Healthy Italian Rice Pudding Recipe: Stovetop Method

There’s nothing quite like this healthy Italian rice pudding made with arborio rice to evoke feelings of comfort. This stovetop recipe is a simple method and requires just a handful of ingredients, including arborio rice, which is responsible for that rich, creamy texture.

Plus, it’s egg-free for those who are avoiding eggs or have allergies. Serve this easy dessert warm or cold any time of the year!

My family has been enjoying this rice pudding recipe for over 25 years, and it’s still the crowd-pleaser it was when I first stumbled upon the recipe. 

If you’re a fan of velvety, comforting desserts that warm your soul, you’re in for a treat. Arborio rice, renowned for its creamy texture in risottos, takes center stage in this pudding, creating a luscious treat.

This creamy dessert is made without eggs or heavy cream making it a great option for those with allergies or those looking for a lighter and healthier variation that still tastes great.

As you probably know, there are various methods for preparing rice pudding, each with advantages and disadvantages.

The great thing about making this easy dessert on the stovetop is having more control over the cooking process. This allows you to better monitor the rice so that it doesn’t overcook and become mushy.

The disadvantage of stovetop rice pudding is that it takes more effort than other cooking techniques compared to a baked or slow-cooker rice pudding. The same is true if using an Instant Pot.

Which method you choose depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a hands-off approach, then oven-baked rice pudding may be the way to go. However, if you want more control over the cooking process stovetop rice pudding is better.

This article discusses how to make Italian rice pudding on the stovetop. It also includes tips and tricks for making it the best!

Are you ready to begin?

Jump to:

• Rice pudding ingredients
• How to make
• Recipe variations
• Tips
• FAQ
• Arborio rice recipes we love
• Recipe inspiration
• Recipe

Rice pudding ingredients

You will notice there are no eggs or heavy cream in the list of ingredients for this recipe. That’s because using short-grain rice like arborio, creates a rice pudding that is thick and creamy.

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this arborio rice pudding:

Arborio Rice: This Italian short-grain rice is the key to creating a creamy texture in this pudding. It’s widely available in grocery stores. This short-grain white rice is commonly used in Italian cuisine, from risotto to arancini. It has a high starch content, making the rice pudding creamy.

If you don’t have arborio rice on hand, you can use another short-grain rice, such as Carnaroli.

Milk: I use 2% milk because of its lower fat content, but you could also use whole milk for a richer pudding or almond milk for a dairy-free rice pudding.

Sugar: This rice pudding recipe is lightly sweetened with granulated sugar. Feel free to adjust the amount to your taste or use the sweetener you prefer. The total amounts used need to be tested. 

Vanilla Bean: The delicate and tiny vanilla seeds will appeal visually and taste-wise to any vanilla lover. If you don’t have a vanilla bean, replace it with a teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.

Salt: There are no hard and fast rules regarding the amount of salt you should use. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you choose to include any at all. I like to add a few pinches of salt to round out the flavors.

How to make

You’ll be surprised at how effortless it is to make this stovetop rice pudding with only a few key ingredients and one pot. 

Start by combining 4 cups of milk (2% or whole milk), ½ cup arborio rice, ¼ cup (or less according to taste) of granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt (optional) in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon, until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer the milk mixture for approximately 50 minutes, stirring occasionally every 10 minutes or so to prevent scorching. Notice the transformation of the uncooked rice to plump grains at the halfway mark.

Remove the pan from heat once you’ve reached the thick and creamy texture. Then, gently stir the scraped vanilla seeds from ½ a vanilla bean or one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

Transfer to a serving dish. If desired, serve warm or cold, with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon on top.

Recipe variations

Consider adding one (or more) of these additional ingredients for a flavor twist on this simple rice pudding:

• dried fruits such as dates, cranberries, or golden raisins
• freshly grated nutmeg
• lemon or orange zest
• fresh fruit or frozen strawberries
• stewed fruit
• macerated strawberries

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. So, go ahead and experiment to find your favorite combination!

Whether you enjoy it as is or jazz it up with some fun additions, this Italian rice pudding recipe will surely become a family favorite.

Tips

• Using 2% milk will result in a healthier version of this rice pudding compared to using either whole milk, heavy or whipped cream.
• The total amount of saturated fat is lower compared to a recipe that includes eggs, whipped or heavy cream or even whole milk as part of the ingredients.
• Be patient. Do not increase the heat, hoping this will reduce the total cooking time. Go slow and low, and you will be rewarded with a super creamy and chewy texture.
• In the beginning, constantly stir the mixture to prevent the milk and rice from scorching.
• During the last 10 minutes, stay close to your large saucepan and keep stirring every few minutes to prevent your rice pudding from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Arborio rice will provide you with the best texture.
• This homemade rice pudding will firm up once it has been chilled. It can easily be returned to its creamy state by adding a few tablespoons of milk, stirring and slightly heating the mixture.

FAQ

Arborio rice recipes we love

Arborio rice is the perfect grain for making creamy Italian risotto.

Risotto, a typical Italian dish, can be made with various vegetables. If you’re a fan of the creamy texture of arborio rice, you’ll love experimenting with different vegetables and flavors.

Consider trying our Mushroom Risotto or indulging in the freshness of Zucchini Risotto. For a vibrant and green option, check out our Asparagus Risotto or add some leafy goodness with our Spinach Risotto.

Recipe inspiration

I adapted this recipe from a Canadian publication called Homemaker Magazine Recipes a few decades ago.

In most recipes, you can usually decrease the total amount of sugar used without making a big difference in the final product.  That’s what I did for this recipe- I reduced the sugar.  I also eliminated the raisins (as my family is not fond of them) and used a vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract.

I am convinced that these tiny little vanilla seeds provide the sensation of comfort in this healthy rice pudding.  Feel free to add raisins, cranberries, or even nuts to satisfy whatever you might be craving.

This Italian rice pudding made with arborio rice is the ultimate comfort food, perfectly flavored with a vanilla bean.

Simplicity at its best!

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for the best arborio rice pudding, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

I originally published this post on November 10, 2014, and republished it on March 25, 2022, and again on January 12, 2024, with updated content.