Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice Recipe

Jasmine rice but make it CHEESY.

I took a poll on my Instagram Stories to gauge whether readers were more into the idea of a Cheesy Zucchini Rice or a Cheesy Broccoli Rice (a zucchini v. broccoli showdown, if you will). Well folks, broccoli dominated with the RESOUNDING win, which tells me two things: 1) yall loveeee you some broccoli and 2) where are my zucchini lovers at!? But that’s another soapbox for another time.

Broccoli is typically a crowd pleaser… add a little cheese to them trees and it becomes a vegetable almost everyone can endure 😉

I’ve been making a TON of cauliflower rice lately (as seen here and here) but I had a craving for the good ole fluffy stuff, so here we are. Jasmine rice is inexpensive, versatile and cooks in about 15-18 minutes in water with a pinch of salt! SO easy.

Let’s Talk Rice: Jasmine vs. Other Types

For this recipe, I used jasmine rice because it’s light, aromatic, and cooks in about 15–18 minutes on medium heat. You can also use white rice, brown rice, wild rice, or even instant rice if that’s what you have on hand. The key is to avoid overcooking it—you want fluffy rice, not mush.

If you’re using leftover rice (which I totally recommend for saving time), just warm it in a large skillet with a splash of olive oil or chicken broth to bring it back to life before folding it into the dish.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 head broccoli chopped into florets
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbs. butter or ghee
• 5 shakes Tabasco
• salt + pepper

Here’s how to make this simple, crowd-pleasing side dish:

1. Cook your rice in a saucepan with water and salt.
2. Steam your broccoli in a double boiler/steamer pot, then toss out the water used to steam.
3. Add the fluffy cooked rice to the steamer pot with the broccoli.
4. Fold in cheddar cheese, tabasco, salt + pepper!

You will need two small pots to make this recipe but it comes together in no time and requires SO. LITTLE. EFFORT. My favorite kind of recipes on weeknights!!

Oh and P.S. — this rice would truly taste just as great with grated zucchini, so don’t shy away if you voted for the zucchs in my poll 🙂 you won’t even need to cook them! Just fold the shredded zucchini into the hot steamed rice with the shredded cheddar.

Easy Add-Ins and Customizations

Want to make it a full main dish? Add:

• Shredded rotisserie chicken for an easy protein boost
• A scoop of cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup to make it creamy and casserole-like
• A sprinkle of parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for even more savory depth
• A handful of fresh herbs like parsley or chives for color and brightness

Storage Tips + Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, just warm it gently on the stove with a splash of broth or in the microwave in short bursts. This one reheats really well and makes for a cozy lunch the next day.

FAQs

This cheesy broccoli rice is one of those easy recipes you’ll keep coming back to. It’s a great way to serve a cozy rice dish using simple ingredients, and it works perfectly for busy weeknights. It’s flavorful, kid-friendly, and makes an easy dinner or one of those go-to side dishes that everyone at the table can get behind.

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