Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place milk, rice, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.
Place mixture in a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish, cover with lid and bake for 45 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes and after the 30 minutes.
Stir in vanilla and continue to bake until rice is tender, approx. 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Serve warm or cold.
Optional: add egg yolk for a richer rice pudding by tempering the egg yolk with some of the mixture before beginning boiling stage, and add back in, stirring to combine.
