Are you wondering how to make the most creamy, cheesy rice? Of course you are. Here is one of our favorite recipes to really highlight the inherently cheesy, umami flavor of nutritional yeast to make a comforting, yummy dish.
Serve this Vegan Cheesy Rice alongside some steamed broccoli, with beans or tofu, and enjoy solo for an awesome little meal. This recipe will have vegans and omnivores alike singing the praises of our favorite condiment: nooch, nutritional yeast… otherwise known as ‘vegan gold.’
What is Nutritional Yeast?
To learn more about nutritional yeast, check out our comprehensive post that discusses our favorite vegan gold, and answer the questions: what is nutritional yeast? You’ll find out the how’s and why’s of this funky food, and learn more about why it’s such a coveted pantry item for vegans the world over.
Basically, you can think of nutritional yeast as vegan parmesan: you can sprinkle it atop your favorite noodles, use in dressings and marinades, douse your fresh veggies and beans, and use as a functional ingredient in dishes like Vegan Frittata, vegan strata, vegan macaroni and cheese, tofu ‘feta,‘ soups, and so many more recipes.
Vegan Cheesy Rice
1 cup organic brown rice, soaked one hour or more
1½ cups water
Pinch of salt
2 Teaspoons chopped, fresh thyme or dill (or both!)
2 Tablespoons Earth Balance, other vegan butter, or olive oil
¼ cup nutritional yeast
- Bring water to a boil and add salt.
- Add rice, cover, and lower heat to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add thyme, dill, Earth Balance, and nutritional yeast and stir. Let stand for 5 minutes until thyme is thoroughly wilted and butter is melted.
- Share and Enjoy! Serve with a pile of fresh or roasted veggies, beans, or alone!
Is there anything you would suggest subbing for the Earth Balance? My boyfriend is weird about any processed ingredients so this recipe would be perfect if I could figure out something to sub in for that one!
Hi Blair- you could substitute coconut oil or olive oil for the earth balance for a less processed product. You could also use some coconut milk- these will give it a coconutty flavor, but I am a big fan of the coconut + nooch combination!
You had me at NOOCH!
And I second olive oil! I do a version of this sometimes with olive oil instead of EB, and usually with some steamed broccoli, because nooch and broccoli are best friends in my kitchen.
This was delicious! I used Basmati rice, coconut oil instead of Earth Balance, and the thyme, not the dill. Very yummy!
I am so glad you liked it Kaitlyn! It’s a staple meal in our little kitchen! Thanks for reading! adb