Broccoli Cheddar Rice

Gluten-free, Soy-free option

Inspired by one of our favorite dishes, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, this rice is cheesy, flavorful and loaded with broccoli. It’s kid-approved and a great way to sneak in those extra veggies. Our favorite way to serve this dish is topped with Parmesan-Crusted Tofu.

Broccoli Cheddar Rice is a delightful and wholesome dish that brings together the goodness of tender broccoli, creamy cashew cheese sauce, and nutty white rice. This recipe offers a vegan twist on the classic comfort food, making it suitable for those seeking a plant-based alternative without compromising on taste or texture.

The heart of this dish lies in the creamy cashew cheese sauce. Soaked raw cashews blend beautifully into a smooth and luscious mixture, enhanced with aromatic garlic powder, onion powder, and ground celery seed. The addition of nutritional yeast provides a hint of cheesy flavor and enhances the overall richness.

Freshly chopped broccoli and white onion are sautéed to perfection, contributing both color and taste to the dish. The broccoli retains its vibrant green hue while becoming wonderfully tender, creating a satisfying contrast to the creamy rice.

The creamy cashew cheese sauce binds the ingredients together, transforming simple white rice into a delightful and comforting meal. The sauce envelops each grain of rice, imparting a velvety texture and a depth of flavor that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.

This Broccoli Cheddar Rice recipe is highly versatile and open to adaptations. You can tailor the dish to your preferences by adjusting the seasonings, adding extra vegetables, or incorporating different types of vegan cheese. The dish is also rich in nutrients, with broccoli providing essential vitamins and minerals, and cashews offering healthy fats and protein.

Serve this comforting dish in bowls, garnished with dried or freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, top with Vegan Parmesan Cheese or your favorite store-bought alternative. The combination of creamy cashew cheese, tender broccoli, and hearty rice creates a truly satisfying and well-rounded meal that’s both nourishing and delicious.

Broccoli Cheddar Rice is a testament to the creativity and versatility of plant-based cooking. By blending simple and wholesome ingredients, this recipe delivers a dish that captures the essence of comfort food while remaining entirely vegan. Whether enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, this recipe is sure to become a favorite, offering a taste of both comfort and healthfulness in every bite.

PREP TIME: 5 minutes, plus inactive time to soak cashews and prep time for rice

COOK TIME: 10 minutes

YIELD: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) plain, unsweetened rice milk
• 1 cup (146 g) raw unsalted whole cashews, soaked
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp ground celery seed
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (20 g) nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1½ cups (150 g) finely chopped broccoli
• ½ medium-sized white onion, chopped (about ½ cup [80 g])
• ½ cup (60 g) vegan Cheddar shreds (here) or store-bought (soy-free if needed)
• 3 cups (500 g) Perfect White Rice (1 batch )
• Dried or chopped fresh parsley
• Vegan Parmesan Cheese or store-bought (soy-free if needed)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare Cashew Sauce:
   • In a high-speed blender, combine vegetable broth, rice milk, soaked cashews, garlic powder, onion powder, ground celery seed, salt, and nutritional yeast.
   • Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Cook Broccoli and Onion:
   • In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add chopped broccoli and onion to the skillet.
   • Cook, stirring often, for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is fork-tender and the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add Cashew Sauce and Cheese:
   • Pour the blended cashew sauce into the skillet with cooked broccoli and onion.
   • Add vegan Cheddar shreds to the skillet as well.
   • Stir the mixture continuously until the vegan cheese is fully melted and incorporated.
4. Stir in White Rice:
   • Incorporate the Perfect White Rice into the skillet, mixing it with the cashew cheese sauce and vegetables.
5. Serve:
   • Once the rice is well-coated with the cashew cheese sauce, remove the skillet from heat.
   • Serve the creamy broccoli rice in bowls.
   • Top with dried or chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
   • Optionally, sprinkle Vegan Parmesan Cheese over the dish, if desired.