This creamy Rice Pudding recipe is my husband’s all-time favorite dessert! In this recipe, white rice (you can use leftover rice!) simmers in sweetened milk to make a comforting dessert the whole family will love.

While there are many versions of rice pudding around the world, this classic rice pudding recipe is somewhat similar to tapioca. It’s a sweet, creamy dessert made with rice, milk, and eggs.

bowls of Homemade Rice Pudding.

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Rice Pudding

  • It’s so comforting and delicious, and it’s a family recipe that I’ve loved for years.
  • It uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand, and it’s really easy to make.
  • You can use raw rice or leftover rice in this recipe.
  • It can be served warmed or chilled (we prefer warmed) and reheats well.

Total Time: 35 Mins Serves: 4 Cooking Method: Stovetop

Holly preparing an onion
Total Time:
35 mins
Serves:
4 servings
Rating:
5.0/5
Holly

Ingredients in Rice Pudding

salt , raisins , sugar , butter , rice , milk , egg , vanilla with labels to make Homemade Rice Pudding.
  • Rice: You can use any variety of white rice in this recipe, raw or cooked. I most often use long-grain rice, but arborio rice works well, too.
  • Milk: Whole milk is rich and creamy, but again, any type of milk can be used. For non-dairy milk, try oat milk or coconut milk.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness.
  • Egg: This adds richness to the custard.
  • Spices: To add flavor to this rice pudding recipe, use vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. For more depth, try adding cardamom, allspice, or cloves. Another option is to use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
  • Add-ins: Dress up this dessert with raisins, currants, dried cranberries, nuts, toasted coconut, or any type of nuts or seeds.

How to Make Rice Pudding

ingredients in pot to make Creamy Rice Pudding.
  1. Simmer cooked rice with milk, sugar, & salt in a saucepan until thick & creamy.
adding raisins to pot to make Homemade Rice Pudding.
  1. Whisk the egg and milk in a bowl (full recipe below), then slowly stir in some of the hot rice mixture.
Creamy Rice Pudding in the pot.
  1. Add the tempered egg back into the saucepan with raisins and stir in butter and vanilla.

Tips for Creamy Rice Pudding

  • Stir Frequently: Stir often, especially along the bottom and corners of the saucepan, to prevent the milk and rice from scorching.
  • Keep It Gentle: Keep the mixture at a gentle simmer. Higher heat can cause the pudding to stick and makes it harder to control the texture.
  • Temper the Egg: Add the hot pudding to the egg mixture a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent the egg from scrambling.
  • Don’t Overcook: Remove the pudding from the heat while it’s still slightly looser than your desired consistency, as it will thicken considerably as it cools.
  • Thin If Needed: If chilled rice pudding becomes too thick, stir in a splash of milk before serving or reheating.
bowls of Creamy Rice Pudding

Leftover Rice Pudding

Leftover rice pudding? What’s that? All jokes aside, while we never seem to have any leftovers in our house, but if you do, here are my storage tips.

  • Storing: Keep leftover rice pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding milk if needed.
  • Freezing: If you happen to have leftovers (this is never a thing in my house), you can freeze rice pudding for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm on the stove or in the microwave.

Cozy Old-Fashioned Desserts

Did you enjoy this Rice Pudding Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
close up of Homemade Rice Pudding.
4.95 from 211 votes

Rice Pudding

Servings 4 servings
This easy rice pudding is thick, creamy, and filled with tender rice and sweet golden raisins. Cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg give every spoonful cozy homemade flavor.
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
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Ingredients  

  • 1½ cups cooked white rice see notes for raw rice
  • 2 cups whole milk divided
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅔ cup golden raisins
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions 

  • In a nonstick saucepan, combine 1½ cups of cooked rice, 1½ cups milk, sugar, and salt.
  • Bring to a low boil over medium heat, and cook uncovered, stirring frequently for 15 to 20 minutes or until thick and creamy. Stir frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg with the remaining ½ cup of milk. Gradually add about 1 cup of the hot rice mixture to the egg while stirring. Add the egg mixture to the saucepan, stir in the raisins, and cook for 2 minutes more.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Serve warm and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Video

Notes

This recipe can be doubled.
To use uncooked rice,  combine ½ cup of long-grain white rice with 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook for 18 minutes or until most of the rice is absorbed.
Serve rice pudding chilled or warm.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
4.95 from 211 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 304 | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 412mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American

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bowls of Homemade Rice Pudding with cinnamon and title.
Homemade Rice Pudding in the pot and plated with a title.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
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4.95 from 211 votes (127 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. I made the pudding but I changed the raisins to blueberry raisins and I changed the milk to one cup and Added 1/2cup heavy cream.It came out delicious.4 stars

  2. First time making rice pudding. I trust your website because all the recipes I have tried from here have been great. Sure enough, I made this one and it was amazing. Not too sweet. Nice and creamy. I used whole milk. Didn’t add raisins because I don’t like them. I already know I will be making this regularly now that I know how easy and good it is.5 stars