Walder Wellness, RD | Simple, Healthy Whole Food Recipes

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Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Rice (Stovetop Recipe)

January 6, 2021

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

This cheesy broccoli rice recipe is made with a vegan cheesy cashew cream sauce! It’s healthy, so easy to make, and a super delicious side to your favourite protein. Recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

overhead photo of pot filled with vegan cheesy broccoli rice

Cheesy broccoli rice is one of those comfort foods that many of us know and love! This recipe puts a healthier spin on the classic and offers a version that can be enjoyed by both vegans and dairy-lovers alike.

This broccoli cheese rice is super easy to make and uses only 10 simple, healthy ingredients – many of which you may already have in your pantry.

Instead of a traditional cheese sauce, this one is made by blending cashews with nutritional yeast and a variety of seasonings. It’s so creamy and seriously delicious!

Even better? This recipe is great for making in advance and makes perfect leftovers. Add it to your weekly meal prep and pair it with your favourite protein. Dinner is done!

overhead photo of white bowl filled with vegan cheesy broccoli rice on grey backdrop

Recipe Ingredients

This cheesy broccoli and rice recipe is only 10 simple, healthy ingredients (plus salt + pepper):

  • brown rice
  • broccoli (fresh or frozen)
  • vegetable broth
  • raw cashews
  • nutritional yeast
  • smoked paprika
  • turmeric
  • almond milk
  • garlic
  • apple cider OR white wine vinegar
overhead photo of wood cutting board with ingredients in small white bowls

How To Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice

To make this recipe, start by cooking the brown rice with the vegetable broth according to package directions.

While the rice cooks, chop broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces. Add the broccoli to the cooking rice in its last 10 minutes of cooking. Cover and allow the broccoli to cook with the rice.

Meanwhile, make the cashew cream cheese sauce. Place all sauce ingredients into a high-speed blender (I use this Vitamix) and blend until smooth.

When the rice has finished cooking, turn off the heat and stir in the cheese sauce. Toss everything until well combined and serve immediately!

*NOTE: before making this recipe, you need to soak the cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight. I find it easiest to just throw them into a jar, cover with water, and place in the fridge the night before I plan on making a recipe (otherwise, I’m likely to forget to do this).

overhead photo of large pot with broccoli rice topped with vegan cheesy cashew cream sauce

What To Serve With This Recipe

This cheesy broccoli rice is a source of complex carbohydrates, fibre-rich veggies, and healthy fats. To balance out the meal, serve it with your favourite protein source, such as:

  • sautéed shrimp
  • baked salmon
  • poached eggs
  • grilled chicken
  • crispy tofu
  • chickpeas

My personal favourite? I’ve paired this recipe with these Garlic Paprika & Honey Shrimp about 3 times and LOVE the combination so much! Highly recommend if you eat seafood 😉

How To Store & Reheat Recipe

This recipe makes awesome leftovers that maintain their texture well when reheated! Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

closeup overhead photo of white bowl filled with vegan cheesy broccoli rice on grey backdrop

Broccoli Nutrition Benefits

This green cruciferous vegetable is a great source of:

  • Micronutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium
    • Broccoli is one of the best sources of Vitamin C out there – just one cup provides 135% of your daily vitamin C needs
  • Dietary fibre – one cup provides 2.3 grams of fibre, which is 9% of your daily fibre needs
    • Fibre is known to help with digestion, heart health, blood sugar control, and weight management.
  • Beneficial plant compounds (like sulforaphane) and antioxidants (like carotenoids)

Brown Rice Nutrition Benefits

Brown rice is:

  • a fibre-rich whole grain, with 1 cup providing 3.5 grams (about 14% of your daily needs)
  • an excellent source of B-vitamins, like thiamin, niacin, B6, and pantothenic acid
  • a good source of minerals like manganese, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and iron
closeup photo of pot filled with vegan cheesy broccoli rice

More Easy, Healthy Rice Recipes

  • Cheesy Butternut Squash Rice Bowl
  • Green Goddess Rice Bowl
  • Cheesy Miso Mushroom Rice
  • Sautéed Shrimp With Tomato Sauce, Feta & Rice

Did you give this Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Rice Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

overhead photo of pot filled with vegan cheesy broccoli rice
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Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Rice (Stovetop Recipe)

This cheesy broccoli rice recipe is made with a vegan cheesy cashew cream sauce! It's healthy, so easy to make, and a super delicious side to your favourite protein. Recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword broccoli, brown rice, cashews, dairy free, nutritional yeast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Carrie Walder

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1 + 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • Approx. 6 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Cashew Cream Cheese Sauce:

  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
  • 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp apple cider OR white wine vinegar
  • Salt + pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • *NOTE: before making this recipe, you'll need to soak the cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight. I find it easiest to just throw them into a jar, cover with water, and place in the fridge the night before I plan on making a recipe (otherwise, I’m likely to forget to do this).
  • Start by cooking the brown rice with the vegetable broth according to package directions.
    *NOTE: The brown rice I used requires 1 + 3/4 cup of liquid per 1 cup of rice, but please consult the specific type of rice you're using for exact measurements and cooking time!
  • While the rice cooks, chop broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces. Add the broccoli to the pot with rice in the last 10 minutes of cooking for the rice (e.g. the 30 minute mark). Stir, cover, and allow the broccoli to cook with the rice.
  • Meanwhile, make the cashew cream cheese sauce. Place all sauce ingredients into a high-speed blender (I use this Vitamix) and blend until smooth.
  • When the rice has finished cooking, turn off the heat and stir in the cheese sauce. Toss everything until well combined and serve immediately!

Notes

*This cheesy broccoli rice is a source of complex carbohydrates, fibre-rich veggies, and healthy fats. To balance out the meal, serve it with your favourite protein source. My personal favourite? I’ve paired this recipe with these Garlic Paprika & Honey Shrimp about 3 times and LOVE the combination so much! Highly recommend if you eat seafood 😉
*This recipe makes awesome leftovers that maintain their texture well when reheated! Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

Pin it for later:

pinterest graphic for vegan cheesy broccoli rice recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy

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2 Comments
Filed Under: Bowls, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Meal Prep, Recipes, Sauces & Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tagged With: broccoli, nutritional yeast, nuts

Comments

  1. dave harvey says

    January 7, 2021 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    just made it very good all your recipes are great

    Reply
    • Carrie Walder says

      January 8, 2021 at 8:20 am

      Hi Dave! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for the kind words. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this one. Wishing you a great start to the new year 🙂

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I’m Carrie Walder, MS, RD! I’m a Registered Dietitian in both Canada and the United States. Here, and on my Instagram (@walderwellness), I share ways to add more whole foods into your everyday life in a simple, realistic, and nutritionally balanced way. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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