One-Pot Cheesy Vegetable Rice with Peas and Carrots

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-28 · Updated 2026-06-28

A creamy, cheesy one-pot rice dish loaded with vibrant peas and carrots, ideal for a quick, wholesome weeknight meal that kids will enjoy. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs long grain white rice, carrots, frozen peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until foaming. Add 1 cup diced carrots and sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup long grain white rice, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp onion powder to the pan. Stir to coat the rice and carrots in butter.
3. Step 3: Pour in 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the peas are heated through.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving warm.