich, comforting dessert perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup short-grain white rice (Arborio works well)
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 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, sugar, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low once simmering begins.
  4. Continue to cook, stirring every few minutes, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened to your desired consistency. The longer you cook, the creamier it will become.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Serve the rice pudding warm, or transfer it to a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and chill completely before serving cold.
  7. Sprinkle with extra ground cinnamon before serving.

Notes

  • For an ultra-creamy texture, use whole milk and stir often during the cooking process.
  • You can substitute 1/2 cup of the milk with evaporated milk for added richness.
  • This pudding tastes great warm, but the texture firms up nicely when chilled, making it a good make-ahead dessert.

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