Description
This Easy Broccoli Cheese Rice Recipe is a delicious, comforting one-pot meal combining tender broccoli florets, fluffy white rice, and creamy melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty side dish, this recipe uses simple ingredients and minimal prep to deliver a savory dish bursting with flavor and creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth & Seasonings
- 3 cups broth, chicken or vegetable
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped pretty small
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Splash of half and half, optional
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil broth and seasonings: In a medium saucepan with a lid, bring together the broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add rice and broccoli: Stir in the white rice and chopped broccoli, return the mixture to a boil, then cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer until cooked: Let the rice and broccoli simmer gently for 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the broccoli is tender. Some broth may remain—this is fine.
- Mix in cheese and cream: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted, then add a splash of half and half if you prefer a creamier texture.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish, then add additional salt and freshly ground pepper as needed to suit your preference. Serve warm.
Notes
- Check the sodium content of your broth. If using low sodium broth, you might need to add more salt at the end.
- The type of cheddar cheese affects the saltiness, so tasting after adding cheese is important.
- Brown rice cannot be used as a substitute because it requires nearly double the cooking time and likely more broth; this recipe has not been tested with brown rice.
Keywords: broccoli cheese rice, easy rice recipe, cheddar broccoli rice, one pot rice dish, creamy broccoli rice