Garlic Parmesan Rice is a simple, flavorful one-pot side dish made with long-grain rice, garlic, butter, milk and parmesan cheese. It is so quick to prepare and makes an easy side dish for weeknight meals.
Love simple homemade rice dishes? Try my Greek Spinach Rice, Instant Pot Lemon Rice, and South Indian Tomato Rice.
Quick Look: Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for weeknight meals.
- Dietary info: Vegetarian, egg-free.
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What is Parmesan Rice?
Parmesan rice is a simple, easy side dish made with basmati rice, garlic, milk, dried parsley, butter, milk and parmesan cheese. Instead of cooking rice in water alone, half of the cooking liquid is milk, which gives the rice dish a creamy texture and mild richness.
The rinsed rice is first sauteed with melted butter and garlic, which gives the base flavor before the milk and water are added. Once the rice is cooked, grated parmesan cheese is stirred in while the rice is still hot. The cheese melts into the cooked rice and adds a savory, salty flavor and a rich, slightly nutty taste to the rice.
This is one of the best recipes when you want something different from plain steamed rice. It can be served along with roasted vegetables, curries or soups.
If you are looking for more global vegetarian recipes, try my Festive Goat Cheese Balls, Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts, Creamy Tomato Coconut Pasta, and Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples.
Why you'll love this recipe:
- This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- It is made in one pot, so there is less cleaning up.
- It is a simple way to make plain rice more interesting.
- It pairs well with your favorite protein, roasted vegetables, curries, and soups.
- It is suitable for a weeknight meal as well as a more special dinner.
Ingredients & Substitutions:
Rice - Any long-grain rice works best for this recipe. I have used basmati rice. Rinse and drain well before cooking.
Looking for more recipes using basmati rice? Try my Instant Pot Lemon Rice, Green Chutney Pulao, and Greek Spinach Rice.
Parmesan Cheese - It is the star ingredient. It adds a wonderful flavor and mild nuttiness. Use freshly grated parmesan if possible. If you want to substitute parmesan cheese, hard and aged Italian cheeses like Grana Padano can be used. The flavor will be slightly different.
Butter - Butter adds richness and flavor. It helps saute the garlic and rice. I have used unsalted butter because it gives more control over the salt. Salted butter can also be used, but you may need slightly less salt.
Garlic - Freshly grated or chopped garlic gives the rice its main savory flavor. I do not recommend garlic powder for this recipe.
Milk - Milk adds richness and creaminess to the rice. Do not skip milk for the best results.
Parsley - I have used dried parsley in this recipe. Fresh parsley can also be used. It adds a mild, fresh herbal flavor to the rice. You can also use fresh cilantro but the flavor will be slightly different.
Variations:
Stir in your favorite vegetables and greens like broccoli, bell peppers, corn, green peas or spinach for a more balanced rice dish.
Replace parsley with fresh basil, oregano, or cilantro depending on the flavors you love.
For a litte extra heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes along with black pepper.
Saute sliced mushrooms with the garlic before adding the rice for an earthy flavor.
Add a small squeeze of lemon at the end to brighten the rich, creamy flavors.
How to Make Parmesan Rice
Grate the parmesan cheese block using a cheese grater and set aside until use.
Melt the butter in a wide pan. Add finely chopped garlic and saute for a minute.
Wash and drain the basmati rice well and add it to the pan.
Saute for 2 minutes over a medium flame.
Pour in the milk and water.
Add salt, black pepper powder and dried parsley. Mix everything.
Bring it to a rolling boil.
Once it starts boiling, cover the pan with a lid and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the rice is soft.
Stir gently once or twice while cooking. Once the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat.
Add the grated parmesan cheese and gently mix with a fork until evenly combined.
Serve the garlic parmesan rice warm.
Tips & Notes:
- Use fresh and high-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Use a heavy-bottomed wide pan to prevent burning.
- Rinse the rice well until the water is mostly clear. This removes the excess starch.
- Do not brown the garlic. Saute the garlic just until fragrant.
- Do not skip sauteeing rice before adding milk and water.
- Make sure you cook over a medium heat. High heat can make the liquid evaporate quickly before the rice is fully cooked.
- The rice should be soft and most of the liquid should be absorbed before adding parmesan cheese.
- Always add parmesan cheese while the cooked rice is still hot. The residual heat is enough to melt the cheese and coat the rice.
- Use a fork to mix the cheese with the rice. It helps separate the grains and gently distributes the cheese without breaking the rice.
Serving Suggestions
Parmesan garlic rice is versatile enough to serve with a variety of vegetarian side dishes. Its creamy, savory flavor works especially well with simple vegetable side dishes like Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples, Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts, and Hasselback Butternut Squash.
Add some steamed or stir-fried vegetables on the side for a simple and balanced plate.
Pair it with simple salads or soups like Mango Cucumber Salad, Persimmon Kale Salad, or Potato Kale Soup.
Storage Suggestions:
Let the parmesan cheese rice cool down before storing it. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add a splash of milk or water and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
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Parmesan Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Garlic
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Grate the parmesan cheese block using a cheese grater and set aside until use.
- Melt the butter in a wide pan. Add finely chopped garlic and saute for a minute.
- Wash and drain the basmati rice well and add it to the pan.
- Saute for 2 minutes over a medium flame.
- Pour in the milk and water.
- Add salt, black pepper powder and dried parsley. Mix everything.
- Bring it to a rolling boil. Once it starts boiling, cover the pan with a lid and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the rice is soft.
- Stir gently once or twice while cooking. Once the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and gently mix with a fork until evenly combined.
- Serve the garlic parmesan rice warm.
Video
Notes
- Rinse the rice well until the water is mostly clear. This removes the excess starch.
- Do not brown the garlic. Saute the garlic just until fragrant.
- Make sure you cook over medium heat. High heat can make the liquid evaporate quickly before the rice is fully cooked.
- Use a fork to mix the cheese with the rice. It helps separate the grains and gently distributes the cheese without breaking the rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only.
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