Preheat the oven to 350 levels F (175 levels C). Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
Convey water to a boil in a big saucepan, and sprinkle in rice. Stir, cut back warmth to low, and simmer rice till it’s half-cooked about 5 minutes. Drain rice, and put aside.
Soften butter in a big skillet over medium warmth, and prepare dinner and stir onions till translucent however not browned, about 8 minutes. Combine cooked onions and butter within the skillet with rice; stir in half-and-half, salt, and 1 3/4 cup of Swiss cheese. Switch combination to the ready baking dish, and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Swiss cheese over prime.
Bake uncovered within the preheated oven till rice is tender and prime is evenly browned, about 1 hour.