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This cheesy rice is the perfect upgrade if your kids love plain rice but you want something a little more filling and flavorful. It’s creamy, cozy, and made with real cheese, no boxed mixes needed. Serve it as an easy side dish or build it into a complete meal by adding protein and veggies. It’s simple, comforting, and always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Rice
- Ultra creamy and perfectly cheesy – Warm milk and freshly shredded cheese melt into the rice for a smooth, velvety texture that’s rich without feeling heavy.
- Made in one pot with simple pantry ingredients – Just a handful of basics like rice, milk, and cheese come together in a single saucepan for easy prep and cleanup.
- Easy to customize with vegetables or protein – Stir in broccoli, peas, beans, or shredded chicken to turn it into a more balanced, satisfying meal.
- Soft texture for babies and toddlers – The creamy consistency makes it easy to chew and simple to adapt with finely chopped vegetables and mild seasoning.
- Ready in about 25 minutes – The rice cooks right in the pot before the cheese is added, so everything comes together fresh and creamy in about 25 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
- Great for leftovers – It reheats well with a splash of milk and can easily be repurposed into a baked dish.
This is one of those back-pocket recipes I rely on when I need something quick that I know everyone will eat. It’s comforting but still easy to boost with extra nutrition depending on what you have on hand.
“My toddler loves this rice! I make a big batch and freeze it in small containers that I can easily defrost and reheat when I need a quick meal.” – Kalee
As a parent of littles, there is nothing better than making nutritious and delicious recipes all in ONE pot to keep things simple. That’s why I wrote a whole cookbook on my one pot wonders!
This creamy cheesy rice is a versatile dish with simple ingredients, making cooking dinner (and cleaning up after) quick. Using frozen veggies keeps things hassle-free on those busy weeknights.
Once you get the basics of this recipe down, you will love customizing it with different veggies and sources of protein, packing even more nutrients in each creamy bite.
For some other ways to upgrade your rice, try my Jumeokbap (Korean Rice Balls) and Easy Healthy Fried Rice (With Vegetables). Another amazing one-pot delight is my Beef Broccoli Rice Cooker Meal!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Rice – Long-grain rice turns out best for this recipe. Other kinds of rice may take longer to cook or get mushy. I share more about what types of rice work best below.
- Cheese – I used sharp cheddar cheese for this deliciously cheesy recipe, but you could use another kind that your family likes and that melts well. See more on choosing cheese below also.
- Broccoli – Frozen broccoli is so convenient. It is easy to keep on hand, already chopped, and cooked. That said, if you want to use fresh broccoli, you totally can. Just be sure to chop very finely. Learn more about how to prep fresh broccoli at broccoli for baby led weaning.
- Milk – Adding a splash of whole milk or half and half helps make this recipe smooth and creamy. Lower-fat milk would work here, it just won’t be as creamy as higher-fat milk or cream.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetables – instead of broccoli, try adding carrots, zucchini, onion, mushrooms, peas, etc. See how to cook frozen vegetables to learn more about the convenience of having these on hand.
- Cheese – Medium cheddar, white cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend would work deliciously here (a great way to use up some extra cheese in the fridge!). Have fun experimenting!
- Dairy-free – Use a non-dairy cheese and a splash of almond or oat milk to make this recipe dairy-free. Substitute olive oil or vegan butter for the butter.
- Seasonings – Try adding onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano….have fun experimenting!
- Add your choice of protein – Add 1 cup shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken (see chicken for babies) to turn this into a complete meal. You could also use beef, salmon, or even tofu. See the ultimate guide to tofu for babies to learn more about how to prepare. Also see the ultimate guide to salmon for babies.
- Mexican Cheesy Rice – Mix in ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, black beans, and swap cheddar for pepper jack.
- Baked Cheesy Rice Casserole – Transfer to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Cheesy Rice for Babies & Toddlers – Use whole milk, finely chop vegetables, and keep salt minimal for a soft, age-appropriate texture.
How to Make Cheesy Rice
Step 1: Rinse rice in cold water until water runs clear. Bring broth to boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice. Turn heat down to low and cover with lid.
Step 2: Cook for 15-20 minutes, until broth is mostly absorbed and rice is tender. Fluff cooked rice with a fork.
Step 3: Add the butter, garlic powder, and broccoli. Give it a good stir, cover, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in cheese until melted and add a splash of milk or half in half if you desire a creamier consistency.
Expert Tips
- Long grain rice, like basmati rice and jasmine rice, will work best. These varieties have a nice fluffy texture and absorb flavors really well. Also perfect for these easy unstuffed peppers. You can use short-grain rice if that’s all you have but due to their higher starch content, your cheesy rice will have a stickier, somewhat mushy texture.
- Be sure to rinse your rice – this is key to achieving the fluffy rice texture and preventing the rice from clumping together.
- When your rice is cooking, leave the lid of the pot on and don’t worry about stirring it until it is done. Otherwise, it can get mushy and clumpy, and letting out the steam will make the rice dry.
- Grate your cheese from a block for even better creamy cheese goodness. Freshly shredded cheese melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded.
Cheesy Rice FAQs
Adding a splash of half and half or even heavy cream makes this dish extra creamy.
Once cooled, store the leftover cheesy rice in an airtight container. If you double or triple the recipe, consider dividing leftover rice into individual portions before refrigerating. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
To keep your creamy rice moist when reheating, stir in a splash of broth or milk before reheating.
Yes! Prepare your easy cheesy broccoli rice and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Add a little liquid and reheat on low heat when your family is ready to enjoy it.
Cheese can become grainy if added over high heat. Always reduce heat to low before stirring it in.
Yes, though the texture will be slightly less creamy. Add a little extra milk if needed.
More Cheesy Dishes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Cheesy Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed (195g)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or bone broth
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: a splash of milk or half and half
Instructions
- Rinse rice in cold water until water runs clear. Bring broth to boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice. Turn heat down to low and cover with lid. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until broth is mostly absorbed and rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.
- Add the butter, garlic powder, and broccoli. Give it a good stir, cover, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted and add a splash of milk or half in half if you desire a creamier consistency.
Notes
- Long grain rice, like basmati rice and jasmine rice, will work best.
- Be sure to rinse your rice – this will help achieve the fluffy rice texture and prevent clumping.
- Grate your cheese from a block for even better creamy cheese goodness.
Do you cook the tofu in the oven and throw it in at the very end when the rice is prepared?
Yes! or cook on the stove
Can I use fresh broccoli
You can just be sure to finely chop
We added shredded chicken my 3 year old devoured it…as did my husband and I!
My daughter’s favourite meal!! Thank you.
My toddler loves this rice! I make a big batch and freeze it in small containers that I can easily defrost and reheat when I need a quick meal.
YES!! freezes so well, right?
Creamy and delicious. I’m not yet ready to offer my little one rice (he is 2) so I sub’d with a combo of Banza rice and pearled couscous. Great dish and enjoyed by everyone. 🙂
Could you do this in a rice cooker?
I haven’t tried but I personally wouldn’t as the rice would turn out too mushy, I feel.
Hit with my little one. Thank you.
Yay! So happy to hear that!