Tres Quesos Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Carolina® Jasmine Rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 plum tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso blanco
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Enjoy creamy, cheesy goodness with a bit of heat in this decadent three-cheese rice dish made with Monterey Jack, queso blanco, and cotija cheese.
Step 1
In large saucepan set over medium-high heat, heat oil and butter; cook onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender.
Step 2
Stir in vegetable broth; bring to boil. Stir in rice; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat cream in small saucepan set over medium heat until just starting to simmer.
Step 4
Stir cream into rice mixture in saucepan set over very low heat; stir in Monterey Jack, queso blanco, and cotija cheese until cheese starts to melt. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Recipe Tip:
Add cooked and crumbled chorizo sausage to the rice if desired.
For the Cheese Lovers
Cheese lovers rejoice with this Mexican-inspired, creamy and delicious rice dish. This Tres Quesos or “three cheese”, Rice is made with fragrant Carolina® Jasmine Rice, a blend of Monterey Jack, queso blanco, and cotija cheese, onion, red pepper, tomatoes, and chili flakes for a bit of heat. Enjoy it for lunch or as the perfect side dish at your next Mexican dinner night with these Chicken Tinga and Rice Tacos or these Grilled Chicken Taco with Rice Salsa.
Something like a Mexican-style mac n cheese, this tasty recipe is made with three different types of cheese found in many Mexican dishes. Cojita cheese originated in the town of Cotija, Michoacán, and is used to top refried beans, tacos, and enchiladas amongst other tasty dishes. Its crumbly texture makes it perfect as a topping. Queso blanco (white cheese), or queso fresco as its sometimes called (fresh cheese), is a mild-flavored cheese that is also used as a topping in Mexican cuisine but is great for melting in the ever-popular quesadilla, too. And while Monterey Jack cheese is actually an American cheese, it’s also used in Mexican-inspired meals due to its smooth flavor.
Cheesy Variations
If you’re a cheese-aholic and just can’t get enough of the stuff, make sure to try variations of this dish featuring different types of cheese like this traditional-style Creamy Rice Mac and Cheese or this Chipotle Queso Rice for cheesy goodness with a spicy kick.
