Cheesy Rice and Broccoli

Indulge in the ultimate comfort dish with this Cheesy Rice and Broccoli recipe, a creamy, wholesome blend of tender white rice, steamed broccoli florets, and a rich, velvety cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe combines pantry staples like butter, milk, and all-purpose flour to create a luscious homemade cheese sauce infused with garlic powder for a subtle kick. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a one-pot cleanup, it’s an effortless, family-friendly meal that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying. Serve it warm, and don’t forget an optional sprinkling of extra cheese or paprika for a finishing touch! Ideal search terms: cheesy rice recipe, broccoli cheese dish, easy comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the white rice under cold water to remove excess starch. In a medium-sized pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the rice, lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2

While the rice cooks, steam the broccoli florets. Bring a pot of water with a steamer basket to a boil, add the broccoli, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes until tender but still vibrant green. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk to combine, cooking for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Cook the sauce for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, one handful at a time, until fully melted and smooth. Mix in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Add the cooked rice and steamed broccoli to the cheese sauce. Stir well to evenly coat the rice and broccoli with the cheesy mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.

Step 7

Serve warm and enjoy your cheesy rice and broccoli! Optionally, garnish with extra shredded cheese or a sprinkle of paprika for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1493.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1390.0

Total Fat 85.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 53.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 278.7mg	0%
Sodium 2645.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.8g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 70.2g	0%

Vitamin D 201.5IU	0%
Calcium 1843.8mg	0%
Iron 4.9mg	0%
Potassium 848.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.8%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 26.5%