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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes

    Cheesy Rice

    Published: Jan 28, 2020 · Modified: Mar 23, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cheesy Rice is a wonderful side dish for any dinner. It goes great with chicken, ribs, or a roast! This is an easy Cheesy Rice side dish recipe because you do not have to bake it. It is made completely on the stove top.

    cheesy rice in a grey bowl topped with parsley

    Rice is mixed with sauteed onions and celery and then coated in a deliciously tangy cheese sauce. The sauce is made with greek yogurt (making it a little healthier), mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. No “cream-of-soup” here.

    Rice Type

    You can make this Cheesy Rice recipe with any type of rice that you prefer. I have written the recipe for long grain white rice. If you choose to use something like brown rice or basmati rice, simply follow the cooking times on the package.

    cheese rice on a fork

    Rinsing your Rice

    In this dish there is no need to rinse your rice. The purpose of rinsing rice is to remove some of the starch dust that makes rice “creamy” instead of separate/individual grains. Since this cheesy rice recipe is supposed to be creamy, the extra starch is a good thing!

    How to Make Cheesy Rice (stove top)

    You want to make sure that you start with a sauce pot with a tight fitting lid so that the rice can cook properly.

    In your sauce pot saute the onions, celery and salt in the olive oil until the veggies are softened, about 5 minutes.

    sauce pot with celery onions and rice inside

    Stir in the rice and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil. Then lower the heat, pop the lid on and cook the rice per package instructions.

    While the rice cooks whisk together the cheese, greek yogurt, mayonnaise, milk and garlic powder.

    cheese sauce in a glass bowl

    When the rice is done fluff it with a fork, then pour the cheese sauce over top and stir to coat the rice. The heat of the rice should melt the cheese.

    cheese sauce being poured over the rice

    Keto Cheesy Rice

    If you are following a Keto diet you can sub out the rice for cauliflower rice. Warm it through if you are using frozen cauliflower rice and then add the cheese sauce to the warm “rice”.

    Cauliflower Florets in a white bowl

    If you are using fresh cauliflower rice, start by sauteing the onions and celery, then saute the cauliflower rice (3 cups) until it is al dente. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese sauce.

    Instant Pot Cheesy Rice

    You can absolutely make this rice dish in your Instant Pot. You will just need to adjust the rice to liquid ratio to 1 cup white rice and 1 ½ cups chicken broth.

    6 quart Duo Plus 9-in-1 Instant Pot

    Saute the onions and celery in the oil for about 5 minutes. Turn off the saute mode. Add 1 cup rice and 1 ½ cups chicken broth to the pot. Pop the lid on and set it to cook on Rice mode for 12 minutes. Then do a quick release.

    Make the cheese sauce and pour over the rice. Stir to combine!

    cheese rice in a bowl topped with parsley

    Using Frozen Rice

    Frozen rice can be a real time saver!! If you use frozen rice simply warm 3 cups of rice in the microwave, per the package instructions.

    In a skillet saute the onions and celery until they are totally softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the warmed rice.

    Prepare the cheese sauce and pour over the rice.

    What to Serve with Cheesy Rice Side Dish

    This is a great side dish to serve instead of potatoes or a casserole. it is family friendly and a crowd pleaser! Here are some great entrees to serve with the Cheesy Rice:

    • Ham Balls
    • Instant Pot Ribs
    • Baked Chicken
    • Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs
    • Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken
    • Grilled Chicken
    cheesy rice in a grey bowl topped with parsley

    Cheesy Rice Recipe

    cheesy rice in a grey bowl topped with parsley

    Cheesy Rice

    Cheesy Rice is a delicious side dish that is perfect for any meal! It is cheesy, creamy and a little tangy. This cheesy rice recipe is made a little healthier with the use of plain Greek yogurt.
    Instructions available for stove top, Instant Pot, frozen rice or cauliflower rice!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 5 people
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ cup yellow onions chopped
    • ½ cup celery chopped (about 2 stalks)
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 cups white long grain rice can use other rice types, just cook according to package instructions
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup milk
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

    Optional add ins:

    • 8 oz can water chestnuts drained and chopped
    • 6.5 oz can mushrooms drained and chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    STOVE TOP INSTRUCTIONS

    • In a saucepan saute the onions, celery and ½ teaspoon salt in 1 tablespoon oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
      Note: Make sure you use a pot that has a tight fitting lid to cook the rice correctly.
    • Stir in the 1 cup rice and pour in the 2 cups chicken broth. Bring the pot to a boil.
    • Reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook according to package instructions.
    • While the rice cooks whisk together the greek yogurt, mayonnaise, milk, cheese, and garlic powder. Set aside.
    • Fluff the rice with a fork.
      Optional: Stir in the chopped mushrooms and chopped water chestnuts.
    • Pour the cheese sauce over the rice and stir to coat. The rice should be hot enough to melt the cheese.
    • Serve as a delicious side dish!

    INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS

    • On saute mode soften the onions, celery, and salt in the olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
      Turn off saute mode.
    • Stir in the chicken broth and rice. NOTE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS – 1 cup white rice and 1 ½ cups chicken broth.
      Set to cook on rice mode for 12 minutes.
    • Do a quick release of pressure.
    • Optional: Stir in the mushrooms, water chestnuts.
    • Whisk together the mayo, yogurt, milk, cheese, and garlic powder.
      Pour over the rice and stir to combine.
    • Serve as a great side dish!

    FROZEN RICE INSTRUCTIONS

    • In a skillet saute the onions and celery in 1 tablespoon of oil until they are completely softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
    • Warm 3 cups of frozen rice in the microwave, per package instructions. Then add to the celery and onion mixture.
    • Prepare the cheese sauce by mixing together the milk, cheese, yogurt, garlic powder and mayo. Pour over the rice and stir to coat.
    • Serve!

    Notes:

    Can also use cauliflower rice:
     If using a frozen cauliflower rice, use 3 cups and follow the instructions for Frozen Rice.
    If using refrigerated cauliflower rice warm it in the skillet with the onions and celery- then follow the Frozen Rice instructions above.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 0.5cup

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    Other Rice Recipes

    If you love to add rice to your dinner recipes, here are some great recipes on Mom’s Dinner to check out:

    • Healthy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice
    • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
    • Skillet Dirty Rice and Beans
    • Instant Pot Cajun Rice with Chicken and Sausage

    More side-dish Recipes

    • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    • Classic Deviled Eggs
    • How To Make Gravy Without Drippings
    • Rosemary Cauliflower Puree
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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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