I had recently seen a recipe for a cheese and broccoli soup that had been on my mind. I had some broccoli in the fridge and I was trying to come up with a way to turn it into a side dish for my maple and mustard glazed chicken dinner. Then I thought about a cheesy broccoli rice which sounded good. There were several ways that I could approach a cheesy broccoli rice and I decided keep it simple and I went with mixing some cooked rice into a bechamel sauce along with some gruyere and parmigiano reggiano cheeses. I was also thinking that a risotto would be nice and creamy and good but a bit more work. As another alternative I was thinking that cheddar cheese would have been good, though it will have to wait for another time. I like to try to use brown rice whenever I can and this was a perfect time to do so. The cheesy broccoli rice was really simple to make and it turned out great! It was nice and creamy and cheesy and good. I was thinking that next time it might be nice to throw it into a baking dish and bake it until the cheese on top turned a nice golden brown.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice
ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 batch bechamel sauce
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
- 1/4 cup gruyere (grated)
- 2 cups broccoli (steamed and chopped)
directions
- Simmer the rice in the water, covered, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Make or heat the bechamel sauce.
- Stir in the cheeses and let them melt.
- Stir in the broccoli and cook until warmed.
Jess says
This looks like it would be nice and cozy on the tongue. Baking it sounds like a great idea. I bet the corner pieces would be wonderful. Mmmm…
pepsakoy says
It makes the meal perfect ! The rice looks great and chicken made me drool !! ..lol
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
Mmm as comforting as a risotto-delicious Kevin! 🙂
James says
I used to do this stuffed in peppers and baked in the oven – and when I didn’t have the peppers just made the rice on it’s own. The cheese wins the day really.
Greg says
That looks really delicious! So creamy.
Robin says
We always have a broccoli cheese casserole for Thanksgiving. When I was younger I thought it was fabulous but now I don’t like it. I even suggested to my Mom that we replace it with something next year. The reason being is that we make a really cheap, easy version by melting Velveeta onto the broccoli and rice. Yuck. But I am definitely going to try your cheesy broccoli rice. It’s a grown up, sophisticated version of that cheap Thanksgiving staple. Maybe we can replace the bad with the good this year.
Ranjani says
that looks good!wonder if you could make it with arborio rice?
Sharon says
Oh wow, looks delicious Kevin!
tigerfish says
Oh-so-cheesy! Makes a one-dish meal!
Heather says
mmm. that looks like something my mom always made – chicken divan. it sounds delicious. cheese and broccoli are definitely two of my favorite things!
Helene says
This reminds me of childhood meals. Made your glazed maple carrots tonights. So good.
Manger La Ville says
This sounds delicious, indulgent and pretty easy. I have never heard up cooking rice in beschamel sauce and I must try it.
Nina Timm says
This should be a meal all on its own, Kevin!!! Great flavor combo!!!
Beachlover says
this rice is a really comfort food!! look great!
Donna-FFW says
What a fantastic side dish. I always enjoy finding new uses for broccoli.
Sean says
I was wondering what this was this whole week when I saw the chicken recipe! Sounds delicious!
Indonesia-Eats says
Gruyere yummyyy
Jan says
I have just made a rice pudding so I’m sure your cheesy broccoli rice would work great baked in the oven.
Although I must say, it sounds lovely as is.
pigpigscorner says
The love to drown my rice in a pool of yummy sauce.Looks really delicious!
Jennifer says
This reminds me of my childhood, although when my father “cooked” it was instant from a bag! Beautitful Kevin!
Darius T. Williams says
100% – gets my vote and looks fantastic.
Anonymous says
Yummy Yum..
Netts Nook says
Kevin this looks great I love broccoli I can’t wait to mix it up a little. What a great idea. Thanks
katie says
Good idea! I am going to try making a broccoli and cheddar risotto.
Pam says
Oh Kevin – this looks creamy and so good. I like broccoli and cheese together. I love that you used brown rice.
SusanQ says
That sounds delicious with your choice of cheeses!
Cheryl says
That is my most favorite rice, I buy it in a box, but now I dont have to!
Jeena says
Cheese and broccoli are great together, this looks so good Kevin!
Anonymous says
I bet that would be good with brown rice. I love the nutty flavor of brown rice and I think it would compliment the cheesy sauce well. Thanks for posting the recipe!
Kelly says
Yummm! That looks so good!
Leslie says
mmm..this sound wonderfully rich and yummy
Elra says
Sounds so good Kevin, very unusual.
Cheers,
elra
The American Homemaker says
I make a cheesy broccoli rice, but it’s not near as fancy 🙂
Bob says
Looks great, although I think browning up the cheese would be a nice touch.
Not Another Omnivore says
That sounds really great!
NAOmni
Joanne says
This looks great! A more sophisticated version of the campbell’s cream of broccoli soup version. I will definitely be making this for my parents when I got home for spring break…they are big fans of broccoli and cheese.
Kerstin says
You can’t go wrong with parmigiano reggiano and gruyere – looks delicious! I’ve really enjoyed checking out your archived recipes!
Natashya says
Your rice sounds so warm and soothing and delicious!
Bridgett says
Now this is definitely decadent!
Karen says
Great idea… it sounds rich and delicious.
Gloria says
Oh Kevin this look absolutely yummy and tasty!!! xGloria
Melissa says
That looks great! I don’t like broccoli by itself so this sounds great!
Maya says
I could be happy with a bowl of this!
Anonymous says
Béchamel + (white) cheeses = Mornay Sauce = YUM!
noobcook says
I luv the look of the melted cheese. Simple and delicious recipe 😀
Anonymous says
Looks like a comfort food!
Sojourner says
I liked this – subbed in sharp cheddar for gruyere and roasted the broccoli because I don’t have a steamer – but 1 cup was WAY too much rice. I added cheese though, and everything was better.
Anonymous says
Looks like something my dog threw up in the back yard.
Makes me kind of nauseated just looking at it.
r^2 says
Just made this and it tasted delicious! I did add a few extra ingredients to make the dish a full meal. I sautéed some garlic, onions, and shrimp. Oh I also added slices of cayenne pepper. Then I mixed this with the cheesy broccoli rice. Very comforting meal 🙂
Kevin says
r^2: Adding shrimp to make it a meal sounds good!
Anonymous says
Looks so delicous. where is the recipe??
Roshni Parate says
Broccoli cheese rice is my favourite!!!! Can’t wait to try this lightened up version. Thanks for sharing the amazing recipe.