Cheese and rice can make a delicious combination when paired thoughtfully. The key is finding cheeses and rice dishes that complement each other’s textures and flavors. Some factors to consider when putting cheese and rice together include:
Types of Cheese
The type of cheese makes a big difference. Soft, creamy cheeses like brie, camembert, havarti, and goat cheese pair nicely with rice dishes. Aged, hard cheeses like parmesan and pecorino romano add a punch of savory, salty flavor. Blue cheese and gouda add pungent, aromatic qualities. Mozzarella, cheddar, and monterey jack have mild, mellow profiles that work well. Cheese needs to be able to melt smoothly or crumble nicely over rice.
Types of Rice
Rice ranges from soft and sticky to fluffy and firm. Stickier rice like short grain white, sushi, and risotto rice stands up well to creamy sauces and melted cheese. Fluffier long grain rice varieties complement drier or crumbled cheeses. Arborio rice and carnaroli rice work nicely in risotto. Brown, black, red, and wild rice add nutty, earthy notes and textures. Rice pasta and orzo also pair well with cheese in casseroles or pasta bakes.
Cooking Methods
The way the rice is prepared and served affects the cheese pairing. Baked rice casseroles, rice gratins, stuffed peppers with rice allow cheese to melt and mingle with rice. Risottos and rice puddings incorporate cheese into the creamy rice. Simple steamed or pilaf style rice can be topped with shredded cheese. Fried rice can incorporate small melted cheese cubes or shreds. Think about how the cheese will integrate into the rice dish.
Flavors and Seasonings
Complementary flavors and aromas enhance the cheese and rice pairing. Onions, garlic, herbs like basil, thyme or rosemary, lemon, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, artichokes and other vegetables all add nice accompaniment. Spices like paprika, saffron, cumin or curry powder lend unique personality. Consider what flavors best suit the cheeses and rice being used.
Accompaniments
What you serve with the cheesy rice is also important. A salad, roasted vegetables, beans, baked chicken or fish can make it a complete meal. Breads, chips or crackers provide an additional starch and texture contrast. Fruits like strawberries, grapes or apples contrast the richness. Wine, beer or other beverages can pull the dish together. Think about the entire plate presentation.
What types of rice pair well with cheese?
Certain types of rice pair better with cheese than others based on texture, flavor, and preparation method. Here are some of the types of rice that go well with cheese:
Arborio Rice
The plump, short grain Italian rice used to make risotto has a creamy starchiness that allows it to absorb cheese flavors beautifully. Oozy cheeses like gouda, asiago, and fontina work nicely in risotto. Aged parmesan is the perfect finishing touch.
Short Grain White Rice
The soft, sticky texture of short grain rice makes it an excellent carrier for cheese sauces and bakes. Rice casseroles often use white rice to soak up cheese flavors. Soft cheeses melt deliciously over this rice.
Wild Rice
The nutty, toothsome quality of wild rice pairs well with pungent, earthy cheeses like gruyere, smoked gouda and aged cheddar. The contrast of textures is compelling. Wild rice stuffed peppers or casseroles gain character from bold cheeses.
Brown Rice
The hearty, faintly nutty taste of brown rice stands up to bolder cheeses like gorgonzola, feta and aged cheeses. Its wholesome flavor and chewy texture complements cheese rice bakes and rice bowls with crumbled cheese.
Jasmine Rice
This subtly aromatic long grain rice pairs well with milky cheeses like burrata, fresh mozzarella and ricotta in rice puddings or simple preparations. Its fluffy texture works with dry shredded cheese or crumbled feta.
Basmati Rice
Mild, dry basmati rice adds an elegant fragrance to rice dishes topped with parmesan, romano, or crumbled goat cheese. The separate grains don’t overpower delicate cheese flavors. Basmati contributes beauty to rice pilafs crowned with cheese.
What types of cheese pair well with rice?
The unique qualities of different cheese varieties determine how well they complement the taste, texture, and preparation of rice. Here are some cheeses that marry beautifully with rice:
Soft, Fresh Cheeses
The creamy, melty quality of soft, fresh cheeses like brie, camembert, mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, cottage cheese, chèvre and mascarpone blend deliciously into rice. They work well stirred into risottos, rice bakes, puddings, and stuffings.
Hard Grating Cheeses
The salty, savory punch of grana padano, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino romano, asiago and aged goudas studded throughout rice dishes adds concentrated flavor. Their firm texture allows crumbling into rice or grating over the top.
Washed Rind Cheeses
The pungent aroma and creamy texture of taleggio, fontina, morbier and Munster melt appealingly over and into rice. Their earthy aromas stand up to rice’s blandness.
Blue Cheeses
The veining and funky flavor of gorgonzola, roquefort, and other blue cheeses add assertive bite to rice dishes. They pair well with earthy wild or brown rice and gamey meats. Their piquant flavor cuts richness.
Cheddar and Jack Cheeses
The mild, mellow taste of good cheddar and Monterey jack mimic the neutrality of white rice. They melt smoothly over rice, blend into rice bakes and casseroles, and crumble nicely over pilafs and rice bowls. Familiar flavors.
What are some classic recipes that combine cheese and rice?
Here are some iconic recipes that showcase how rice and cheese come together deliciously:
Risotto
Creamy Italian arborio rice simmered slowly in broth and stirred with Parmesan cheese is a match made in heaven. The textures marry flawlessly.
