Broccoli Rice Casserole

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Broccoli Rice Casserole

Looking for a delicious and nutritious way to sneak more vegetables into your diet? Look no further than broccoli rice casserole! This classic dish combines the goodness of tender broccoli florets with flavorful rice and a creamy cheese sauce, resulting in a comforting and satisfying meal.

The perfect side dish for your next potluck or family get together, this Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious addition to any meal.

This crowd pleasing side dish is loaded with rice, sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and who can forget the broccoli. The combination of these flavors is what makes this Broccoli Rice Casserole a dish that will keep them coming back for more.

Broccoli Rice Casserole is the cheesy side dish that my dreams are made of. This is a quick and easy dish to throw together and has multiple options to have you cut down on the time it takes to make it.

I give you the options to use fresh or frozen broccoli to cut down on the prep time. And the option to use rice that you have cooked or to use pre-cooked rice.

And the best part is that either option is delicious. I literally cannot tell the difference in the taste of this riced broccoli casserole when it is made with prepackaged ingredients versus fresh ones.

So if you are looking for an easy recipe for a side dish then give this Broccoli Rice Casserole a chance and you will not be disappointed.

Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients

The flavor in this dish comes from the creamy cheese sauce and the crunchy Ritz cracker topping. I find that using real butter, sharp cheddar cheese, and whole milk products add a rich flavor to this casserole that takes it to the next level.

But if you are wanting to make this a healthier broccoli rice casserole then try substituting brown rice for the white rice. And low fat options for all of the dairy products.

Ingredients

• 3 Cups Cooked Long Grain White Rice **can used precooked or instant rice
• 16 Ounces Broccoli Chopped into bite sized pieces Equal to about 5 cups **can use frozen broccoli
• 1/2 Onion
• 1/4 Cup Salted Butter

Cheese Sauce Ingredients

• 1 Can Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 Cup Cream Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Whole Milk
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Casserole Topping Ingredients

• 1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers
• 1/4 Cup Salted Butter
• 1 Cup Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese

How to make Broccoli Rice Casserole

Prepping Ingredients

I like to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. before I start assembling this broccoli casserole. So I recommend that you do the same.

For this Broccoli Rice Casserole I use a 9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish. I prefer one that comes with a silicone lid because it helps with storage in the event that there are left overs. All that is needed is to make sure that the left over casserole is cool then add the lid and refrigerate.

I also like to prep my 9×13 inch Pyrex Baking Dish with non-stick cooking spray like Pam.

Pre-cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stove top using a large saucepan with a lid. If you want to use microwave minute rice that is also a great option for this Casserole.

How to Blanch Broccoli

One of the best things about this Broccoli Rice Casserole is that it is so versatile. I love that I can use fresh or frozen broccoli.

If you are using fresh broccoli you will need to blanch it. This is a quick way to lightly cook the broccoli just enough to soften it. Because the broccoli will continue to cook once added to the casserole and placed into the oven it is best not to cook it too much ahead of time.

I blanch the broccoli by placing it into boiling water for a few minutes.

Using a large sauce pan filled half way with water or at least enough to cover the broccoli, bring the water to a rolling boil. Next add the broccoli and boil it for 2 minutes.

Then remove the broccoli from the boiling water and add to the large mixing bowl along with the cooked rice.

Making the Cheese Sauce

One of the best parts of this broccoli casserole is the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan I add the butter and chopped onion. Over medium high heat I will stir them together, completely coating the onion with the butter. Then cook for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.

In the same saucepan that you cooked the onion add all of the sauce ingredients.

Over Medium high heat I will cook the cheese sauce until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are mixed. This usually takes about two minutes.

If the sauce becomes too think add a little bit more milk, about 1/4 cup to make it thinner. Remove the sauce from the heat and pour it into the bowl with the rice and broccoli.

Finally I will mix the broccoli, rice, and cheese sauce together until they are all combined. Then I will pour the casserole mixture into the 9×13 Pyrex baking dish.

Broccoli Rice Casserole Topping

To make the topping for this broccoli rice casserole I sprinkle the last cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.

