Cheesy broccoli rice is a delicious side dish that goes with just about anything. I think it’s filling enough to serve as a main dish as well. Whatever you decide you won’t be disappointed in this cheesy broccoli rice.
This rice dish comes together so quickly and it is so easy you won’t believe it. First and foremost it’s made in one pot! So right there is a reason to try it. Less clean-up is always a plus when I’m considering trying a new recipe out. Let’s talk about what you’re going to need to make it because there are only a few ingredients.
What do you need to make cheesey broccoli rice?
You’ll basically need fresh broccoli, some onion, garlic, chicken stock, rice, and cheddar cheese. Pretty simple and easy to find all of the ingredients. If you didn’t have fresh broccoli I think frozen would work as well. Vegetable broth could be used if you wanted to make it vegetarian. Any long grain rice will work here, basic white, basmati, or Jasmine. If you choose to use brown rice you’ll need to add additional broth and cooking time will increase, but it still will work. As for the cheese, I prefer the taste of sharp cheddar, but any cheese will work, pick your favorite. Also, feel free to change up the broccoli; try cauliflower or maybe asparagus.
How to make this one-pot dish:
You’re going to start with sautéing some onion and garlic until soft and translucent. Next, you’ll add the rice and get it toasty and golden brown. You’ll add the chicken broth and cook the rice for about 15 minutes until most of the broth is absorbed and then you’ll throw in the chopped broccoli to steam until fork tender. Finally, you’ll finish it off with some butter and grated sharp cheddar cheese. Top the rice with your favorite hot sauce or even salsa. I like to top mine with Siracha Hot Sauce, but if that’s not your thing skip it and enjoy it without!
Cheesy Broccoli Rice
This one-pot dish is simple and delicious. Onions and garlic are sautéed until soft and tender. The rice is added and cooked in chicken broth until almost absorbed and then the broccoli is tossed in and steamed until fork-tender and finished with butter and sharp cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
1. Warm oil over medium heat in a medium/large pot. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent for about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally to avoid browning.
2. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds stirring continuously to avoid burning.
3. Add rice. Stir to coat with oil and mix with onion and garlic. Rice will become a toasty and slightly golden brown cook for about 2 minutes.
4. Add broth and season with salt and pepper. Stir well. Turn the heat up slightly to allow the broth to come to a simmer. Then once simmering cover and reduce heat to medium-low and let rice cook and absorb most of the liquid. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes, add broccoli, stir and cover again. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until broccoli is fork-tender.
6. Remove pot from heat and let rice and broccoli sit covered for about 3 minutes.
7. Stir in butter and then add grated cheese, stir again. Taste for seasoning-add more salt and pepper if needed.
8. Serve as a side dish or main dish with your favorite hot sauce on the side.
Notes
- Any long grain rice will work in this recipe. If however, you are using brown rice, it will take longer to cook. So I would suggest adding more broth and increase the cooking time of the rice.
- Any cheese works in this recipe, I prefer the taste of the sharp cheddar cheese, but it's really just a preference.
- As for the broccoli. I have only used fresh, but I'm pretty sure frozen will work as well. If it's thawed follow the recipe as written. If the broccoli is still frozen it will take longer to cook, but not by much. Add 2-3 minutes and check to see if it's tender. If it's not continue cooking until it is.
- Feel free to change out the broccoli for another vegetable. Try Cauliflower, zucchini or even asparagus would work. Consider adding red bell pepper to the onions. Have fun with it!
- Hot sauce on the side is really a must-try! I love Siracha Hot Sauce, but my husband likes Tobasco. Salsa would also be delicious.
