Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice
This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice is a fast and flavorful side when you don't have time to make a classic Broccoli Cheddar Casserole.
Servings: 6 1.5 cups each
Calories: 379kcal
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice $0.74*
- 3 cups water $0.00
- 1 lb. frozen broccoli florets thawed, $2.74**
- 2 Tbsp butter $0.26
- ½ tsp salt $0.02
- ¼ tsp garlic powder $0.02
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper optional, $0.02
- black pepper freshly cracked, $0.05
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, $0.41
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded, $1.25
Instructions
- Place the rice in a large pot and add 3 cups water. Place a lid on the pot and bring it up to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After simmering for 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest without removing the lid for an additional 5 minutes. (OR use your favorite method of cooking rice -- rice cooker, Instant Pot, etc.)
- While the rice is cooking, chop the broccoli florets into tiny pieces.
- Once the rice has cooked, fluff it gently with a fork. Add the butter, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, and some freshly cracked pepper. Fold the butter and spices into the rice until fairly well combined (the butter should melt quickly in the hot rice).
- Add the chopped broccoli and gently fold it into the rice. The broccoli should bring the temperature of the rice down just to the point where it is hot/warm, but not so hot that the cheese immediately melts when stirred into the rice.
- Finally, add the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, and fold to combine again. Taste and adjust the salt or butter if needed. Serve immediately.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
*You can use any long-grain rice you like. I like jasmine rice, but it tends to be quite a bit more expensive than regular long-grain white rice. Go for long-grain white rice or whatever you already have to hand to save money.
**Fresh broccoli also works, but it must be blanched before being mixed with the rice. If using fresh broccoli, add the florets to a pot of boiling water and cook for about 3 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp-tender. You don't need to cook the frozen, thawed broccoli unless you want the texture to be much softer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 454mg | Fiber: 3g