This warm and cheesy one-pot broccoli cheese brown rice is an easy, healthy, delicious side dish with both veggies and whole grains! Kids love it too!
As you probably know by now, I’m a brown rice gal, through and through.
Sure, it takes a little bit longer to cook, but it’s just as easy as white rice. (See this post on perfect brown rice if you’re scared of it like many friends I know.)
Brown rice recipes just have much more of a robust flavor.
And, also, please give me whole grains any day. Maybe that’s the health and nutrition editor in me talking.
And this broccoli cheese brown rice really kicks things up a notch.
You’ve got the classic broccoli cheese combination, folded into some fluffy brown rice until everything is completely combined and melted together in delicious harmony.
Warm, gooey, completely wholesome and absolutely irresistible.
Plus, this is an easy one-pot side dish that I can whip up while I’ve got some chicken or pork going and voila, dinner is done.
Looking for other healthy brown rice recipes? You might love this brown rice with spinach and Parmesan or a different version of today's recipe with this easy cheesy zucchini brown rice.
Now, I’ve got some notes and tips coming up for this cheesy broccoli rice recipe. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Recipe Notes:
- Onion: I like having the sautéed onions mixed into this, but you could skip that part if you are onion averse.
- Garlic: You could skip the garlic too really, but I think it adds good flavor and it's not very much.
- Cheese: We always use a sharp shredded cheddar cheese for this broccoli and rice recipe. I prefer white cheddar cheese, but use your favorite. You could even try this with shredded mozzarella cheese if you'd like.
- Rice: Finally, while I make my broccoli and cheese rice with a long grain brown rice, you could do this with regular white rice too. You'll just need to adjust the cooking time. I'd recommend adding the chopped broccoli after about 12 minutes.
This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free as is.
If you need to make it vegan, just substitute the butter with olive oil and use a vegan shredded cheese.
(Technically, you could make this a broccoli and rice recipe and skip the cheese all together. But I sure do like it with the cheesy add!)
This cheddar broccoli rice goes well with so many dishes.
We’ve enjoyed it with paprika chicken, easy crunchy baked chicken, Ranch seasoned pork chops and crunchy baked pork chops. All good options!
Last thing, let's talk about what to do with any leftovers.
Leftover rice, once cooled, can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.
I hope you give this cheesy broccoli rice a try for a new fun side dish!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or you can sub olive oil)
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup brown rice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium head of broccoli, florets only, finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and saute an additional 30 seconds.
- Add brown rice and stir to coat the rice in the butter and onions for about 1 minute.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt and the water and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook the brown rice for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, add the chopped broccoli to the pot (right on top of the rice; no need to stir it in yet).
- Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then turn off heat and let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove lid and stir broccoli into the rice. Add the cheddar cheese and stir to get everything well mixed and let the cheese melt.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with extra cheddar cheese sprinkled on top.
Kate @ Framed Cooks
I love brown rice! And with broccoli and cheese mixed in, I don't think I will need anything other than a big bowl of this and a spoon for a perfect supper. 🙂
Kathryn
Brown rice is definitely the way to go 🙂 And yes, it's especially irresistible with this combo mixed in!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
I'm with you -- brown rice all the way! This sounds a lot like something my mom made when I was a kid. I always loved broccoli, and smother anything in cheddar cheese and it gets about a billion times more delicious. I am totally going to do this the next time I cook up some rice!
P.S. Yay for a working oven!!!
Kathryn
Broccoli and cheese was one of my favorite combos when I was little! And yes, so thankful to have an oven again!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
Just made this as a side for dinner last night -- deeeelish!
Kathryn
Awesome - so glad you liked it Willow! 🙂
karrie@TastyEverAfter
I can see how this would be a wonderfully yummy side dish but I would eat it all by itself as dinner! Truth be told, I'm happy your oven situation is resolved but also a little jealous because I was just notified that the backorder on my dishwasher was extended by another week! Won't be getting it until after March 3rd, if I'm lucky. Can you please say a little prayer over there for me? #foodbloggerproblems 🙂
Kathryn
Another week?! Nooooo! I'm sorry Karrie - that stinks. I hope when it arrives, it's ready to do some serious overtime. 😉
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Broccoli and cheese rice was one of my faaaavorites growing up!! Ohh, memories! I haven't had it in ages, so I love that you revamped it with brown rice! That's more in tune with what my old body needs- whole grains. 😉 While I know this would he great with chicken, I could totally eat this on its own for dinner. Me and a vat of this cheesy rice = heaven! Yay to the oven, girlfriend! Super excited it is safely installed. Now go bake me some cookies. 😉 I kid. Kinda. Cheers, doll!
Kathryn
Such a classic, right?! And you know I had to go whole grain 😉 Cookies coming right up!
CakePants
Oh gosh...if this were on the menu at my house, I'm afraid I would fill up on it and forget about the main dish! I love cheesy rice dishes, and the fact that this one has vegetables, too?! YUM.
