After years of making my go-to Cheesy Rice with cauliflower, I wanted to share this version with broccoli since it is just as good. And the classic combo of broccoli and cheese is one that always goes over well in my house—well usually, anyway! With nutrients, creamy texture, and ultimate cheesiness, this one-pan dish is a great vegetarian main or an easy side dish. You can make cheesy broccoli rice ahead of time and heat it up in the moment. You can use short grain brown rice like I do, or you can use another type of rice. And there is an option to use water as the base (which is my preference) or to add more flavor by using chicken broth or Vegetable Broth. This ranks up there as one of my favorite easy toddler meals…though it’s of course delish for every age! (You may also like Broccoli Pasta Sauce, vegan Broccoli Rice, Broccoli Fritters and Creamy Broccoli Pasta.)
Ingredients You Need
Below is a look at the ingredients you need to make this cheesy broccoli rice so you know what to have on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Short grain brown rice: I prefer the taste and texture of short grain brown rice and count it as one of my pantry staples. But you will see variations in the recipe to use the kind you have on hand or prefer—including white rice and long grain rice. I know we all buy different types! Broccoli: Since we mince up broccoli to add to the rice, it’s easier to use fresh broccoli to be able to easily chop it up. If you don’t mind having larger pieces of broccoli in the rice, you can use frozen broccoli and skip the chopping. Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness to the cheesy rice, so we use it here. And then we can adjust the salt levels to our own liking. Cheddar cheese: I prefer to use cheddar cheese in this recipe but it’s super flexible so you can use another type of shredded cheese if you prefer. Garlic powder (optional): Feel free to add more flavor to this dish as you like. My go-to is garlic powder, but you can experiment.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a preview of the cheesy broccoli rice recipe process so you know what to expect. You only need one pan and much of the cooking time is hands off (so you can go about your day). TIP: I once tried a serving of this for myself with a fried egg on top and it was delish!
How to Store
Store leftover cheesy broccoli rice in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and serve warm. My favorite Freezer Containers can help if you need an easy way to store leftovers.
Serving Suggestions
We usually have this cheesy broccoli rice as a vegetarian main dish, but it can also be a side dish. Some foods that pair nicely with it include:
Salmon Nuggets Marinated Chicken Tenders Homemade Chicken Nuggets Fish Sticks Rotisserie chicken from the store Scrambled or fried eggs
Best Tips for Success
To make a version of this idea without dairy, you can replace the butter with olive oil or coconut oil and use mashed avocado instead of the cheese to help the rice hold together. To make this with a different type of rice, use the recommended cooking time and water amount on the package and add 1 cup water. To make this with frozen broccoli, skip the chopping step and add it in. The texture will not be as uniform, but it works similarly. Adults may like their portions topped with cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper, hot sauce, fried eggs, or fresh herbs such as basil or parsley. Slivers of green onion could be nice too. Swap cauliflower rice in for the broccoli if you prefer. Use sharp or mild cheddar cheese.
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