For my food self, this is a yummy yummy good good week.
Mostly because I have a little collection of leftover containers holding what’s left of this delicious homemade Rice-A-Roni-esque meal. Two options right now: 1) judge the fact that I just likened this to Rice-A-Roni or 2) be a real person who likes good food made from scratch that just happens to taste like Rice-A-Roni. I already know what choice you’ll make, because you rock. Mwah.
I love when I get to the middle of a workday Monday and I remember that I have amazing lunch leftovers waiting for me. No more of this sad baggie of pretzels and small container of peanut butter thing I’ve been into lately. This week is going to be for realishly good.
Right now this 30 Minute Healthy Broccoli Cheese Rice is reminding me of an extra satisfying version of broccoli cheese soup, because sometimes broccoli cheese soup totally dominates in the flavor/comfort department but is a little bit lacking in the satisfying-my-imminent-hunger department. It’s just hard for me to consider liquid a real official meal sometimes. Amen? Everything about this – the incredible texture, the cheddar flavor, and the bright green of the broccoli – is giving me an instant food-mood boost.
Good thing my food self is having a great week because my regular life self is having a bleh moment.
Remember that studio that I fell in love with a few weeks ago? I don’t think I’ve shared much about it here, but I had shown a few pics of it on the social media thingys and had almost already taken to coming up with our own hashtag for it on Instagram. (Bjork wouldn’t let me. He’s always so rational like that.) It was a little studio in the arts district that we wanted to use as a blog photography and video studio kitchen for Pinch of Yum. So basically a food play room where adults pretend like they’re working but they’re actually just eating food and having fun. ā¤
The bleh moment comes in when we took forever getting ready to commit and then when we finally did commit… we were too late. One day too late. And we didn’t get it.
Some supersneaky (read: organized and decisive and on the ball) person swooped in the day before our plumber was able to get there to confirm that the kitchen would function properly, and they nabbed that cozy little space like there was no tomorrow. And then there actually was no tomorrow for us to sign the lease. That was pretty much bleh.
It’s all well and good, it wasn’t meant to be, I know. I really do know that. But that doesn’t take away my depressed feelings about all the wasted time we spent driving there, looking at comparables, and deciding on which place we liked best. Plus, I’ve since scoured every corner of the internets and I cannot find a listing half as warm+cozy+creative. It was not the right place, but it was something special and now I’m a little mopey.
Right now our plans to continue the search are half-hearted. We’ve re-channeled our efforts —> these cookies and The Office and naps. Really healthy habits we have going on over here.
Okay, but on the other hand, this 30 Minute Healthy Broccoli Cheese Rice IS kind of healthy, and it will make you so glad that you didn’t pack yourself pretzels for lunch again. It’s meatless – weee! – and it’s full of good stuff like protein and fiber and vegetables and cheese, just like any good meatless dish should be. There is almond meal in the base of the sauce instead of flour. Seeerious. Be proud of me – I never do stuff like that. And then buckle up because there are crushed almonds on top to crunchify it all together. So good. Bjork loved it, I loved it, and the long-gone studio would have loved it in some other life. Le sigh.
Pass the ricey.
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30 Minute Healthy Broccoli Cheese Rice
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5-6 1x
Description
This 30 Minute Healthy Broccoli Cheese Rice is made from scratch – just a few simple ingredients for a creamy, broccoli-licious meal!
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice (I used a brown rice blend from Costco – love it)
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons almond meal
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup broth as needed
- 1 14-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained
- crushed almonds for topping
- sliced green onions for topping
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package directions. Bring a small pot of water to boil (enough to cover the broccoli). Add the broccoli, cook for 1 minute or until the broccoli turns bright green, and remove from heat immediately. Drain and transfer to a bowl of very cold water. This keeps the broccoli bright green and pretty.
- In a deep pot, melt the butter. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the almond meal and salt and cook for 2-3 minutes (it will be thick and clumpy). Add the milk a little bit at a time, whisking after each addition to smooth out the sauce and letting the mixture simmer until thickened slightly. Add half of the cheese and stir until melted.
- Chop the cooked broccoli into fine bits, leaving a few larger florets (just for a more interesting texture). Stir the broccoli, cooked rice, white beans, and any additional broth or milk as needed until the mixture is well combined. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cover the pan until the cheese is melted. Top with almonds and green onions and season with more salt and pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli cheese rice, healthy broccoli cheese rice, broccoli and cheese
Can you use Almond Milk instead of regular?
That should be fine, it just won’t be as creamy. We’d recommend using unsweetened almond milk. Let us know how this goes for you, Nancy!
Did not care for the texture of the Almond meal in the dish. What about Nutritional yeast instead?
Had some mushrooms I needed to use up.
Saute them in their own pan and toss them in with broccoli and beans mixture.
