This Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice is an easy and delicious side dish for just about any meal! Thanks to your pressure cooker, it’s ready in a flash and only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Well hello there! It’s been awhile since I posted, as I went and took a break for the holidays and it just kind of kept going from there.
We did some traveling mid January (Disney!) and then after coming home, we all came down with multiple types of sickness. RSV, flu, ear infections, pink eye, rashes, etc. Between all five of us, we ran the gamut of illness.
I have to say that throughout all of that sickness, I barely left the house. It’s also been pretty cold out (by Texan standards ????) so that’s sort of contributed to my homebody status as well.
Since I was home a lot, my Instant Pot and I spent a lot of quality time together. I’ve made quite a few new recipes using my fave kitchen toy, and this Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice is one of my new go-to side dishes.
My kids love this one, and you can easily make it into a full meal as well just by adding some cooked chicken. As a side dish, it’s great to accompany chicken, fish, or beef and is super easy and quick to throw together. Enjoy y’all!
Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2.5 cups chicken broth, divided
- 1 cup medium grain white rice
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Push the saute button on Instant Pot and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook stirring constantly so that it doesn't burn, about 30 seconds.
- Push the "off" button and add 2 cups of the chicken broth and the rice. Stir everything well, then place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the pressure release knob to "sealing."
- Cook the rice over manual high pressure for 5 minutes. When the timer is up, perform a quick release. After the pressure has completely released and the pin has dropped, open the lid and stir in the broccoli, remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, and salt and pepper.
- Place the lid back on the pot, turn the pressure release knob to "sealing," and cook the broccoli and rice over manual high pressure for 1 minute. When the timer is up, perform a quick release. After the pressure has completely released and the pin has dropped, open the lid and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Enjoy!
Nutrition
If you like this Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice, then you might also like:
Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Beth says
This was delicious and very simple. Excited to double the recipe with extra broth and another reader mentioned in the comments.
Tammie says
This was very delicious. I doubled the recipe, and didn’t need to adjust the cooking time. It was perfect just the way it is.
Danielle says
I have an intolerance to onions, could I just skip the onion step and saute the butter and garlic? This recipe looks so good, I want to be able to make it!
Ashlyn Edwards says
Sure!
Aileen Basile says
Yum it came out great!
Carrie Decman says
Needed a casserole for a potluck so I doubled all ingredients—-cooking time the same. I added an extra 1/4 cup broth with the broccoli and stirred in some heavy cream with the cheese to make it just a bit more creamy. Delicious!!! Thank you for the great recipe! Will definitely make this again!!
Brittany says
This was the second recipe I tried in my new Insta Pot. It was amazing. Simple and easy to follow directions. Thank you!!
Ali Hanson says
I love this recipe. I am always looking for more ways to use my instant pot. Simple ingredients make this look so easy to do I can’t wait to try!
Ramona says
Perfect dish for any week night and this is such a great idea to make as soon as tonight – thanks you so much for the inspo.
Katie says
This is ticking all of my boxes! I love everything to do with this recipe, I can’t wait to try it out!
Katie xoxo
Vanessa says
This recipe was quick and easy. It’s delicious and my daughter loves it. I added more broccoli then it called for. Thanks for an amazing recipe
Danielle says
I’m tripling the recipe for a late Friendsgiving and hope the time of cooking rice is the same at 5 minutes. It smells so googood.
Renee says
How did it go? Did you triple all ingredients? Add time?
Vicki says
Does the broccoli need to be frozen or thawed when adding to the IP?
Ashlyn says
I use fresh broccoli, but I think you could use frozen or thawed also with good results.
Teresa P. says
Could I substitute quinoa for the rice? Will it cook the same?
Ashlyn says
Hi Teresa, I haven’t tried that before. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Vanessa says
Could I use brown rice instead of white rice ??
Ashlyn Edwards says
You can, but the cook time would be longer. I haven’t tried it with brown rice so I can’t say how much longer it would need to go for though. Let me know if you try it!
Cassie B says
I made it with brown rice. I increased the cooking time from 5 to 18 minues. Everything else I kept the same.
Bianca G says
Thank you so much! The easiest I’ve ever come across
John Proffitt says
Have made this many times. It’s a family favorite!
Lori says
This is a wonderful recipe. Made it exactly as it was written it was perfect!
Gopi says
I have made this a few times and it is delicious! Its so quick and easy. The first time i used brown rice (didnt work too well. I had to cook on high pressure for about 15 minutes and then the rice was mushy -but still tasted yum!) The second time i used white uncle bens rice and yummo! Instead of half a cup of chicken broth at the end i added 3/4 cup. Will def be making this again!
Lisa says
Hi I made this today with water instead of chicken broth for my vegetarian daughter and it was great!
Tamela Jones says
I’m sick. I could not tolerate another can of soup. All that I had on hand was a little bit shy of a cup of medium grain rice, 2 thin chicken breast, and, garlic, and red and white onion. So, I looked for a recipe to accommodate what I had on hand. I did follow the recipe, for the most part, but I had to make some adjustments. I added Bouillon cube instead of broth (Dissolved in the water), Thyme, and a shake or two of Grill Masters steak seasoning (I love that stuff). It turned out good. I did get a burn notice too, so I think that it needs a bit more fluid. It was not as creamy as I would have liked, so I did cheat and added 2 small spoons of cream of chicken and a small amount of butter after it was done, with the cheese. Problem solved. Next time, I will use cream instead of the Cream of Chicken soup to cut down on the salt. Cook time was awesome! On to your next recipe!
Molly says
This was really delicious. It needed a little more broth , as some rice was stuck to bottom of instant pot. But it was GTEAT
Becky says
Mine stuck to the bottom also! Is it not enough broth?
Beth says
I had the same problem, but it was tasty.
Morgan Eisenberg says
This looks so warm and comforting, can’t wait to try it!
Liz says
YUM!!! I literally JUST ordered an instant pot (it comes tomorrow!) so this is first on my list to make!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Used to have this all the time growing up. Now I’m totally craving it!
Kristine says
This is a fabulous recipe. Easy, tasty, and comforting. My whole family enjoyed every bite – will be making this one again, thanks!
Vicky says
A few of my kids are not fans of rice for some reason, but I think I may have found the thing to get them to love it! This cheesy rice might be just the thing to help them become rice converts.