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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Jul 16, 2019 | Modified: Mar 30, 2020

    Quick and Easy Pesto Broccoli Rice

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    Pesto Broccoli Rice makes a full of flavor low carb side dish that is super versatile. Quick and easy to pull together, pesto broccoli rice pairs perfectly with some grilled chicken or salmon, thrown into an omelet, or even sprinkled on a pizza for added pizazz.

    Pesto broccoli rice served in a small white bowl with a sprig of basil on top
    The perfect accompaniment to some grilled chicken or salmon.

    We love serving this broccoli rice with pesto with these Lemon and Oregano Chicken Skewers straight from the BBQ. It makes the perfect light and fresh accompaniment.

    What Is Riced Broccoli?

    In a nutshell, it is broccoli that has been chopped or processed in a blender until it resembles rice.

    There are a number of ways to prepare it.

    Get a detailed explanation here of how to do it by hand, in a food processor, or with a blender.

    Storage tips are covered as well so you make the best of your broccoli rice creation.

    The biggest thing I can recommend is having a good food processor to get consistent-sized pieces of broccoli.

    overhead shot of a food processor with chopped broccoli inside
    Riced broccoli or cauliflower makes a great low-carb alternative to rice.

    Do Broccoli And Pesto Go Together?

    Absolutely.

    Not only do broccoli and pesto make the perfect combination in terms of flavor, but they also combine to make a gorgeous green side and they pack a punch in terms of nutrition as well.

    Win-win.

    broccoli rice being sauteed in a small white saucepan

    Ingredients and Assembly

    The best thing about this simple side is that you are going to need only a handful of pantry and fridge staples.

    You will need:

    • broccoli rice (get step-by-step instructions here): this is also becoming available to buy pre-made at stores in the cold section of the vegetable aisles and also in the freezer section of most well-stocked grocery stores. It is a little more expensive to buy pre-riced broccoli rice, but it can save on time if you are in a hurry;
    • pesto: I always have some homemade pesto on hand from whatever greens I happen to have growing in the garden, but store-bought pesto is always an option as well if you prefer not to make your own;
    • parmesan cheese: I always recommend grating your own to avoid the powderiness of pre-grated cheese, but you do what works for you;
    • olive oil: or other preferred oil of choice;
    • lemon wedges for serving.

    To bring it together you are simply going to sauté the riced broccoli in a large skillet over medium heat, add the pesto sauce followed by the parmesan and salt and pepper.

    Only add as much pesto as you think the dish needs.

    This will be a personal preference.

    pesto broccoli rice served in a small white bowl against a wooden background

    Homemade Pesto

    I love making homemade pesto and tend to use up whatever we have too much of in the garden.

    For this version, I used my kale and walnut pesto and it paired perfectly.

    A fresh basil pesto would work wonderfully with this broccoli pesto also.

    Here are a couple more varieties for you to check out:

    • Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto
    • Oregano Pesto
    • Fragrant Fennel Fronds Pesto
    • 4 Ingredient Homemade Mint Pesto

    Use what you have on hand, some store-bought versions can be delicious as well, just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure there aren't any unnecessary nasties.

    A spoon coming out of a food processor containing a light green carrot top pesto
    Homemade pesto is a great addition to this dish, and the perfect way to use up a surplus in the garden.

    Choosing The Right Broccoli

    Choosing the right broccoli is going to make this simple side dish transform into something phenomenal.

    Look for:

    • Florets that are a nice deep green and are quite tight, you do not want yellow or brown flecks in there;
    • Nice firm stalks, nothing droopy or limp;
    • It should feel heavy for its size;
    • The cut ends of the stalks should be fresh-looking.
    Raw broccoli cut into even florets

    What To Do With Leftover Pesto Broccoli Rice

    Pesto Broccoli Rice makes a perfect little low-carb/full-flavor side dish for jazzing up some chicken or even in a veggie bowl.

    But using up any leftovers can be just as easy.

    Why not try:

    • throwing a big dollop into the base of a pan, top with whisked eggs and milk and you have a delicious omelet for breakfast;
    • stuff it into a wrap alongside some chicken and veg and you have a great little veggie-packed lunch wrap;
    • throw a spoonful into your next batch of savory muffins or scones to amp up the flavor and color.

    If you have any other ideas for using up leftover pesto broccoli rice be sure to leave them in the comments and I will pop them into the notes for everyone to share.

