Creamy Spinach Rice Recipe for Ultimate Comfort Cooking Recipe
This creamy spinach rice recipe combines fluffy long-grain white rice with a rich, garlicky spinach and cream sauce, enhanced by Parmesan cheese for a comforting and flavorful side dish. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare on the stovetop, it serves as an ideal accompaniment to a variety of meals or as a satisfying vegetarian main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Rice Base
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
For the Creamy Spinach Mix
- 4 cups fresh spinach (preferably baby spinach)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Extras
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice Base: Heat the olive oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the long-grain white rice and toast it while stirring constantly until the edges of the rice become translucent, about 2 minutes. This step enhances the nutty flavor of the rice.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for 15–18 minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice grains are tender.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: While the rice cooks, heat a small drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Then gradually add the fresh spinach leaves in batches, cooking until wilted and bright green, which should take about 2–3 minutes.
- Create the Creamy Spinach Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat and pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Return the skillet to low heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and coats the spinach well, roughly 3 minutes. Add the optional pinch of nutmeg and red pepper flakes here if using for extra flavor.
- Combine Rice and Spinach Mixture: Add the cooked rice and the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Gently fold everything together until the rice is evenly coated with the creamy spinach sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Use chicken broth or vegetable broth for more flavorful rice instead of plain water.
- Baby spinach is preferred for its tenderness and mild flavor.
- The creaminess can be adjusted by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- To add a slight kick, include red pepper flakes in the creamy spinach mixture.
- For a nutty depth, a pinch of fresh nutmeg complements the cream sauce well.
- This dish can be veganized by substituting cream with a plant-based alternative and using nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Keywords: creamy spinach rice, spinach rice recipe, side dish, comfort food, vegetarian rice dish
