EASY CHEESY BROCCOLI RICE

Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb. frozen broccoli florets, thawed ($2.59)
2 cups long grain rice ($1.32)
2 Tbsp butter ($0.26)
1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
1/4 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) ($0.02)
Freshly cracked pepper ($0.05)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan ($0.41)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar ($1.25)

Steps:

Place the rice in a large pot and add 3 cups water. Place a lid on the pot and bring it up to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After simmering for 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest without removing the lid for an additional 5 minutes. (OR use your favorite method of cooking rice -- rice cooker, Instant Pot, etc.)
While the rice is cooking, chop the broccoli florets into tiny pieces.
Once the rice has cooked, fluff it gently with a fork. Add the butter, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, and some freshly cracked pepper. Fold the butter and spices into the rice until fairly well combined (the butter should melt quickly in the hot rice).
Add the chopped broccoli and gently fold it into the rice. The broccoli should bring the temperature of the rice down just to the point where it is hot/warm, but not so hot that the cheese immediately melts when stirred into the rice.
Finally, add the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, and fold to combine again. Taste and adjust the salt or butter if needed. Serve immediately.