Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Comfort Food / International
There are days when a simple bowl of rice is exactly what you want, but sometimes plain rice needs a little upgrade. This Creamy Mushroom Garlic Rice does exactly that.
Tender rice is cooked with earthy mushrooms, fragrant garlic, a creamy sauce, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. The result is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor without requiring complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen.
It works beautifully as a satisfying vegetarian main course or as a side dish alongside grilled vegetables, chicken, or tofu. The best part is that the creamy texture comes together in one pan, making cleanup much easier too.
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Garlic Rice
- 1½ cups long-grain rice, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 250 g mushrooms, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup milk or cooking cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Optional Additions
- Red chili flakes
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Spinach
- Peas
- Roasted garlic
- Fresh thyme
- A squeeze of lemon juice
How to Make Creamy Mushroom Garlic Rice
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear.
This helps remove excess surface starch and keeps the grains from becoming too sticky.
Set the rice aside while you prepare the mushrooms.
Step 2: Cook the Mushrooms
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large deep pan over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced mushrooms in a single layer.
Let them cook for a few minutes without stirring too much. This gives them time to develop a beautiful golden-brown color.
Once browned, stir and continue cooking until the mushrooms are tender.
Remove about one-third of the mushrooms and set them aside for topping later.
Step 3: Add the Onion and Garlic
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter, followed by the chopped onion.
Cook for around 3 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly become bitter.
Step 4: Add the Rice
Add the rinsed rice to the pan.
Stir for about 1 minute, allowing the rice to absorb the buttery garlic and mushroom flavors.
This simple step gives the finished dish a much deeper flavor.
Step 5: Add the Broth and Seasoning
Pour in the vegetable broth.
Add:
- Dried thyme
- Black pepper
- Salt
Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pan with a lid and cook for approximately 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 6: Make It Creamy
Once the rice is cooked, reduce the heat to very low.
Pour in the milk or cooking cream.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and gently stir until everything becomes creamy and well combined.
If the rice seems too thick, add a small splash of warm vegetable broth or milk.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Stir in the fresh parsley.
Top the rice with the reserved golden mushrooms.
Finish with extra Parmesan, freshly ground black pepper, and chili flakes if you enjoy a little heat.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Watch the video recipe here: