Heart Healthy Stovetop Cinnamon Rice Pudding with Arborio Rice
A creamy, comforting rice pudding made with nonfat milk and arborio rice for natural thickness without heavy cream. Infused with warming cinnamon stick and bright lemon zest, this lighter version delivers classic comfort food satisfaction. Perfect for health-conscious dessert lovers or anyone seeking a wholesome treat that doesn't sacrifice flavor for nutrition.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups nonfat milk2% milk1:1vegetarian
richer flavor and texture
- ½ cup arborio rice, uncooked
- 1 cup nonfat milk2% milk1:1vegetarian
richer flavor and texture
- 1 cinnamon stick, about 3 inches long
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 1
Stir together milk and rice in large heavy bottomed saucepan
- 2
Bring to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally
- 3
Reduce heat to medium high and boil until mixture begins to thicken, stirring occasionally
- 4
Stir in remaining milk, cinnamon stick, sugar and lemon zest
- 5
Increase heat to high and return to boil, stirring occasionally
- 6
Reduce heat to medium high and boil until creamy and soupy
- 7
Remove from heat
- 8
Stir in vanilla and let stand to thicken somewhat
- 9
Remove cinnamon stick before serving
- 10
Sprinkle individual dishes with ground cinnamon
Tips
Use heavy bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching during the extended cooking process
Stir occasionally but consistently to prevent rice from sticking to bottom of pan
Let pudding stand full 30 minutes for proper thickening before serving
Good to Know
refrigerate up to 3 days in covered container
make day ahead for flavors to meld
warm or chilled in individual bowls
Common Mistakes
use heavy bottomed pan to avoid scorching
stir regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
richer flavor and texture
FAQ
Can I use regular white rice instead of arborio?
Yes, but arborio rice creates the signature creamy texture due to its higher starch content. Regular rice will work but may be less thick.
How long does this keep in the refrigerator?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pudding will thicken more as it chills, so you may want to thin with milk when reheating.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Substitute plant-based milk like oat or coconut milk. Coconut milk will create richer texture while oat milk maintains lighter consistency similar to nonfat dairy milk.