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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!
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.
KDog says
Made this and was surprisingly pleased. It worked out great. While rice was on low, I combined the zucchini, cheese and garlic powder (I added too much garlic powder and won’t do that next time). When rice was done, just laid all the stuff on top, turned off heat and waited 10/12 minutes and the stirred all together. Turned out great.
Wendy rauhut says
My mil just dropped off a gian zucchini and I had no idea what to do with it. Made this rice and everyone enjoyed it. Great way to get veggies into my youngest.
Karly says
That’s great to hear! So glad you all enjoyed it!
Three Links says
A great way to use leftover zucchini.
peafur says
This looks amazing.
Toots says
I’ve had this saved in my Pinterest for a while now and finally decided tonight to make it. I so wanted to like this but the zucchini just overpowered. I tried adding a little extra cheese but it didn’t help.
Kathleen says
Hi Karly! I was so happy to find your blog today through Kyndra on peace Love and Low Carb so I quickly signed up and thanks so much for the free e-book of recipes. They all sound amazing and I know I’ll try them all. I just went to the store to get a few things and all I needed to make your sausage egg roll recipe and can’t wait to make and I’m making the cheesy zuchinni rice tomorrow with stuffed apple cinnamon chicken breasts I picked up on sale at Sprouts I just got to glance a bit at your site but OMG . I can’t wait to spend some time on it. Yum Thanks so much & Looking forward to your posts!!!??
lynn Gragg says
is the zucchini cooked..dumb question I kno? lol???
Karly says
Nope, just shred a raw zucchini and add it to the pot with the hot rice.
Julia says
If I was to use riced cauliflower how do you think that would work with the chicken broth? Would it absorb?
Quinn says
I’ve got this simmering on the stove right now and it smells great! The weather in central IL is bizarre right now (we literally have burgers on the grill outside! in January!!), so comfort food is a must. Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
Karly says
We almost grille out last night too, but I waited until it was too dark. 🙁 Hope you enjoyed the burgers and the rice!
Laura says
You had me at cheesy and Zucchini!!!! YUM!
Christine says
I added Ranch seasoning to this and loved it! Also thinking spinach instead of zuchinni could be a nice variation
Karly says
Great addition!
Emily says
Made a double batch of this today! First batch as a side dish tonight. Second batch wil be mixed with ground beef and some stewed tomatoes and will be used to stuff zucchini boats! So yummy!
Karly says
Ooh, I love the zucchini boats idea!
Luci says
Your zucchini rice recipe was SOOO delicious that I had to make another batch as soon as The first one finished cooking! A great way to use leftover zucchini.
Karly says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Kim B says
This looks amazing. But I normally like our dinners to be higher in protein. Has anyone tried adding in ground turkey or beef to this recipe? Would the flavors meld well? Or would chicken go better with this? Thanks!
Karly says
I’ve always served this as a side dish to meat, but I would think ground turkey or chicken would work fine in here. Flavors should be great!
johna says
Made this for four picky kids who do NOT eat green “stuff”, it was a hit with all four! Thanks for giving me a new, easy rice recipe.
Karly says
Yay! Glad they enjoyed it!