↑

Delicious Little Bites

Loving Life One Bite at a Time

  • About
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice

Published January 16, 2023 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

A white bowl full of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice.
A white bowl full of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice.
Two images of a white bowl full of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice between them.
A wood turner in a skillet of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice.
A wood turner in a skillet of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice.
A forkful of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice being held up over a bowl full of more of the same with text overlay that says cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice.

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice is an easy-to-make low carb side dish. Made with riced cauliflower, broccoli, and plenty of cheddar cheese, this rich and creamy recipe is also naturally gluten free.

Cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice in a white bowl with part of a black skillet and a glass of water in the background.

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

Back in my vegetarian days, I used to buy prepackaged broccoli cheddar rice and eat just that as a meal. It probably wasn’t the best choice, but it was so darn good! So, I decided to come up with my own lower carb, lower calorie version.

Cauliflower rice serves as the base for this recipe. To get a similar consistency to the boxed cheddar broccoli rice, I also rice the broccoli. This helps make it so that both vegetables cook more evenly.

The sauce is a basic cheese sauce that can be used for a variety of recipes, but is really what gives this side dish recipe so much flavor.

If you are looking for more ways to enjoy cauliflower rice, you may also enjoy this recipe for Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Rice.

Why This Recipe Works

This is an easy side dish recipe that can be served alongside most meats and seafood, or enjoyed on its own. You can also try stirring in chicken, crumbled bacon, sausage, or diced ham for more heartiness.

It’s a low carb, gluten free recipe that is also suitable for those following a keto diet.

This is a great recipe to sneak in more vegetables. With plenty of cheese, even the kids won’t complain about eating their vegetables.

How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice in bowls with text overlays.

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Rice the cauliflower and broccoli, and shred the cheese.

You can reference this post on How to Rice Cauliflower, if needed.

Some grocery stores carry riced cauliflower in the produce section now, as well.

Use fresh cauliflower and broccoli for the best results. If you choose to use frozen, you may have to cook it longer to get all of the extra moisture out.

It is strongly recommended to shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Cheese from a block melts better and doesn’t contain any added starches.

Create!

Rice broccoli and cauliflower in a black skillet.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Once hot, add the riced cauliflower and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring often, until just tender – about 8-9 minutes. Transfer the rice mixture to a bowl, wipe the pan clean, and return it to medium heat on the stove top.

Cheese sauce in a black skillet.

Add the butter.

Once melted, whisk in the heavy whipping cream and mustard powder. Cook until hot and bubbly.

Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and fully blended with the butter and cream mixture.

Riced cauliflower and broccoli in cheese sauce in a black skillet.

Stir the cauliflower and broccoli into the cheesy sauce and continue to cook an additional 2-3 minutes, or until everything is well combine and heated through.

Present!

Serve straight out of the skillet or transfer to a serving dish.

Garnish with extra cheese, if desired.

Tips & Techniques

  • You can reference this post on How to Rice Cauliflower, if needed.
  • Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Cheese from a block melts better and doesn’t contain any added starches.
  • Use fresh cauliflower and broccoli rather than frozen for the best results.
  • Add in some cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, sausage, or diced ham for added protein, flavor, and heartiness.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-5 days.

FAQ’s

Can You Substitute The Heavy Cream With Half-And-Half Or Milk? 

Yes, you can use milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Be aware that the cheese sauce may be on the thinner side should you choose not to use heavy cream.

Is Cauliflower Rice Good For You?

Cauliflower rice is a better choice than traditional rice because it’s much lower in calories and carbohydrates. It’s also rich in antioxidants.

More Cauliflower Rice Recipes

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This easy recipe for Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice adds a lot more flavor to your meal. It's a low carb, gluten free side dish that pairs well with any dish that you'd normally serve rice with.
Get The Recipe
close up of cilantro lime cauliflower rice in a black skillet with a wood spoon
Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Spanish Cauliflower Rice is a quick and easy side dish recipe to serve with all of your favorite low carb Mexican and southwestern meals. With only 9 net carbs per serving, it’s keto friendly and naturally dairy and gluten free.
Get The Recipe
Spanish cauliflower rice in a wood bowl over a blue and white striped towel over a wood board with a fork next to the bowl
Garlic Cauliflower Rice
This low carb dish is filled with delicious garlicky flavor and is an easy replacement for regular rice. Garlic Cauliflower Rice is quick to make and an easy recipe to follow. This simple side dish pairs well with most main dishes and may also be adapted to your liking.
Get The Recipe
Close up of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl

Love this Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice Recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Close up of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice in a white bowl.
Print

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice is an easy-to-make low carb side dish. Made with riced cauliflower, broccoli, and plenty of cheddar cheese, this rich and creamy recipe is also naturally gluten free.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 338kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups cauliflower (rice, see notes)
  • 2 cups broccoli (riced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. 
    1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Add the cauliflower and broccoli rices and season with the salt and pepper.
    4 cups cauliflower, 2 cups broccoli, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Cook, stirring often, until just tender - about 8-9 minutes.
  • Transfer the rice mixture to a bowl, wipe the pan clean, and return it to medium heat on the stove top.
  • Add the butter. Once melted, whisk in the heavy whipping cream and mustard powder until well blended. Continue to cook another minute or two or until hot and bubbly.
    4 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Whisk in the cheddar cheese until melted and well blended.
    8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
  • Stir back in the cauliflower and broccoli and coat evenly in the cheese sauce.
  • Continue to cook an additional 2-3 minutes, or until everything is well combine and heated through.

