This Cheesy Garlic Spinach Rice is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, flavorful, and bursting with the richness of cheese and fresh garlic. It’s the perfect blend of wholesome rice, tender spinach, and a luscious cheesy sauce that comes together effortlessly. Whether served as a side or enjoyed as a hearty vegetarian main, this dish is both satisfying and easy to make, ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll fall in love with this Cheesy Garlic Spinach Rice Recipe because it’s creamy, simple, and full of flavor. The warm garlic aroma, melted cheese, and tender spinach come together in perfect harmony for a dish that feels indulgent yet wholesome. It’s naturally customizable — use your favorite cheese, dairy-free alternatives, or swap in different greens for variety. Best of all, it’s made with minimal ingredients, cooks in one pan, and delivers big flavor every time.
Cheesy Garlic Spinach Rice
There’s something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of cheesy rice — and this Cheesy Garlic Spinach Rice takes that comfort to another level. It combines simple, pantry-friendly ingredients with vibrant flavor and creamy texture, creating a dish that’s as satisfying as it is nourishing.
The star of this recipe is the beautiful balance between garlic, spinach, and melted cheese. The garlic infuses every grain of rice with deep, savory aroma, while the spinach adds freshness and color. The cheese brings everything together into a creamy, cohesive blend that feels indulgent without being heavy.
Unlike many rice dishes that rely on cream or butter, this version uses a light milk base thickened with just a touch of flour — resulting in a rich yet silky sauce that clings to every bite of rice. It’s comfort food done right: flavorful, hearty, and not overly rich.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or even meal prep, this Cheesy Spinach Rice stands beautifully on its own or pairs wonderfully with chicken, grilled fish, or roasted vegetables. It’s a recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a dish that feels special, with every spoonful delivering warmth and satisfaction.
This recipe also gives you flexibility — you can make it fully plant-based with dairy-free cheese and milk or go classic with mozzarella and Parmesan. Either way, the result is a creamy, garlicky masterpiece that everyone at the table will love.
So next time you’re craving comfort with a healthy twist, skip the plain rice and elevate it with this deliciously cheesy, garlicky, and nutrient-rich creation.
Servings & Time
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup short grain brown rice, cooked
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella or dairy-free cheese
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2/3 cup milk (regular or dairy-free)
1 tablespoon all-purpose or gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Cook the rice: Prepare the brown rice according to package directions and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Make the sauce: Sprinkle flour over the onion-garlic mixture and stir for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder, adjusting seasoning to taste.
Add spinach: Stir in the thawed spinach and cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice and toss until fully coated in the creamy sauce.
Melt the cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese and continue to cook until melted and creamy.
Remove from heat and let rest for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Serve warm, topped with extra cheese or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
Use leftover rice for a quicker version.
For extra flavor, mix in Parmesan or cheddar.
Add red pepper flakes for a touch of spice.
Make it vegan with plant-based cheese and milk.
Cheesy Garlic Spinach Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup short grain brown rice cooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or dairy-free cheese
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained
- 2/3 cup milk regular or dairy-free
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Prepare the brown rice according to package directions and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make the sauce: Sprinkle flour over the onion-garlic mixture and stir for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Add spinach: Stir in the thawed spinach and cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
- Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice and toss until fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Melt the cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese and continue to cook until melted and creamy.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Serve warm, topped with extra cheese or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Use leftover rice for a quicker version.
- For extra flavor, mix in Parmesan or cheddar.
- Add red pepper flakes for a touch of spice.
- Make it vegan with plant-based cheese and milk.
