Easy Italian Arborio Rice Pudding

Name: Easy Italian Arborio Rice Pudding
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 1/4 cup Whole milk; 3/4 cup Arborio rice (uncooked); 1/2 cup Granulated sugar; 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter; 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract; pinch of kosher salt; Ground cinnamon for topping; 2 tbsp candied orange peel (finely diced)

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This is for anyone who loves a super creamy rice pudding! This Italian stovetop rice pudding is made with arborio rice, simple ingredients and ready in no time. It makes the perfect last minute dessert or sweet treat for your family and it is perfect in any season.

Italian rice pudding made with arborio rice in a bowl with cinnamon on top and a spoon.

The inspiration for this Italian rice pudding comes from my Italian grandmother who made this for us (her grandkids) whenever we visited her.

Her version had eggs but I prefer it without and find that they are not necessary to make a creamy rice pudding. She also added candied fruit to the pudding which I now only do for the holidays (more on that below!) I think she would be proud of my version.

When I am looking for comforting Italian desserts, this arborio rice pudding, my Italian lemon ricotta cake, Italian panna cotta, creamy Italian hot chocolate, and my Italian brownies are what I turn to!

This makes a great dessert to entertain with at the holidays but it is easy enough to make during the week.

Ingredients

The ingredients are very simple. Here is what you will need:

Arborio rice. You can find this in any grocery store. It is an Italian short-grain rice. If you have made my pancetta risotto, it is the same rice this recipe uses.
Whole milk. Using whole milk is the key to a really creamy rice pudding.
Unsalted butter.
Granulated sugar.
Vanilla extract. You can also use a vanilla bean that you scrape the vanilla out of the pod or vanilla paste.
Cinnamon

Optional Special Occasion Elegant Topping

Candied orange peel: This is for topping the rice pudding and it is finely diced adding such a wonderful elegant touch to the rice pudding. I make it this way during the holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc). If you don't like orange, just leave it off. You can find this online or in most grocery stores in the specialty food section.

How To Make Arborio Rice Pudding

When you make this, you only need one pot and a spoon to make it over the stovetop. The key is stirring every few minutes to get that creamy texture that everyone loves. The full recipe is below but here is what it looks like so you now what to look for when making it.

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan.

how to know when rice pudding is done cooking by seeing how it coats the back of spoon

Cook while stirring often for about 20 minutes until thick and sticks to spoon.

Add All of the ingredients to a medium saucepan: Add the arborio rice, milk, butter, sugar, and salt to a saucepan and bring to a boil the reduce then heat to a gentle simmer. It doesn't take long to make, just about 20 minutes.
Stir Often: While the rice is simmering, you will want to make sure to stir it well and often (especially at the end) so the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
Test doneness with the back of a spoon: After about 20 minutes of gently simmering, give the rice pudding a good stir then run your finger along the back of the spoon. If you see that the line you made is still there, it is done! You can see what this looks like from my picture above.

The reason this is so creamy is because of the arborio rice which is nice and starchy. If you have had risotto, it is the same idea as that. The arborio rice used to make this Italian rice pudding will have a nice chew to it as well, which I really love.

Tips: To make sure you have really creamy rice pudding, only cook it until it coats the back of the spoon and the rice is tender. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools. If you are a fan of raisins, by all means, go ahead and add it at the end of cooking.

Recipe Tips

Serving the rice pudding: Traditionally, this is served cold but you can certainly serve this warm too. This is just a matter of preference. If you do want to serve this warm, allow it to cool for a few minutes after coming off the stovetop.
Containers for the pudding: I also like to serve this Italian-style rice pudding in individual ramekins. I like doing this with my cinnamon panna cotta and whipped chocolate ricotta as well. You can also pour the rice pudding into one large container and scoop it out into individual bowls when serving.
Add cinnamon: Don't forget to top it with a little cinnamon before eating!

FAQS

Is arborio rice the same as pudding rice?

Yes. Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice and very starchy making it a great rice to use in rice pudding.

Is Italian rice pudding served warm or cold?

Italian rice pudding can be served either warm (right after cooking) or cold depending on your preference.

Why is my rice pudding thick?

If your rice pudding is too thick, it is most likely caused by cooking it for too long. Rice pudding thickens as it cools so remove it from the heat as soon as you see it coat the back of a spoon.

Substitutions And Variations

Using another type of rice: If you do not have arborio rice, you can certainly use any short-grain rice for this recipe like carnaroli rice, sushi rice or a traditional short grain rice. I do recommend trying it out with arborio rice if you can.
Add raisins: If you like raisins, you can add those to the recipe at the end. Just make sure you soak the raisins in some warm water for about 20 minutes and drain them before adding.
Make it lighter: Lighten it up by using a lower fat milk like 2% milk. The only caveat with this is the rice pudding will not be as creamy.
Add more creaminess! If you like your rice pudding extra creamy, stir in some mascarpone or even a little condensed milk after cooking (before serving) and while the pudding is still warm.

Storing

I find that this is best stored in the fridge for no more than 2-3 days. When storing rice pudding in the fridge, it is a good idea to place plastic wrap over it, making sure it touches the pudding so a skin does not form on the top.

Italian rice pudding made with arborio rice in a bowl with a closeup view to show the creaminess of the rice pudding.

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