This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. This Easy Cheesy Broccoli rice is what I make when I’m too impatient to make a full blown Broccoli Cheddar Easy broccoli cheese soup. This is what I make when I need food like, yesterday. This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice is a fast and flavorful side when you don’t have time to make a classic Broccoli Cheddar Casserole.
What Type of Rice Can Be Used in Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice? If you want more flavor, try cooking your rice in chicken broth and reduce the added salt later in the recipe. Make it a Meal Want to make it a meal? Add some shredded rotisserie chicken or a soft boiled egg. You can even combine 3-4 cups of this rice with a whisked egg, shape it into cakes, and fry them up in a skillet.
There are just SO MANY things you can do with this recipe. But me, I like to just eat a big bowl of it and call it a day because I’m all about simple food. But I might put a fried egg on top because that’s how I roll. 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. Add the chopped broccoli and gently fold it into the rice.
Finally, add the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, and fold to combine again. Taste and adjust the salt or butter if needed. See how we calculate recipe costs here. I used jasmine rice because that’s what I had on hand, which tends to be quite a bit more expensive than regular long grain white rice. I like to do it in a pot on the stovetop.