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The Broccoli Side Worth Repeating

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Broccoli Rice is an easy side dish made with tender rice, fresh broccoli, and plenty of cheesy goodness. It comes together in one saucepan for a simple addition to any meal.

Serve it next to my juicy pork chops or paired with the best meatloaf recipe (a reader favorite!).

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Broccoli Rice

Flavor: Creamy, cheesy, and savory, this broccoli rice is loaded with tender broccoli, garlic, and plenty of cheesy flavor.
Why Make It: The broccoli cooks right alongside the rice for an easy one-pot side dish with minimal cleanup!
Freezing: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, although leftovers work great in my broccoli rice casserole or chicken and rice soup.

Cook Time: 40 Min (10 Min Prep) Serving: 8 Cooking Method: Stovetop

Ingredient Notes

butter broth rice onion broccoli cheese rice parmesan with labels to make Broccoli Rice

Chicken Broth: Adds more flavor to the rice than water. Replace with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
Long Grain White Rice: Choose regular long grain white rice as it cooks up light and fluffy. Instant or quick-cooking rice won’t work with the same liquid ratio and cook time.
Broccoli: Cut broccoli into small florets for quick, even cooking. Fresh works best, but frozen florets can be added straight to the rice with an extra minute or two of cooking time.
Half and Half: Half-and-half adds a creamy finish. Replace with milk for a lighter texture, or heavy cream to make it extra rich.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Choose a medium cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Gruyere, or white cheddar to change up the flavor.

How to Make Broccoli Rice

Keep the Lid Closed: Keeping the lid closed traps the steam and helps cook the rice evenly.
Cut Broccoli Evenly: Chop the broccoli into smaller bite-sized pieces so it becomes tender with just a few minutes of cooking.
Rest the Rice Covered: Let the rice rest before adding the final ingredients. This allows the trapped steam to finish cooking the rice and absorb the last of the liquid.
Smooth Sauce: Remove the rice from the heat before adding the cream and cheese to ensure it doesn’t overheat and split.

Leftovers You’ll Love

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth to help make it creamy again.

Cozy Family Side Dishes

Did you enjoy this Broccoli Rice Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

▢ ½ small onion finely diced
▢ 1 tablespoon butter
▢ 2 cups chicken broth
▢ 1 cup long grain white rice
▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 2 cups broccoli florets
▢ ⅓ cup half and half or light cream
▢ ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
▢ 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

In a medium saucepan, cook onion in butter over medium heat until tender.
Add broth, rice, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook 14 minutes.
Quickly add broccoli to the pot and cover. Cook it for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Remove from the heat and rest covered 5 minutes.
Fluff with fork and stir in cream and cheeses.

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Broccoli Rice in the pot and plated with a title

Recipes You’ll Love

About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
See more posts by Holly