rice | side dish | vegetables | zucchini
cheesy zucchini rice
As side dishes go, this cheesy zucchini rice is pretty much perfect! It’s one pot, super easy to make, goes with everything, and is incredibly delicious. The texture is so perfect, too… creamy and smooth and velvety. As much as I love zucchini, I really like that the zucchini in this dish kind of slips into the background and lets the cheesy goodness shine instead. It sure makes it easier to convince the kids that they’re just eating rice, instead of a bunch of zucchini. 🙂 I’ve been making this rice for over a year now and it continues to be one of my very favorite easy side dishes. It’s super great for those busy nights when I’m throwing dinner together and need something quick and nutritious!
Cheesy Zucchini Rice
adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe1 cup white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 medium or 2 small zucchini, grated (about 2 cups)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt + pepper to taste
1-2 tablespoons milkIn a medium sauce pan, combine rice and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 15-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in zucchini, cheese, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Stir in milk if needed to thin out the sauce. Serve warm.
yum! what a great way to sneak veggies in!
if you are using this to sneek in veggys i would suggest use a little less zucchini.
So easy and so yummy! Even my picky eater loved it. We will be adding this to the weeknight rotation. Thank you! 🙂
Any reason I couldn't use brown rice for this?
I'm going to try instant brown rice tonight…I'll let ya know how mine turns out.
Hmm… wondering if I could use grated butternut squash in this recipe?? Gonna try it!
Awesome! Let me know if it turns out!
I usually don't make side dishes because it's just too much to cook or not something we'll want to have over and over again… but this was GREAT!! I only used about 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper, and about 1/2 cup cheese, but followed the rest of the recipe. We loved it and will be enjoying over and over again!! Thanks for posting! 🙂
Does anyone know how many servings this makes? Enough for 5 adults and two 2 year olds?
going to try this tonight.
Hi, I was wondering why the zucchini doesn't get cooked first? Thanks!
The shredded zucchini cooks pretty fast when it's stirred into the hot rice. I didn't find mine to be crunchy at all.
I'm going to try this with brown rice….do you know how much extra chicken broth I need to add??! Thanks so much!
Has any one tried this with veggie broth for the vegetarian in the family?
Sounds really good. Will be trying this recipe for sure! Thanks!
I just did 5 minute version! V happy to share… Leftover rice with grated courgette (European for zucchini) grated cheese salt pepper grated garlic. Heat small cup milk with tiny bit of veg stock cube. Pour on and heat for 1 minute. Delicious (struggling with dentures.. this is a welcome change)
I'm recovering from jaw surgery with an appliance in the roof of my mouth, and this is one of the first things I've been able to eat as I've progressed from liquids to "soft foods" that don't really require chewing. I put the zucchini through the food processor so it was more puréed than grated, and it worked great. It was also super quick and easy! Thank you for something I can eat other than pudding and mashed potatoes 🙂
Oh, my goodness! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and I'm so glad that you found something you like to eat!
I'm having a medical procedure done this week and this dish is quick, easy, and with my diet… Healthy. It's literally going to be a life saver for me. Thank you sooo much for sharing.
I used zoodles, long grain and brown rice, and it's great! A softer bite would need the zucchini grated.
How many servings does this recipe make? I’m making this later today for a family get-together tomorrow. Anyone?
How many servings does this make? Anyone? I want to make it later today for a family get-together tomorrow
Vegetarian here. I made it tonight with water because I didn’t have veggie broth and it was good. It would be even better with veggie broth!
Vegetarian here. I made it with water because I didn’t have veggie broth and it was good. It would be even better with the flavors of veggie broth!
it's a winner. Great dish.
it's a winner.
Thoughts on shredded frozen zucchini?
I know your comment is old, but I always look through every comment on recipes to find answers so I’m gonna answer! I used shredded Frozen zucchini I thawed a day or two ago and had to use up and it worked great! I strained in a mesh strainer for a few minutes, then in a dosh towel and wrang it out as much as I could. Honestly he rice could’ve used a bit more moisture since I should’ve doubled for my family and was trying to stretch it lol. But Frozen works great everyone!
Wonderful recipe
Can you use minute rice? If so, do you still do the 2 cups of broth to 1 cup of rice?
Follow the directions for the rice/water ratio on the box of minute rice.