Irresistibly Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole You’ll Crave

Cheesy broccoli rice casserole is a comforting dish loved by families all over America.

Busy parents and those who cook at home love this one-pan meal that mixes healthy veggies with creamy, tasty ingredients.

With soft rice, fresh broccoli, and gooey cheese, it’s a mix of flavors and textures that everyone enjoys.

Casseroles have been part of American cooking for ages, bringing warmth to family dinners and weekday meals.

This dish turns simple items into a memorable meal that’s both old-fashioned and modern.

Easy to make and adaptable, the cheesy broccoli rice casserole can be tweaked with extra ingredients to fit different tastes and diets.

Why Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Hits The Spot

• Quick Family Pleaser: Transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that kids and adults will love.
• Minimal Prep Delight: Requires basic cooking skills with straightforward steps, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or novice cooks.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Easily adaptable recipe that works as a hearty side dish or main course, suitable for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinner parties.
• Time-Saving Solution: Combines pre-cooked rice and frozen broccoli with a creamy cheese sauce, reducing overall cooking time to under an hour while delivering maximum flavor.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredient Must-Haves

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creamy base for the casserole, adds rich flavor and helps bind ingredients.
• Velveeta Cheese: Provides smooth, melty cheese sauce with consistent texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp cheese flavor and creates golden topping.

• Rice: Hearty base that absorbs cheese sauce, preferably day-old or long-grain white rice.
• Broccoli: Adds nutrition and green color, slightly thawed frozen broccoli works best.

• Onion: Optional ingredient for extra depth of flavor, can be fresh or dried.
• French's Fried Onions: Provides crunchy, golden topping with classic onion taste.

• Milk: Helps create smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing overall flavor profile.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Easy Directions

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and generously coat it with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Create Dreamy Cheese Sauce

• Diced onions
• Cream of chicken soup
• Whole milk
• Velveeta cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and cook until the mixture becomes smooth and heated through.

Step 3: Mix in Hearty Ingredients

• Cooked white rice
• Slightly thawed broccoli florets

Stir until everything is evenly coated and well combined.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top. Generously scatter French’s fried onions over the cheese layer.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbling. If the fried onions start turning too dark, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Scoop onto plates and savor the creamy, cheesy goodness.

Tips That Help Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Shine

• Customize Rice Consistency: Opt for day-old rice to prevent sogginess and ensure a perfect texture in your casserole.
• Prevent Cheese Separation: Stir cheese sauce continuously on low-medium heat to maintain smooth, creamy consistency without clumping.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Add diced chicken or cooked ground turkey for extra protein and make the dish more substantial.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace cream of chicken soup with homemade cream sauce or gluten-free alternative to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Control Moisture Level: Drain broccoli thoroughly after thawing to avoid excess liquid that could make casserole runny.

Best Way To Store Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Method: Portion out desired amount, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Tasty Sides For Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Pair with Roasted Chicken: Select a herb-roasted chicken with crispy skin that balances the creamy casserole's richness. The lean protein and subtle herbs will cut through the dish's cheesy texture.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with bright acidity to refresh the palate between creamy bites. These wines' light, zesty notes will cleanse your taste buds.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light mixed salad with spring greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette. The fresh, crunchy elements will provide a delightful contrast to the warm, soft casserole.
• Add Garlic Bread on Side: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up extra cheese sauce. Its crispy exterior and buttery garlic flavor will complement the casserole's creamy consistency.

Different Takes On Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Veggie-Loaded Version: Replace chicken soup with vegetable broth and use dairy-free cheese for a vegetarian-friendly casserole packed with extra mixed vegetables like carrots and cauliflower.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap cream of chicken soup for a homemade gluten-free cream sauce using cornstarch and use gluten-free fried onions to maintain the same crunchy topping texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice and use reduced-fat cheese to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version that still delivers rich, creamy flavors.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add diced sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with oregano to transform the traditional recipe into a Mediterranean-inspired side dish with vibrant Mediterranean notes.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole FAQ List

• Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh broccoli. Just steam or blanch it briefly before adding to the casserole to ensure it’s tender and cooked through.

• Is Velveeta cheese necessary for this recipe?

While Velveeta provides a creamy texture, you can substitute it with cream cheese or a mix of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for a similar result.

• Can this casserole be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

• How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or celery soup, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken-based products to create a vegetarian version.

Delicious Classic Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets nutrition in this mouthwatering Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole that blends creamy cheese, tender broccoli, and fluffy rice into one irresistible dish. Hearty and satisfying, it brings warmth to your table with each delicious spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice
• 1 (16-ounce / 454 grams) package frozen chopped broccoli or florets, slightly thawed
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 4–6 ounces (113–170 grams) Velveeta cheese

Soup and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 (10.5-ounce / 298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk

Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Frenchs fried onions, for topping

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a rectangular glass baking vessel with cooking lubricant.
2. Craft a velvety base by melting Velveeta into cream of chicken soup, incorporating milk, and seasoning with salt and pepper over moderate flame.
3. Gently fold cooked rice and partially defrosted broccoli florets into the molten cheese mixture, ensuring uniform distribution.
4. Smoothly transfer the creamy concoction into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
5. Generously crown the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese, then cascade crispy French’s fried onions across the surface for textural contrast.
6. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing the casserole to transform for 35-40 minutes until edges bubble and top turns golden.
7. Should the onion topping darken too quickly, drape a loose aluminum foil shield over the casserole to prevent burning.
8. Extract from oven and permit the dish to settle and harmonize flavors for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the intense cheese sauce to stabilize.

Notes

• Prep rice in advance by cooking a day ahead to save time and ensure perfectly fluffy texture when mixing into the casserole.
• Customize the dish for vegetarian diets by substituting cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or a homemade vegetable-based cream sauce.
• For a healthier version, swap Velveeta with sharp cheddar cheese and use Greek yogurt instead of milk to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 325
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg