One of my husbands favorite plant-based meals has always been my Broccoli Rice Casserole. I’ve simplified it into a quick and easy one pot meal that can be made in a skillet. I hope you love this One Pot Broccoli and Rice Skillet as much as he does!
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This is actually the third version of this recipe on my site! In the first, you have to cook the rice, and the sauce, and the broccoli and combine. It’s not hard but it’s a lot of dishes. The second version is a Crock Pot recipe that is really easy but takes hours to cook. I also make it in the Instant Pot but I haven’t shared that version yet.
This version of my Broccoli and Rice is done in less than half an hour! I changed up the ingredients a bit to make this quicker version. The biggest change was using Jasmine rice. I used to always use brown rice but it take about 45 minutes to cook on the stove.
When I asked my readers what they wanted, most said quick and easy recipes so that has become my focus! I want to help you!
One Pot Broccoli and Rice
When I made this, we eat it as a main dish. It works well as a side dish as well. I think it’s one of those perfect dishes, like my Mexican Casserole, that can be made as is to keep plant-based eaters happy but served with a side of meat for family members who aren’t on a plant-based diet.
This recipe makes 4 servings when eaten as a main dish. It reheats well, my husband always takes the leftovers to work for lunch and heats it up in the microwave.
Plant-Based Broccoli and Rice
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups Jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup plant-based milk, I used unsweetened rice milk
- 3 cups chopped broccoli
Do
- In a skillet with a lid, bring your water to a boil.
- Add rice and seasoning and stir well. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cover with a lid.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir well, and add 1 cup of plant-milk and all your broccoli. Cover with the lid. If you feel like it’s too dry, you can add 1/2 a cup of water.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes or until broccoli is tender. I cooked for 5 and needed a couple more minutes, it will depend on your heat and the size of your broccoli.
This Broccoli and Rice came out perfect! We added a little more salt to our individual bowls.
One Pot Broccoli and Rice
Ingredients
Instructions
Looking forward to the instant pot recipe!
If using frozen broccoli when should it be added to the skillet?
Ashley,
It will thaw quickly so just a couple minutes earlier. If they are big pieces of fresh broccoli then you can put it in with the rice. My frozen broccoli always seems to be tiny.
Can I make this and freeze it
I haven’t tried freezing it. The texture would probably change some. I’ll let you know once I try.
I’d love the instant pot version recipe please!!! 😊
Instant pot version??
looks good! you wrote you used in the past brown rice, can you tell me the quantities for that?
The version that used brown rice can be found here. https://myplantbasedfamily.com/2012/08/23/brown-rice-and-broccoli-casserole/
I would cook the brown rice, steam the broccoli, make a sauce in a separate pot, then combine it all together.
I’d love quantities for using brown rice, too! I imagine there is more added liquid? And longer bake time? Thank you so much for sharing all your recipes, I love them!
You can use the same quantities but it will need to cook much longer. Brown rice takes about 22 minutes. Broccoli takes less than one so if you use brown rice, the broccoli will turn to mush. I don’t mind mushy broccoli but I’m in the minority. If I was making this with brown rice, I would:
1. Add the water and brown rice.
2. Add seasonings.
3. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 22 minutes.
4. Let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes.
5. Open the lid and add the milk and broccoli florets that have been chopped into small pieces.
6. Stir it well and put the lid on for about 10 minutes. Let the heat warm the broccoli and allow the milk to absorb.
I haven’t tried doing it exactly like that but I think it has the best chance to work as an Instant Pot recipe with brown rice.
How do you do the instant pot for this recipe?
I don’t have an Instant Pot version for this yet. The problem is that the broccoli cooks in no time at all and will be way over done by the time the rice is ready. It’s hard to make it a one pot meal in the Instant Pot. If you don’t mind overcooked broccoli you can cook it all together. If you are using Jasmine rice, you’ll want to cook it (on manual or pressure cook setting) for 5 minutes. I’d use 1 part rice, 2 parts water and all the spices. I’d wait until it was done cooking to add the milk, then let it set for a while before serving. I haven’t tried it!
This is an easy and delicious recipe. I modified it a bit by sautéing onion in the pot first. I think next time (and there will be a next time!) I will use veggie broth instead of water, add a little more salt and some pepper, a little more nooch and a shake or two of chili flakes. Thank you for a great recipe!
what is nooch?
It’s slang for nutritional yeast. It can be found in most health food stores and gives food a little bit of a cheese flavor. You can skip it but may want to add more spices.
Could I use regular white rice?
Yes you could. You may need to adjust the cooking time a little.