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An extreme close-up shot of fluffy Parmesan Garlic Rice, showing the individual grains coated in cheese and herbs.

Parmesan Garlic Rice: The Ultimate Cheesy Side Dish

The ultimate Parmesan Garlic Rice recipe! This cheesy, buttery, and incredibly flavorful side dish is ready in under 30 minutes using simple pantry staples. Perfect for any weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice such as Basmati or Jasmine
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Medium Saucepan with Lid
  • 1 Fine-mesh Sieve

Method
 

  1. Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
  3. Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir for 1-2 minutes to toast the grains lightly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
  7. Uncover, fluff the rice with a fork, and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Rinsing the rice is key! This step removes excess starch and ensures your rice is fluffy, not sticky.
Use freshly grated Parmesan. The pre-shredded kind has additives that prevent it from melting smoothly.
Let the rice rest. Don't skip the 5-10 minute rest period after cooking; it's essential for the perfect texture.