    Happy Eating.

    xx

    Recipe

    Pesto Broccoli Rice in a white bowl on wooden background

    Pesto Broccoli Rice

    Pesto broccoli rice makes a great low carb side dish just bursting with flavor. Use your own homemade pesto or some store-bought variety (just be sure to check the ingredient label to make sure there are no unnecessary nasties).
    5 from 13 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 6 serves
    Calories 42 kcal

    Equipment

    • saucepan
    • food processor if you are making your own broccoli rice and pesto

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups broccoli rice
    • 1 serve walnut and kale pesto (or ¾ cup pesto of choice)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • freshly grated parmesan to taste for serving
    • lemon wedges for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large saucepan set over med heat. Add the broccoli rice and stir. Sauteé the broccoli rice for about 4 minutes until it has softened a bit. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
    • Add the walnut pesto or pesto of choice a ¼ cup at a time into the broccoli rice and give it all a good stir. Stop when you think enough pesto has been added (this will be a personal taste).
    • Season with salt and pepper and more parmesan to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and serve.

    Notes

    Use ¾ cup of any pesto you like (just be sure to check ingredients label).
    Best served asap. Store in an airtight container in the fridge otherwise. For ideas on using up leftovers please see notes in the post where I provide a whole list.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 22mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 54.1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 0.5mg
    Keyword broccoli rice, pesto broccoli
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Don’t forget to follow Whole Food Bellies on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration! Or if Pinterest isn’t your style, bookmark this post! Let’s keep the conversation going- join my Facebook group! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dana says

      July 25, 2019 at 11:42 pm

      This is such a great way to bring broccoli and rice together. A nice change from the usual stir-fry. Sounds excellent for this time of year, too! All of that herbaceous and lemon-y goodness 🙂 Can't wait to give this a whirl!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 29, 2019 at 9:24 am

        Absolutely, enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Trish Bozeman says

      July 24, 2019 at 12:41 am

      Pesto and broccoli go so well together! This is fantastic. I'm going to drop some in my eggs and scramble them up. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 24, 2019 at 12:20 pm

        I love adding them to eggs, so good for some extra flavour!

        Reply
    3. Debra says

      July 23, 2019 at 8:40 am

      YUM! Such a simple and tasty way to get in some nutrition. I love the combo of pesto with riced broccoli. Delish. I do this with cauliflower sometimes, but the green on green really appeals to me. Can't wait to make it.

      Reply
    4. Jenni LeBaron says

      July 23, 2019 at 6:19 am

      I love this! We are a mostly grain-free, low carb household and this broccoli recipe would go over beautifully as a side dish for both me and the fella. Can't wait to add it to the meal rotation!

      Reply
    5. Marisa F. Stewart says

      July 23, 2019 at 1:00 am

      A fantastic side dish to serve with any of the summer grilled meats. I haven't made broccoli rice although we have plenty of pesto at our house. We are having grilled tuna tonight and the pesto broccoli would be great with it.

      Reply
    6. Daniela says

      July 22, 2019 at 5:53 am

      Such a great idea! Full of nutrients too. I love your idea for using it in a wrap, so I'm going to make a batch as soon as possible to meal prep some wraps for the rest of the week. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 22, 2019 at 10:02 am

        It makes such a great addition to a wrap, nice and filling and nutritious!!

        Reply
    7. Sandra Shaffer says

      July 21, 2019 at 6:19 am

      Packed with flavor and such a nice change from the cauliflower rice that I usually make. Thank you for giving me another low carb side dish option. Love my veggies!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 22, 2019 at 10:02 am

        Me too, always nice to change things up!

        Reply
    8. Pam Greer says

      July 21, 2019 at 12:30 am

      This will be our go to side dish!! The broccoli comes out perfect and I had no idea that broccoli and pesto go so good together!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 22, 2019 at 10:02 am

        Oh yay!! Yes they make such a great pairing!

        Reply
    9. Gloria says

      July 16, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      This looks like a great side dish for so many different proteins. Love the colour. The combination of pesto and broccoli is a delicious one for sure. I know this would be a hit in my house.

      Reply
    10. Nellie Tracy says

      July 16, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      Really delicious! Tastes even better than it looks!!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 16, 2019 at 2:11 pm

        Haha yes it doesn't look like much but definitely packs some flavour!

        Reply
    11. Dara Michalski says

      July 16, 2019 at 12:35 pm

      I could eat this every day! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 16, 2019 at 2:12 pm

        Me too, super easy recipe to have on hand!

        Reply
    12. alyssa | everydaymaven says

      July 16, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Thanks for linking to my pesto!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        July 16, 2019 at 10:39 am

        Very welcome 🙂

        Reply

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