One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Brown Rice

A dark pot filled with broccoli cheese brown rice with a spoon resting in it.

4.42 from 77 votes

This one-pot broccoli cheese brown rice is an easy, healthy, delicious side dish with veggies and whole grains! Kids love it too!

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Yield: 4 servings

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.

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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.

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.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 328kcal

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