Broccoli, Cheese, And Rice: Perfect Pairings For A Main Dish

Broccoli, cheese, and rice is a classic combination that can be served as a main course or a side dish. This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their greens, and it's perfect for holidays, dinners with family and friends, or even just a simple weeknight meal. You can add protein to make it a more substantial meal, or serve it alongside meat such as chicken, pork chops, or beef.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 6 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¾ cup diced onion (about 1 small)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Cook the onion and butter on medium-low heat until the onion is softened and translucent. Stir in the flour, garlic powder, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking. Continue whisking over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the dry mustard, paprika, cream cheese, and 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Taste and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Place the broccoli in boiling water for about 2 minutes. You still want it slightly crisp as it will cook more in the oven.

Stir together the rice, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Place in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 35 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned.

Tips and Variations

• To lighten this dish, use light cheese and low-fat milk. You can also substitute the rice with brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice.
• To add protein, include chicken, turkey, or ham to make a chicken and rice casserole.
• Swap the cheddar with Swiss or Monterey Jack cheese.
• Add more vegetables like cauliflower or whatever you have on hand.
• This casserole is great as a vegetarian entrée, but it also pairs well with roasted chicken, pork chops, or a beef roast.
• Serve with a cold, crunchy salad and some dinner rolls with butter.

Crispy Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed saltine crackers
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• ½ cup margarine, melted
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil or butter (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a large baking dish.
• Mix the crushed crackers, seasoned salt, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
• Dip the chicken breasts into the melted margarine, then press them into the cracker mixture until coated.
• Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish.
• Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. The ideal temperature for the chicken is 165°F (75°C).

Tips:

• For a healthier option, use olive oil or butter instead of margarine.
• You can also sprinkle the chicken with paprika and/or granulated garlic for extra flavor.
• This recipe creates a crispy texture similar to fried chicken, but with the convenience of baking.

Cajun Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (8 ounces each)
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups of cooked white rice
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of long-grain rice
• 2 cups of chicken stock
• 8 ounces of tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Chopped parsley, for serving

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli Cheese Rice

• In a saucepan, bring 3 cups of broth (vegetable or chicken) to a boil. You can also use water if preferred.
• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the broccoli florets, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt to the broth. Stir well to combine.
• Bring the mixture back to a boil, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the broccoli is tender.
• Remove from heat and add the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted. You can also add a splash of cream or half-and-half for a creamier sauce.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 2: Prepare the Cajun Salmon

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a bowl, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
• Drizzle the salmon fillets with olive oil and season both sides generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Place the seasoned salmon fillets in a baking dish and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness. For medium-rare salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

• Spoon the Broccoli Cheese Rice into shallow bowls or plates.
• Place the baked Cajun salmon fillets on top of the rice.
• Serve with lemon wedges and chopped parsley for added flavor and freshness.

Tips and Variations:

• For a spicier dish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the rice.
• If you prefer your broccoli with more bite, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
• You can also grill or pan-sear the salmon fillets instead of baking them for a different flavor and texture.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1/3 cup liquid (water, broth or milk)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In the same saucepan, add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Add the jasmine rice, cover, and reduce the temperature to low. Stir occasionally. After the rice has simmered on low for 12 minutes, remove the cover and stir well.

Add in two tablespoons of butter, 1/3 cup of water, salt, and pepper. Cover and let it simmer for 3 more minutes.

After 3 minutes, stir in the broccoli. Continue to let the rice cook on low for 4-5 minutes or until your broccoli is the desired tenderness.

Stir in the cheese and serve.

Ritz crackers topping

A crunchy Ritz cracker topping is the perfect finish to a broccoli cheese rice casserole, providing a crispy, buttery texture and a lovely golden colour. This topping is a great way to elevate a simple dish and make it extra special.

Ingredients:

• Ritz crackers
• Butter, melted
• Optional: Paprika, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley or chives

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350-375℉. Prepare the broccoli cheese rice in a casserole dish according to your chosen recipe.

For the topping, crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a zip-top bag and using a rolling pin to crush them, or by blending them. You will need about 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 3/4 cups of crumbs, depending on how thick you want the topping to be.

Combine the crumbs with melted butter. You will need 2-8 tablespoons of butter, again depending on how buttery you want the topping to be. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.

Sprinkle the buttery crumbs over the broccoli cheese rice in an even layer. You can also add some smoked paprika or Parmesan cheese to the topping for extra flavour, if desired.

Bake in the oven for 15-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy, and the casserole is heated through.

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavours to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Tips:

• Don't skip the cracker topping! It's the best part and gives a great crunchy texture. You can even double the topping for extra crunch.
• For a pop of colour and a touch of freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving.
• If making ahead, add the topping just before baking.

Frequently asked questions