Creamy Broccoli & Rice
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This Creamy Broccoli & Rice is a one-pot vegan dinner that is filled with chickpeas, rice, broccoli and a creamy non-dairy sauce!
If you want some cozy comfort food in your life, that is slightly lightened up, then you need to make this Creamy Broccoli & Rice! It gives Rice-a-Roni vibes, but it is homemade and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce. This is a family-friendly recipe that serves a crowd! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and leftover lunches!
Step One: Prep
There is actually very little prep for this recipe. Chop up an onion and some broccoli – and if you buy your broccoli pre-cut, you’ll have even less to do.
Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika & pepper and cook down for 2 minutes. Pour in the rice, orzo & pasta and brown for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
I used angel hair pasta as the third “rice” element. By using all three, you get that Rice-a-Roni vibe.
Step Two: Cook
Once the rice is browned, it is time to add everything else. Be sure to use a BIG stock pot! This will help you when it comes time to mix everything.
Add canned chickpeas & broccoli and mix to combine everything. Pour in broth and gently press everything down so it is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, cover, lower the heat and steam for 30 minutes.
Try not to peek in the pot! This will let out the steam and make it harder for the rice to cook.
Step Three: Finish & Serve
Now, we just need to add a creamy element. This is what makes this recipe extra cozy. I used vegan cream cheese and non-dairy cream. If you can’t find non-dairy cream, you can always sub non-dairy milk!
Remove the lid and add the cream & cream cheese. Mix until everything is combined. Taste and adjust the salt & pepper. You may need salt depending on the type of broth you used.
You can serve this right away! At my house we eat these leftovers for a few days and there are zero complaints. This reheats well and is still super yummy a couple days after making it!
Tips & Tricks
I used non-dairy heavy whipping cream from Trader Joe’s. My other favorite brand is Ripple. If you use non-dairy milk instead, be sure that it is unsweetened.
Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:
Creamy Broccoli & Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil I used avocado oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup white rice
- 1/2 cup orzo
- 1/2 cup angel hair pasta broken into rice-sized pieces
- 2 15-ounce can chickpeas drained & rinsed
- 12 ounces broccoli cut in florets
- 3 cups broth I used vegan chicken broth
- 3/4 cup non-dairy cream or sub non-dairy milk
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese I used Kite Hill
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion & dry seasonings and cook down for 2 minutes. Pour in the rice, orzo & pasta and brown for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the chickpeas & broccoli and mix to combine everything. Pour in the broth and gently press everything down so it is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, cover, lower the heat and steam for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and add the cream & cream cheese. Mix until everything is combined. Taste and adjust the salt & pepper.
- Serve hot with extra pepper on top.
Video
Notes
- I used non-dairy heavy whipping cream from Trader Joe’s. My other favorite brand is Ripple. If you use non-dairy milk instead, be sure that it is unsweetened.
I made this into a low carb version (for my diabetic husband) using riced cauliflower, riced hearts of palm and angel hair hearts of palm. It was delicious and everybody loved it. I also used coconut milk.
So perfect for this super cold weather we’re having right now. I made it tonight with a few substitutions with what I had on hand. Total comfort!
Thanks so much! So glad you loved it!