If you love homemade Rice Pudding then you’ll love this easy stovetop rice pudding recipe – it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked rice!
Okay ladies (and gents, too) today I am sharing with you the most frugal dessert recipe you will ever find. This homemade rice pudding is as easy as it is delicious. We do our budget monthly, and it seems like almost every month by the last week I am completely out of money and we are eating out of the pantry. When this happens, sometimes on the weekend or date night or whatever, I will try to make a treat to liven up the party!
Easy Rice Pudding
I love this recipe because I can almost guarantee that I will always have everything I need on hand, and the whole family loves it – even our pickiest kids! If you need a quick and easy rice pudding recipe, look no further, I guarantee you can’t beat this one!
If you like this recipe you might also like our easy chocolate rice pudding, or our four ingredient saltine toffee! Or you can find all our yummy dessert recipes here!
Rice Pudding Recipe
To tell you the truth, I like this recipe way better than store bought or restaurant varieties! Let’s jump right in by answering some of your most frequently asked questions!
How to Make Rice Pudding
Making rice pudding from home is so easy! All you need is fifteen minutes and a few ingredients! Oh, and did I mention only one pan?!
Top Left – If you aren’t using leftover rice, cook your rice and add it to a medium sized pot.
Top Right – Add in your milk, sugar, butter, vanilla and cinnamon and stir to combine.
Bottom Left – Bring to a soft boil and stir constantly (to prevent burning). Cook for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until mixture is thickened.
Bottom Right – Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with more cinnamon, if desired.
It’s that easy!
Can you make this recipe with cooked rice?
I have been shocked how many people have asked me if you can make rice pudding with cooked rice, and the answer is an absolute YES! Using cooked rice eliminates waste by utilizing leftovers and eliminates valuable time you would spend slaving over a hot stove!
We typically make this with rice leftover from a previous dinner that week, like our slow cooker Tikka Masala or our Homemade Fried Rice.
Which kind of rice is best?
I typically use regular long grain white rice because that is what I usually have on hand. That being said I have also used basmati, jasmine, arborio, and sushi rice and they all work super well! The only kind I use that I don’t prefer for this recipe is brown rice or wild rice.
Do you eat rice pudding warm or cold?
It is honestly delicious served warm or cold! Right after we make it, we eat some warm. Then, the next day, we eat the leftovers straight from the fridge!
If you try this recipe and like it, we would love for you to leave us a positive rating and review! They mean so much to us!
Easy Rice Pudding With Cooked Rice
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups milk
- 3 TBS butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Dump all of your ingredients into a sauce pan and mix together over medium low heat.
- Bring to a soft boil and stir constantly (to prevent burning). Cook for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until mixture is thickened. Let rice pudding cool a bit before serving.
I had a bowl of rice leftover from a meal. I measured out 4 cups of cooked rice so I doubled the recipe ingredients you gave. It turned out very nice!
So glad you liked it Angela! You’re smart to double it. I can never get enough!
I used leftover Chinese takeout rice – it turned out delicious!! I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on top. What a great recipe! Thank you!
Oh that is genius! So glad you loved it!!! Thanks Margaret!
I just made this and my partner and I are foodgasming. It’s F-ing delicious. I did make some slight edits, I used 2 Tbsn of maple syrup instead of sugar and I used half cows milk, half Almond/Coconut milk.
I generally don’t do any cooking/baking/kitchen domain stuff because I am generally too lazy so this is fast and amazing, it got me hooked.
I’ve already pinned the recipe to the fridge.
Oh my gosh Makensi you totally made my day! I’m glad you loved it as much as we do! Thanks for coming back to let us know! Also, your edits sound fantastic.
I had some left over rice from dinner and wanted something sweet. This was a PERECT choice. My boyfriend doesn’t care for rice pudding, but he loved it! So simple and good!
REALLY GOOD!!! My first time making rice pudding I used long-grain rice and it was terrible! With this recipe, I made a few adjustments. We drink 1% milk so for extra creaminess, I used 1 1/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup half & half, 1/4 cup heavy cream. The rice was a cheap, so it was a little softer and stickier. Came out GREAT! (That does increase the fat and calories)
Yum that sounds delicious! Thanks Joan!
Is it supposed to come out kind of clumpy? Mine isn’t very pudding-like…though to be fair, I am brand-new to cooking, so I very well could have f-ed it up LOL
I prefer an egg yolk whipped through when milk absorbed take off element then fold thru stiff beaten egg white. Let set. My girls loved it. Much better than on oven and quicker.
Egg, me to but I tripled the sugar, Cinnamon,and vanilla. It was awesome. Guess it’s just preference tho.
Can it be made using coconut milk or almond milk? Most of my family can’t tolerate dairy but I really want to make this
I’ve never tried it that way, but I think the best thing to do is try it with your favorite almond milk and see! We’d love to hear how it goes if you do! :)
I tried it with almond milk and it worked great!
Yay! That is so great to hear!
I love raisins, how much can I add to the rum recipe?
I made this tonight just To try it before I make a big batch. I’ve never made rice pudding before. It turned out so So good.
How big are your servings when you SAY it serves 8? I need To feed 30. BUt I know I won’t give each person a lot. I’m putting it in little cups. Would tripling it be good?
Yes, I think that should be plenty!! I’m so glad you loved it! Let us know how it goes!
Best rice pudding ever!!!
Yay! SO glad you loved it!
This homemade version is so good! Never buying store bought again!
So glad you’re with me! Thanks Sabrina!
Looks so perfect! Definitely a must try!
I love rice pudding but I just don’t make it that often. Thanks for showing a great simple recipe, time to start making this more!
You are so welcome! Thanks Billy!
Rice pudding is perfect for those cool nights! The hint of cinnamon makes it’s so comforting!
Yes! It is my favorite in the winter months! Thanks Kristyn!
I love rice pudding and had no idea how easy it is to make. I will be making this soon. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories.
Aw yay! I’m so glad! You’ll love it :)
My mom is a big fan of rice pudding! I’ll have to make this treat for her soon! thanks for the recipe
You are so welcome!
This is a perfect rice pudding recipe when you need a recipe with no eggs. So creamy and delicious!
So true! Thank you Kara!
I’ve always wanted to make rice pudding. Totally pinning this!
Yay! It is so easy and yummy, you’ll love it!
The directions are all over the page with different ads. They were easy to follow up until recently.
I am goIn to tRy but i have one question is it really cReamy i dint want watery pudding
Yes it’s definitely NOT watery!