Recipe Collection: Broccoli-Cheese Rice

Written by Kate Tietje and updated by Sarena-Rae Santos in December of 2023. 

Back in the day, I used to love that boxed broccoli-cheese rice mix.  I would make it and eat it as a meal.  Of course, I don’t buy it anymore.  But I still love the concept.

Why not make it at home — from real food?

This can be a fast lunch if you make it ahead of time.  Pair it with some baked chicken and a salad, and you’re good to go.  Even if you don’t make it ahead, it’s still not bad — most of the time is “ignoring” anyway.  And it’s pretty yummy.  I made it with the chicken, then ignored the chicken in favor of the rice. 🙂

Broccoli-Cheese Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 cup brown rice (soaked, if desired)
• 2 cups chicken stock or broth
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half

Directions:

This is simple, but it takes awhile because the rice takes time to cook — it’s just a lot of wait time!  Expect this to take a good 45 minutes due to the rice cooking.  If you choose to use white basmati rice instead, it will cut the cooking time by about half.  I typically use brown.

Step 1: In a medium frying pan, saute the onions over medium-high heat until soft.

Step 2: Add the rice and lightly saute for 2 – 3 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 3: Add the chicken stock, stir, and cover.  Add sea salt to taste, or about 1/2 tsp.  (you can add more later if needed).  This will cook with occasional stirring for about 30 – 40 minutes until the rice is almost done.  It should look “puffy,” and the grains should split open.

Step 4: When the rice is almost cooked, stir in the chopped broccoli florets.

Step 5: Add the cheese and the cream (or half and half).

Step 6: Stir this together, and allow the cheese to melt — just a minute or two.  That’s it!  Now you serve. 🙂

Broccoli-Cheese Rice

Deliciously creamy broccoli-cheese rice made from real food ingredients. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup onion minced
• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half

Instructions

 

• In a medium frying pan, saute the onions over medium-high heat until soft.
• Add the rice, and lightly saute for 2 – 3 minutes, until golden brown.
• Add the chicken stock, stir, and cover. Add sea salt to taste, or about 1/2 tsp. (you can add more later if needed). This will cook with occasional stirring for about 30 – 40 minutes until the rice is almost done. It should look “puffy,” and the grains should split open.
• When the rice is almost cooked, stir in the chopped broccoli florets.
• Add the cheese and the cream (or half and half).
• Stir this together, and allow the cheese to melt — just a minute or two. 

What’s your favorite main course to serve with broccoli-cheese rice?