Creamy Pimento Cheese Rice Recipe Is As Southern As It Gets Grains Side Dishes

Creamy pimento cheese rice? Yes, please! Down south we love our pimento cheese. This creamy pimento cheese rice recipe is delicious! The roasted red peppers and garlic meld beautifully with the cheddar cheese and rice. The heavy cream adds the creaminess factor that pimento cheese is known for.

You don't need a lot of ingredients to make this southern cheesy rice. Here is your shopping list: butter, garlic, a jar of roasted red peppers, basmati rice, chicken broth, cheddar cheese and heavy cream. The dish cooks up in about 30 minutes. 

Serve this rice side dish recipe with chicken, pork, beef or seafood. I served it with strawberry basil-glazed chicken thighs and a salad with homemade ranch dressing. I'm thinking of shaping the leftovers into patties and pan-frying them. Will keep ya'll posted!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 7.5 ounces (1/2 a jar) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 - 1/2 cup heavy cream (I used 1/2 cup)

Recipe Notes

• You could roast fresh red peppers and chop for this recipe. Here's how to roast peppers. 

• You could use jasmine, brown or long-grain white rice for this recipe instead of basmati, but it may affect cooking time.

• Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-packaged shredded cheese (they add an ingredient that keeps it from sticking together). So shred your own if you can.

• For some spice, add some chopped fresh jalapeno or poblano peppers.

Here's how to make it:

1. Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat. Add the garlic and peppers and cook about 2 minutes.
2. Add the rice and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, about 20 to 25 minutes or until all the liquid has absorbed.
4. Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the cheese and cream until melted, smooth and creamy.

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