In a medium saucepan, combine the rice with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt.
Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the water is absorbed.
Stir in the milk and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring often so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 20–25 minutes, or until the pudding thickens.
Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon. If you’re adding raisins, fold them in at this stage so they plump up in the warm pudding.
You can serve rice pudding right away while it’s warm and cozy, or let it cool slightly and chill it in the fridge for a few hours for a thicker, firmer texture.