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Asparagus Rice Recipe: How to Make Asparagus Rice

Name: Asparagus Rice Recipe: How to Make Asparagus Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, or olive oil, divided; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional); 2 cups white rice; 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut to ½-inch pieces; 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth; ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated; Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 22, 2026 • 2 min read

This simple asparagus rice recipe—which calls for pantry staples like rice, garlic, butter, and Parmesan—is a quick weeknight dinner that’s sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

Learn From the Best

What Is Asparagus Rice?

Asparagus rice is a creamy rice dish consisting of long-grain white rice, sliced asparagus, butter, and other pantry staples. Asparagus infuses the side dish with notes of nuttiness and earthy undertones. The earthy taste of this bright green vegetable lends itself well to creamy grain dishes like risotto, orzo, or asparagus rice.

This easy recipe for asparagus rice calls for cooking the main ingredients in a rich, garlicky stock with Parmesan cheese for the ultimate, savory spring side dish or main.

3 Tips for Making Asparagus Rice

Home cooks of all levels will be able to make this unfussy grain dish successfully. Follow these tips to make the most of your asparagus rice:

1. Use fresh or frozen asparagus. Fresh, firm asparagus will produce the best-tasting asparagus rice, but you can easily use frozen asparagus if the veggie isn’t in season.
2. Switch up the rice. This recipe calls for white rice, but you can use any type of rice, like short- or long-grain brown rice, Jasmine rice, or Basmati rice. Make sure to adapt the cooking time depending on the type of rice you’re cooking.
3. Experiment with additions. Alter this rustic dish to incorporate different ingredients you have on hand. Add in additional cooked veggies, spices, herbs, and cheeses, based on your current pantry supply. For a lighter, more acidic dish, incorporate lemon zest and lemon juice or a splash of white wine or vinegar. Fold in fresh chopped parsley, chives, or dill for fresh herbiness. Skip the Parmesan and incorporate ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang, and scallions for an Asian-inspired meal.

Creamy Asparagus Rice Recipe

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makes

prep time

10 min

total time

30 min

cook time

20 min

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, or olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups white rice
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut to ½-inch pieces
4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

1
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
2
Add the diced onion to the melted butter and cook until the onion is tender and slightly translucent, about 2 minutes.
3
Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4
Add the rice and asparagus to the skillet and stir to combine.
5
Stirring frequently, toast the rice until the grains take on a light brown color, about 3 minutes.
6
Add the broth to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and place a lid on the pan. Cook the rice until it absorbs all of the liquid, about 10–15 minutes.
7
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the cooked rice to continue steaming for 5 minutes.
8
Remove the lid and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and Parmesan cheese.
9
Season the rice with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

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