Italian (Arborio) Rice Pudding

A very rich, smooth, and creamy rice pudding with a hint of lemon. Pudding will thicken as it cools, but it's best served at room temperature or slightly warm.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 319 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 (1 1/2 inch) piece lemon peel, or more to taste
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon, for garnish

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan; add rice, butter, and salt. Place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook rice at a simmer until the rice is tender and the moisture is mostly absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Step 2

Stir half-and-half and sugar into the rice until the sugar dissolves; add cinnamon stick and lemon peel. Bring the mixture to a boil and remove from heat.

Step 3

Place a large stainless steel bowl atop a pot of simmering water. Pour the rice mixture into the top of the double boiler and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Pour rice pudding into a serving dish. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and lemon peel from pudding; let cool slightly before garnishing with cinnamon to serve.