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
March 7, 2009 at 11:47 pmThis 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
March 7, 2009 at 11:49 pmIt makes the meal perfect ! The rice looks great and chicken made me drool !! ..lol
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
March 8, 2009 at 12:09 amMmm as comforting as a risotto-delicious Kevin! 🙂
James says
March 8, 2009 at 12:21 amI 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
March 8, 2009 at 12:41 amThat looks really delicious! So creamy.
Robin says
March 8, 2009 at 1:03 amWe 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
March 8, 2009 at 2:13 amthat looks good!wonder if you could make it with arborio rice?
Sharon says
March 8, 2009 at 2:21 amOh wow, looks delicious Kevin!
tigerfish says
March 8, 2009 at 2:47 amOh-so-cheesy! Makes a one-dish meal!
Heather says
March 8, 2009 at 2:58 ammmm. 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
March 8, 2009 at 3:02 amThis reminds me of childhood meals. Made your glazed maple carrots tonights. So good.
Manger La Ville says
March 8, 2009 at 4:22 amThis sounds delicious, indulgent and pretty easy. I have never heard up cooking rice in beschamel sauce and I must try it.
Nina Timm says
March 8, 2009 at 4:53 amThis should be a meal all on its own, Kevin!!! Great flavor combo!!!
Beachlover says
March 8, 2009 at 5:26 amthis rice is a really comfort food!! look great!
Donna-FFW says
March 8, 2009 at 5:31 amWhat a fantastic side dish. I always enjoy finding new uses for broccoli.
Sean says
March 8, 2009 at 5:38 amI was wondering what this was this whole week when I saw the chicken recipe! Sounds delicious!
Indonesia-Eats says
March 8, 2009 at 7:32 amGruyere yummyyy
Jan says
March 8, 2009 at 8:06 amI 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
March 8, 2009 at 10:32 amThe love to drown my rice in a pool of yummy sauce.Looks really delicious!
Jennifer says
March 8, 2009 at 10:51 amThis reminds me of my childhood, although when my father “cooked” it was instant from a bag! Beautitful Kevin!
Darius T. Williams says
March 8, 2009 at 12:59 pm100% – gets my vote and looks fantastic.
Anonymous says
March 8, 2009 at 1:10 pmYummy Yum..
Netts Nook says
March 8, 2009 at 1:36 pmKevin this looks great I love broccoli I can’t wait to mix it up a little. What a great idea. Thanks
katie says
March 8, 2009 at 2:34 pmGood idea! I am going to try making a broccoli and cheddar risotto.
Pam says
March 8, 2009 at 2:44 pmOh Kevin – this looks creamy and so good. I like broccoli and cheese together. I love that you used brown rice.
SusanQ says
March 8, 2009 at 3:12 pmThat sounds delicious with your choice of cheeses!
Cheryl says
March 8, 2009 at 3:24 pmThat is my most favorite rice, I buy it in a box, but now I dont have to!
Jeena says
March 8, 2009 at 3:26 pmCheese and broccoli are great together, this looks so good Kevin!
Anonymous says
March 8, 2009 at 4:18 pmI 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
March 8, 2009 at 4:19 pmYummm! That looks so good!
Leslie says
March 8, 2009 at 4:37 pmmmm..this sound wonderfully rich and yummy
Elra says
March 8, 2009 at 5:01 pmSounds so good Kevin, very unusual.
Cheers,
elra
The American Homemaker says
March 8, 2009 at 5:27 pmI make a cheesy broccoli rice, but it’s not near as fancy 🙂
Bob says
March 8, 2009 at 5:45 pmLooks great, although I think browning up the cheese would be a nice touch.
Not Another Omnivore says
March 8, 2009 at 5:46 pmThat sounds really great!
NAOmni
Joanne says
March 8, 2009 at 5:48 pmThis 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
March 8, 2009 at 5:57 pmYou can’t go wrong with parmigiano reggiano and gruyere – looks delicious! I’ve really enjoyed checking out your archived recipes!
Natashya says
March 8, 2009 at 6:53 pmYour rice sounds so warm and soothing and delicious!
Bridgett says
March 8, 2009 at 7:55 pmNow this is definitely decadent!
Karen says
March 8, 2009 at 7:59 pmGreat idea… it sounds rich and delicious.
Gloria says
March 8, 2009 at 9:59 pmOh Kevin this look absolutely yummy and tasty!!! xGloria
Melissa says
March 8, 2009 at 10:42 pmThat looks great! I don’t like broccoli by itself so this sounds great!
Maya says
March 9, 2009 at 12:02 pmI could be happy with a bowl of this!
Anonymous says
March 9, 2009 at 7:38 pmBéchamel + (white) cheeses = Mornay Sauce = YUM!
noobcook says
March 10, 2009 at 8:50 amI luv the look of the melted cheese. Simple and delicious recipe 😀
Anonymous says
March 12, 2009 at 9:50 amLooks like a comfort food!
Sojourner says
March 13, 2009 at 3:12 amI 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
August 31, 2009 at 11:04 pmLooks like something my dog threw up in the back yard.
Makes me kind of nauseated just looking at it.
r^2 says
October 21, 2011 at 12:58 amJust 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
October 21, 2011 at 8:51 amr^2: Adding shrimp to make it a meal sounds good!
Anonymous says
March 29, 2013 at 4:53 pmLooks so delicous. where is the recipe??
Roshni Parate says
March 22, 2019 at 2:51 pmBroccoli cheese rice is my favourite!!!! Can’t wait to try this lightened up version. Thanks for sharing the amazing recipe.