Cheesy Broccoli Rice

5 from 8 votes

Transform five simple ingredients into the yummiest one-pan dish with this Cheesy Broccoli Rice recipe. It works as a vegetarian main dish or as a side dish.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 187kcal

Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

1½ cups short grain brown rice
2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place 5 cups water in a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat, covering partially. (Covering partially traps some of the heat in to speed up cooking, but allows some steam out of the pan to prevent overboiling.) Add the rice and cook for about 20 minutes, or until mostly tender and some of the liquid remains.
Add the broccoli, stir, and cover. Cook for 6-8 more minutes until the broccoli is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the butter, cheese, salt, and garlic powder, if using.
Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to freeze in a freezer container or tray in individual portions. I place a frozen portion into a heat-safe bowl, cover with a plate, and warm in 30 second increments in the microwave until warmed through. Stir each time you stop for even heating.
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 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 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.

Nutrition