Cheese and Spinach Rice
Creamy, comforting, and bursting with wholesome flavors, Cheese and Spinach Rice is the perfect one-pot dish that combines simplicity and indulgence. In this recipe, fluffy white rice is infused with the rich creaminess of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, while vibrant baby spinach adds color and nutrients to every bite. Enhanced with garlic sautéed in a blend of butter and olive oil, this dish achieves a balance of savory richness and freshness. A touch of heavy cream ties it all together, creating a velvety texture that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal as a quick vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish to accompany your favorite proteins. Whether you’re looking to elevate your weeknight dinner game or impress guests with minimal effort, this cheesy, spinach-packed delight will tick all the boxes. Perfect for lovers of comfort food with a healthy twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and a pinch of salt, lower the heat to a simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 15 minutes or until the rice absorbs all the water. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the chopped baby spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the spinach wilts down completely.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the cream to warm through.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce.
Add the cooked rice to the skillet and mix well to coat the rice evenly with the cheesy spinach sauce.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat everything through.
Serve warm as a main dish or a side dish. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1425 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.9 g | 132% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.8 g | 274% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 273 mg | 91% | |
| Sodium | 2949 mg | 128% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.3 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.6 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 56.4 g | 113% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1548 mg | 119% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1427 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
