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Creamy Thermos Cheesy Broccoli Rice Lunch – Easy Meal Prep

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A creamy, cheesy broccoli rice lunch designed to stay hot and delicious in a thermos for hours. Perfect for meal prep, this recipe uses simple ingredients and avoids sogginess with smart techniques.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (day-old preferred)
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
  • ¼ cup water or vegetable broth

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice: If starting from scratch, cook 1 cup of dry rice according to package directions to yield about 3 cups. Slightly undercook by 2 minutes, then spread on a baking sheet to cool.
  2. Steam the broccoli: Chop broccoli into small florets. In a small skillet, add broccoli and ¼ cup water or broth. Cover and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain any excess liquid immediately.
  3. Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until nutty and sand-like. Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, steamed broccoli, and cheese sauce. Stir gently until evenly coated. Add a splash of milk if too thick; let sit if too thin.
  5. Preheat the thermos: Fill thermos with boiling water, screw on lid, and let sit for 5 minutes. Dump water and dry inside quickly before filling.
  6. Fill the thermos: Spoon hot rice mixture into preheated thermos, packing down gently to eliminate air pockets. Fill to the top, screw lid on tightly. Lunch stays hot for 4-5 hours.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture. Shred cheese from a block to avoid graininess. Don’t overcook broccoli—it continues cooking in the thermos. Preheat thermos with boiling water for 5 minutes before filling. Fill thermos to the brim for better heat retention. Store rice mixture in fridge for up to 4 days; do not freeze. Add a splash of milk when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: thermos lunch, meal prep, cheesy broccoli rice, hot lunch, easy lunch recipe, creamy rice, kid-friendly lunch

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-thermos-cheesy-broccoli-rice-lunch-easy-meal-prep/