Kathryn
Cheesy rice is the best, right? And yes, this can absolutely stand on its own as a meal - been there, done that 😉
Helen Fern
Thanks for sharing on the "What's for Dinner" linky! This looks delicious!
Kathryn
Thanks Helen!
@Dayngr
This is my idea of heaven in a pot! YUM!
Kathryn
Thanks! Me too 🙂
Winnie
It's a fantastic dish !!
My husband and I love broccoli and I also have all the ingredients at home.
I'm a vegetarian and it's perfect dish for me - so I need to try it 🙂
Kathryn
I love broccoli, too! I hope you give this a try Winnie and let me know what you think!
Carlee
This looks perfect! I love using brown rice and my little guy is in love with both cheese and broccoli. I am pinning to make soon! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!
Kathryn
Such a great combination, right? One of my favorites when I was little, too! Thanks for stopping by Carlee!
Frugal Hausfrau
I seem to recall back in the day that this is not only a great family recipe but always went over well at potlucks! I'm almost craving it now!
Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday~
Mollie
Kathryn
How can you resist, right?! Thanks Mollie!
Holly Hayes
I found your recipe via Pinterest and I am so glad I did! I had everything needed so I tried it tonight for dinner and it was a success! The adults loved it. The kids loved it. Thank you for sharing!
Kathryn
I'm so happy to hear that Holly! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Love the one pot meal! So easy!
Kathryn
Yes, such a great one for busy nights!
ankit kumar
I tried this brown rice recipe and it tastes just awesome. I also recommend everyone to try this recipe at least one time you will love this recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Kathryn
I'm so, so happy to hear you enjoyed this! It's definitely one of our go-to side dishes! 😊
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats
I still have broccoli coming out of my garden, so this is a perfect way to use some of it up! We love rice around here - great recipe!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Ally! Hope you enjoy it!
Michelle
There's no way this rice will cook in 25 minutes on low! Had to crank it up to medium. Also, one cup equals 4 servings...don't think so. Hopefully it's at least tasty, waiting on it to finish cooking now...
Kathryn
Hi Michelle, The rice is dry cooked for a minute, cooked covered for 25 minutes plus an additional 5 minutes once the broccoli is added. It then sits covered for 5-10 and mine is always fluffy and tender after that. The serving size for rice is 1/4 cup per person, per my package of dry rice that I buy, but I often do more so feel free to increase if you want more!
Krueger
Is this really cheddar cheese in this recipe? The pictures look like it might be Monterey Jack or Mozzarella because it's white. Just making sure because I wanna get the recipe right. Thanks!
Kathryn
Hi, yes, it's a white cheddar cheese, which is what I always use. It's the same taste as regular cheddar, but doesn't have the color additives. You can use whatever kind of cheddar you prefer. Hope that helps and hope you enjoy the recipe!
Samantha
I think this is a great dish in theory for me. I did not have the best of luck and had to have my boyfriend jump in and fix it for me. I had the rice at a simmer and then put the lid on. I left the lid on for the directed 25 min and added the broccoli for the 5 min and then turned the heat off and left the lid on for 10 min. I then took the lid off and discovered that the rice and broccoli were still crunchy. Not sure I will try a rice recipe again.
Kathryn
I'm sorry you had trouble with the rice! I make brown rice 2-3 times a week and it's always a 2:1 water:rice ratio and cooks in 30 minutes. Maybe it was heat/stove setting or something? Not sure, but I hope you don't give up on it!
Bonnie
This is a great recipe: brown rice, onion, broccoli, cheddar cheese and a little olive oil. I’m trying to eat more vegetarian meals. This his the spot! Whole grains and no lactose! It will be easy for me to digest. I’m still learning how to cook Brown Rice. Your directions made it easy. And I LOVE that it only used one pot! Thanks!
Kathryn
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it Bonnie! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊
Robert
Ok so I substituted organic unsalted chicken stock for the water and added organic chicken and apple wood bacon used some regular velveeta cheese and a little jalapeno velveeta and some cheddar cheese
Robert
Ok so I substituted organic unsalted chicken stock for the water and added organic chicken and apple wood bacon used some regular velveeta cheese and some cheddar cheese ....this was amazing.
Kathryn
I'm so glad you liked it! Love the bacon addition!
Stephanie
Is it instant brown rice?
Kathryn
Nope, it's regular brown rice (that's why it cooks for 30 minutes and then sits, to get it cooked through). Hope that helps!
Dr. J
Three words: A-maz-ing! I've been hankering for broccoli-cheese rice, and this one scratched the itch. I used plant-based cheese and added vegetable bouillon granules to the water for a flavor boost. The dish was creamy, delicious comfort food that my wife and I both loved. We'll be making this again.
Kathryn Doherty
I'm so happy to hear you loved it! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊
Ouch Mozzarella
I made something similar to this with mozzarella and I lost a crown!
Don't make with mozzarella!