Notes

Tips & Techniques

  • You can reference this post on How to Rice Cauliflower, if needed.
  • Shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Cheese from a block melts better and doesn’t contain any added starches.
  • Use fresh cauliflower and broccoli rather than frozen for the best results.
  • Add in some cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, sausage, or diced ham for added protein, flavor, and heartiness!
  • Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1093IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 313mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally posted on April 1. 2019. It was updated with new images, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques and FAQ’s in January 2023.

Related Posts

Close up of a scoop of broccoli casserole being lifted up with a wood turner.
Keto Broccoli Casserole
Easy garlic chicken breasts in a skillet.
Easy Garlic Chicken + VIDEO
Overhead of a plate of loaded cauliflower bites with a fork.
Loaded Cauliflower Bites
Close up of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl
Garlic Cauliflower Rice
Brussels sprouts with bacon in a cast iron skillet on a marble backdrop
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Jenny H. says

    January 28, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    I wish I had read the nutritional info before making this. It is 520 calories per serving and 12 grams of carb. Not very LOW carb! It was delicious, but too high in carbs to be low carb. No wonder I’m feeling so full after dinner tonight :-/

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      January 28, 2021 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Jenny. The nutritional information is for 1/4th of recipe. So, if you ate that much, then the *estimate* is 520 calories and 12 TOTAL carbs, or 8 NET CARBS (after you subtract fiber). If you ate 1/6 or 1/8, then it would vary, of course.
      This is absolutely considered low carb and the majority of the carbs come from the vegetables. Again, it’s an estimate that is pulled from a nutritional database and is not brand specific. To get the exact nutritional information, you’d have to use a nutritional calculator and plug in the brands you use and exact amounts.

      Reply
      • Cindy says

        June 28, 2022 at 7:20 pm

        I agree.. totally low carb for me, I count Net carbs and 8 is low enough 👍🏼 Trying this tonight.

        Reply
        • Lauren Vavala says

          June 29, 2022 at 8:06 am

          Thanks Cindy! I think some people forget that low carb is not always keto. And, if you used actual rice, the carb count would be MUCH higher. I hope you love the recipe!!

          – Lauren

          Reply
  2. Susn says

    January 24, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Ocean I freeze this?

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      January 24, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      Hi Susn. You can freeze this, but cheese tends to change in texture once reheated..it may be more grainy, but the flavor will stay good.

      Reply
  3. J slabaugh says

    January 22, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    This was absolutely delicious,will be making this again and again!

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      January 24, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      Thank you! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  4. FloridaMomof3 says

    July 19, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    This was great and VERY Filling!
    Honestly, hubby wasn’t impressed but he is a tough one LOL
    Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      July 20, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Thank you! Super cheesy stuff isn’t my fiance’s favorite either – I just say, more for me! Haha!

      Reply
  5. Rachel says

    April 15, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    What is the serving size of this?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 15, 2019 at 1:48 pm

      Hi Rachel – I wish there was a way to make this a little more clear/obvious/accurate to readers AND to myself because we get asked this once in awhile usually in regards to nutritional information. Because recipes are made out of my home and not in a test kitchen with a more precise way of figuring these things out, I based the nutritional information off of 1/4th of the recipe as written. So, divide the final dish into 4 equal parts for 4 servings. I hope this helps a little – Lauren

      Reply
      • Sonia says

        August 11, 2019 at 8:06 pm

        What is the serving size in grs? Thanks

        Reply
        • Lauren says

          August 12, 2019 at 2:29 pm

          I’m sorry Sonia, I can’t really answer that for you. Nutritional information is calculated automatically based upon the ingredient name and amount for each that I enter. It’s then divided by the total number of servings. It’s just an estimate since I work out of my own kitchen and not a professional test kitchen/lab.

          Reply
  6. Neli Howard says

    April 6, 2019 at 4:07 am

    WOW!! Such an incredible side dish!! My family would LOVE this! thanks!

    Reply
  7. Natalie says

    April 6, 2019 at 2:19 am

    I love caulirice! Looks so delicious and healthy!

    Reply
  8. Beth says

    April 6, 2019 at 1:12 am

    This is going to be a huge hit in my home! We could eat this as a meal – need to try this ASAP!

    Reply
  9. Adriana says

    April 6, 2019 at 12:45 am

    Perfect recipe idea! The cheese makes it kid-friendly. My grandson is picky with veggies but he loves cheese, so this would be the way to serve him vegetables to his meal.

    Reply
  10. Mikayla says

    April 6, 2019 at 12:42 am

    What a yummy side dish! Love the alternative to carb heavy white rice. And it’s so simple!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

as seen on


Copyright ©2023, Delicious Little Bites. All Rights Reserved.