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This CHEESY ZUCCHINI RICE is a universal favorite in our house! It’s a great side dish to use up some of your garden zucchini, but the best part is, with all that cheese your kids will love it!
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I’m not sure if this is, like, standard family business or what, but it is nearly impossible to find a vegetable that all four of us like.
If I get it past my kids, the husband doesn’t like it.
If I get it past the husband, my kids don’t like.
And, if I get it past all three of them, I probably don’t like. 😉
Is everyone else’s life like that too?
Two veggies that we all agree on: broccoli and zucchini!
This cheesy zucchini rice was one of the ways I taught my youngest to love zucchini. I just shredded the zucchini up and snuck into cheesy rice and she didn’t find it at all offensive. Win!
(My chocolate zucchini bread and chocolate zucchini cake are also obvious favorites.)
The zucchini just blends in perfectly, and while you can see the green specks, it doesn’t add a whole ton of flavor or texture, which makes it great for picky kids!
Preparing this side dish
The first thing to do is to get your rice cooked. Toast the rice in a bit of oil and then boil in some chicken broth.
The broth adds a great flavor!
Once the rice is done cooking in the broth you’ll add your butter, garlic, cheese, and fresh zucchini.
Cover this and let it sit for a few minutes then it is ready to serve.
The cheese melts, the zucchini softens, the rice is perfect.
This dish is the perfect side for picky kids and hungry parents!
How to handle your leftovers
Cover tightly and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
The zucchini will soften up even more as you recook it, but it also may make the dish a bit more watery than it initially was.
Helpful Tip!
Picky Kids?
Those green flecks can scare off even the toughest kid. Peel the zucchini to help it blend into the rice even more!
How to make with instant rice
Prefer to work with Minute rice? No problem!
Start by cooking the rice according to the package directions.
When adding the rice to the boiling water, add the zucchini as well.
After the rice is fully cooked fluff it with a fork and stir in the cheese, garlic, and butter. Cover this for a minute or two to melt the cheese and then give it a stir.
Cheesy zucchini rice in about 10 minutes!
More recipes with garden fresh ingredients
The Best Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
Cheesy Zucchini Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium zucchini shredded
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Splash of milk as needed
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add the rice and stir to coat. Toast the rice, stirring often, just until it starts to turn golden.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, turn heat to low, and cover.
- Cook, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and quickly add the butter, grated zucchini, cheddar, and garlic powder.
- Cover and let set for 10 minutes. It's important to cover the rice again quickly to retain some of the steam from cooking.
- Uncover the rice, stir well to combine, and add salt and pepper to taste. If you'd like the rice to have a thinner texture, add a splash of milk.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This recipe was originally published in June 2012. It was updated with new photos in May 2020.
Dana says
Can you use brown rice?
faith says
I only have a massive zucchini…would you say you use about 2 cups of shredded zucchini? Could you possibly add the approximate measurement to your recipe? I’m cooking it right now. Going to add some peas and shredded carrot, maybe a little extra garlic powder. Looking forward to it as a good mac & cheese alternative!
Karly says
I would guess it was about 2 cups, but I’m not sure. You really can’t mess this up. Just add as much zucchini as you like. 🙂
Christine says
I honestly hated this recipe. Not saying it to be mean, just being honest for when other people come to view this, so they see both sides of it. I don’t know if I did something wrong or what but it was inedible. :/ sorry!!
Karly says
Sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you!
Rigo says
I did this rice a couple of week ago and it was so delicious I couldn’t believe it!!! The hubbs had like 3 bowls!!! 🙂 thanks for sharing!!! I will like to make a post with this recipe in my blog www.3polkadots.com
thanks for sharing!!
Golden Gilly Girl says
Eating this now!! Wow it is great. Thanks for posting.
Laura says
Looks really good I’m going to have to try it while zucchini is in season, how many servings do you get out of this recipe?
Karly says
It would make about 5 half cup servings.
Carol says
A good friend of mine just had a baby and I made this to bring to her for a dinner! I saved a little for myself and it’s a winner! Can’t wait to make it again!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I can’t remember if I commented on this before but I just saw this pop up again in my Pinterest feed and was reminded that I can eat my weight in this stuff! My MIL makes it (usually with broccoli) for every family function and I seriously have no willpower. I’m craving it even now…
Karly says
Yes! One of my favorite dishes too! 🙂
Mary Ceverha says
I have a cheesy zucchini rice food baby. That equals “So Yummy!” Thanks! Browning the rice was genious.
Karly says
Thank you! 🙂
Jasmine Ward says
Looks yummy, might try with quinoa. 🙂
Savannah says
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!
Jill says
Yum! Thanks for sharing. Now a staple in my house… I like to refer to it as “garbage sink” rice… As I have added shredded carrots, spinach, anything else in the fridge that I have.
Liz says
Sounds great. Thank you.
golden1 says
Just made this and All I can say is ” DELISH “. I could of ate the whole pot. Next time I’m going to try it with Quinoa instead of rice. I’m sure it will be just as good.
I did use Daiya Cheese just because I can’t have dairy.
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