Instead of almond meal or flour what about Nutritional Yeast & vegan cheddar cheese?
A great recipe! So glad to see no mushroom soup full of MSG and it is delicious! thank you so much
What is a good sub for almond meal? I have a nut allergy & would love to make this.
Hi Jenne! We haven’t tried it with another meal, but you could try cornmeal and see how it turns out!
I would LOVE to try this, but I’m allergic to almonds (and all tree nuts)! Any suggestions for what I could substitute the almond meal with?
Hi, Caroline! You should be able to use all-purpose flour. Enjoy! š
Thanks so much!
I made this last night and used 3T flour instead of the almond meal and it was perfect. Also used half brown rice and half wild rice because I only had 1/2 cup of brown rice left! I loved it though, the nutty rice, creamy beans and all that broccoli, SO GOOD! Can’t wait to eat leftovers for lunch today! Thanks for another awesome recipe.
Thanks for the comment – I’m so glad to hear that you liked it Jamie!
Love your site (just discovered it yesterday and am planning on making cauliflower alfredo tonight!).
Question with this recipe though: is the 1 cup measurement for the rice cooked or uncooked? I’m guessing cooked based on the pictures, it only looks like about a cup is mixed in there…but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check.
uncooked!
I made this last night and my husband and I LOVED it! I think next time I might add a little more cheese (makes it less healthy, but what the heck). We also added chilli flakes just before serving for a little kick!
Yum! Great idea Julia!
I love, love this recipe! Lindsay, is this one cup of rice measured before cooking or after cooking the rice?
before! š Hope you like it Ann!
Ann, I made this last night and measured 1 cup of rice before cooking and it turned out to be the perfect amount.
How did you incorporate gourmet into 30 minutes or less! Perfect dish!
Thanks Kira!
Thanks again for another WONDERFUL dish!! I appreciate you so much Lindsay! Thanks for sharing š
Aww Lindsay, I’m so sorry about that! Even though I’m of the same mindset — everything happens for a reason — sometimes I just don’t want to admit it when the situation looked and felt as perfect as your cozy little studio space looked. And even though most of the time, it takes what feels like 5 bazillion years to figure out why that perfect thing wasn’t meant to be, I hope you find an even better adorable little studio kitchen for you to photograph and cook and film in. You deserve the best of the best of the best!! And cheesy yummy comfort food always makes everything a tiny bit (or a lot bit) better. It’s a scientific fact.
i used to love rice-a-roni in college, this is my type of meal now! and so sorry to hear about not getting the space. but like you mentioned, i honestly believe that everything happens for a reason. xo
Aw, thanks Amanda! really appreciate that! When we do get a space, we’ll have to host a dinner party for local bloggers! woot
Looks yummy! Best of luck finding a studio space! There is something better ahead š
Looks so hearty and delish! Good luck with you space hunt!
This looks so good! I love Rice-A-Roni but it is too high in sodium so I never buy it. This looks much better, with all natural ingredients instead of the mile-long list on the box!
Hooray for you and Bjork getting out there and searching for that treasure spot that will surely turn into an amazing kitchen studio space. Put a check mark in the box next to “we are doing something to make our dreams come true”. There is NEVER any time that is wasting when doing that.
You now have a better understanding of comps in the area. Your list of things that you must have and can live without probably got a little more defined and you know that there are spaces out there that will work.
I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure in finding the perfect kitchen studio space. After the napping and cookie eating have soothed your souls!
Thanks Leigh! You are so encouraging! š š
Aw, Lindsay, so sorry to hear about your disappointment. A similar disappointment happened to me and hubby recently over renting our flat out … big bummer. But the good thing is … you have yummy lunches this week! Such a creative idea for sprucing up rice!
This looks so comforting! My kids love broccoli so I will totally give this a try. Shared and pinned š
I may or may have not said, “Nooooo!” to my computer screen when I read about the studio space. So sad! But alas, not meant to be. You will find the perfect space in due time, just as you did your home, I know it.
Aaaaaand gimme all that broccoli cheese rice yum yums.
WAHHH! I know. I was so excited about it. But … at least we get to meet your baby soon. š
Ooh this looks great! I love “bowl” meals, or ones that kind of hit up all the different macros. Can’t wait to try it!
I don’t have almond meal, but I have flaxseed meal…think it would work?
Not sure… I would just use a little bit of flour with some flaxseed tossed in there if you can handle the flour (no gluten insensitivities or anything).
Making this for dinner tomorrow night. Drool!
Pinned
Rice-A-Roni. Well that is a true blast from the past. I haven’t had anything like that since I first taught myself to “cook” and lived off such things. Now we shun processed foods nothing packaged appears in our house. I love everything about this dish. Just need some cooler weather to cook it š