Macaroni and Cheese
Elbow macaroni and melted cheddar or American cheese is a comfort food classic. Rice shapes can also be used in this cheesy bake.
Quesadillas
Warm, soft tortillas stuffed with melted Monterey jack cheese, rice, sautéed peppers and onions are fast, fabulous Tex-Mex fare.
Arroz con Pollo
Latin chicken and rice combines rice, chicken, warm spices, and sometimes melty cheese for a tasty one-pot meal.
Baked Ziti or Manicotti
Al dente pasta tubes stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella is Italian-American at its best.
Mujadara
Middle Eastern lentils and rice are finished with caramelized onions and creamy Greek yogurt. Bright, satisfying and simple.
Kimchi Fried Rice
Korean kimchi and cream cheese give this spicy fried rice its unique character. Often includes bacon too.
Khichdi
Indian rice and lentil porridge, simply spiced, is finished with a pat of ghee. Comfort food.
What are some creative ways to use cheese with rice?
Beyond classic rice and cheese pairings, here are some creative ways to join them together:
Inside Stuffed Vegetables
Use rice and cheese as delicious fillings for baked potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, eggplant or squashes. fun presentation and flavors.
Within Meatballs or Meatloaf
Bind ground meat with rice and cheese for added moisture and richness. Shape into meatballs to serve over rice.
Coating on Fish
Bread fish fillets with crushed cheese crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with grated cheese before baking for a crunchy crust.
As a Salad Topping
Toss rice with vinaigrette, herbs, vegetables and cheese for hearty rice salads. Feta, cheddar, bleu cheese, all work!
In Sushi Rolls
Fill sushi with cheese alongside rice, raw fish or veggies. Melty cheeses like brie pair nicely.
In Burritos or Tacos
Make Mexican rice and cheese a filling for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or taco salads for a twist.
In Soup
Add cooked rice and cubed cheese to soups for wholesome body and richness. Cheese helps cling to the rice.
As Breakfast
Make a savory breakfast rice bowl topped with sliced cheeses, fried egg, and avocado. Great way to start the day.
What are tips for pairing and cooking cheese with rice?
Here are some helpful guidelines for successfully cooking rice and cheese dishes:
- Choose cheeses that melt well like mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey jack, havarti, gouda, etc. Aged cheeses work better grated.
- Cook rice until just tender, not mushy. Let rice cool slightly before mixing in cheese.
- Match intensities. Delicate rice pairs best with mild fresh cheeses. Hearty rice stands up to aged cheeses.
- Consider textures. Sticky risotto and rice casseroles suit gooey melted cheese. Fluffy rice highlights crumbled cheese.
- Add cheese at the end to prevent overcooking. Just melt to incorporate.
- For baked dishes, coat rice in sauce then add cheese on top to protect it.
- Shred or cut firm cheeses into small pieces for even melting and distribution in rice.
- Stir cheese thoroughly into risottos and rice puddings to fully incorporate.
- When in doubt, sprinkle extra cheese on top! Melty cheese makes most dishes better.
Properly cooking the rice and strategically adding the cheeses will result in optimum cheesy rice bliss!
What are good meal ideas that contain cheese and rice?
Cheese and rice combine in many excellent complete meal ideas across cultures:
Spanish Rice and Chicken Casserole
Sautéed chicken, tomato sauce, rice, onion, garlic, saffron, peas, manchego cheese
Baked Ziti
Ziti pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce
Mujadara with Greek Yogurt
Lentils, caramelized onions, cumin, rice, greek yogurt
Cheesy Chili Mac
Ground beef chili, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, beans
Broccoli Cheddar Rice Casserole
Cook rice, broccoli, cream soup, cheddar, baked together
Arroz con Pollo
Chicken, rice, onion, garlic, bell pepper, peas, saffron, olives
Cheese Risotto
Onion, arborio rice, white wine, vegetable broth, Parmesan
Quesadillas
Tortillas, Monterey jack cheese, sautéed veggies, salsa
Cuban Picadillo
Ground beef, rice, olives, capers, raisins, tomato sauce
What are the best cheese and rice desserts?
Sweet rice desserts enriched with creamy cheese textures are delightful conclusions to meals:
Cheesecake
New York, Italian ricotta, German käsekuchen, Japanese baked, no bake, so many varieties
Rice Pudding
White rice, milk, sugar, eggs, raisins, cinnamon, vanilla, Stir in cream cheese or ricotta
Arroz Con Leche
Spanish rice, milk, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon. Top with quark or ricotta.
Sutlac
Turkish baked rice pudding with milk, sugar, rosewater, dusted with cinnamon.
Kheer
Indian slow-cooked rice, milk and sugar scented with cardamom, saffron, nuts.
Mango Sticky Rice
Sweet coconut Thai sticky rice with fresh sweet mango.
Zuppa Inglese
Italian trifle layered with cookies, custard, whipped cream, ricotta
Rasgulla
Bengali cheese dumplings in sweet syrup made from chhena cheese.
Conclusion
Rice and cheese are culinary soulmates. With so many varieties of each, the possibilities are endless. Cook the rice properly to complement the cheese. Combine flavors and textures thoughtfully. Use cheeses that melt well unless you want crumbles. Creative rice and cheese dishes span cultures, meals and menus. From Italian risottos to Indian kheer, the pairings are tried and true. With the right recipe or flexible improvisation, cheese and rice create favorite dishes across cuisines.