I will crush the Ritz crackers and place them into a bowl. In a microwave safe bowl I melt the 1/4 cup of butter. Depending on your microwave this can take 15-30 seconds.

Add the butter to the Ritz crackers and mix completely. Then sprinkle the topping mixture over the top of the broccoli casserole.

Baking Time

Place the broccoli casserole into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes then Enjoy

Frequently Asked Questions

Should rice be cooked before adding to casserole?

Yes the rice used in this Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe does need to be cooked ahead of time. In fact I find that it is best to cook the rice either the day before or to have it be cooled to room temperature.

Rice that is hot becomes mushy when it is manipulated too much. Therefor it is best to at least have the rice to have cooled to room temperature to help preserve its integrity.

Does Frozen Broccoli need to be cooked before adding to casserole?

While frozen broccoli is a great option for making this casserole it does need to be heated in the microwave prior to cooking the casserole.

When frozen broccoli is heated it releases a good amount of water. When this happens the casserole can become watery and soggy something that we want to avoid.

I recommend cooking the frozen broccoli in the microwave according to the package directions. Then drain the excess water prior to adding the broccoli to the mixing bowl.

How long is Broccoli Rice Casserole good for?

Once cooked Broccoli Rice Casserole will last for 3 days in the refrigerator. It does best stored in an air tight container.

To reheat this broccoli casserole I will heat the oven to 300 degrees F. and cook for 5-8 minutes. It is also possible to reheat it in the microwave. This is a great option if you have decided to use this recipe as part of your meal prep for the week.

Does Broccoli Rice Casserole freeze well?

The good news is that yes, broccoli rice casserole can indeed be frozen! Freezing this dish allows you to preserve its flavors and textures while conveniently having it ready to enjoy whenever you desire. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when freezing and reheating this particular casserole.

To successfully freeze broccoli rice casserole, follow these steps:

1. Prepare your broccoli casserole recipe as usual: Start by cooking the rice according to package instructions and steaming or blanching the broccoli until it’s slightly tender but still vibrant green. Then combine these ingredients with your preferred cheese sauce (such as cheddar or cream of mushroom soup) in a baking dish.
2. Allow the broccoli casserole to cool: It’s essential to let the casserole cool down completely before freezing it. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the container, which can lead to freezer burn.
3. Portion the casserole: If you anticipate enjoying individual servings later on, consider dividing the cooled casserole into single-sized portions using freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
4. Wrap tightly and label: Ensure each portion is wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Don’t forget to label each package with the date for easy reference in the future.
5. Store in freezer: Place your wrapped portions in the freezer, making sure they are placed on a flat surface to prevent any spills or leakage. Keep in mind that frozen broccoli rice casserole can be stored for up to 3 months.

What to Serve With This Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Broccoli Rice Casserole

The perfect side dish for your next potluck or family get together, this Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious addition to any meal.

This crowd pleasing side dish is loaded with rice, sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and who can forget the broccoli. The combination of these flavors is what makes this Broccoli Rice Casserole a dish that will keep them coming back for more.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Equipment

• 1 9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish
• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 Large Sauce Pan with Lid
• 1 Rice Cooker Can use this to precook the rice

Ingredients

  

• 3 Cups Cooked Long Grain White Rice Can used precooked or instant rice
• 16 Ounces Broccoli Chopped into bite sized pieces Equal to about 5 cups
• 1/2 Onion
• 1/4 Cup Salted Butter

Cheese Sauce

• 1 Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 Cup Cream Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Whole Milk
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Casserole Topping

• 1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers
• 1/4 Cup Salted Butter
• 1 Cup Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  Spray a 9×13 inch Pyrex Baking Dish with non-stick cooking spray like Pam
• Pre-cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stove top using a large saucepan with a lid. If you want to use microwave minute rice that is also a great option for this Casserole.

  ***See directions below on how to cook rice on the stove top.
• If you are using fresh broccoli you will need to blanch it. This is done by boiling water in a large saucepan on the stove. Add the broccoli and boil it for 2 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and add to the large mixing bowl.

  If you want to make this an even easier and quick recipe you can use frozen broccoli. Just pop it into the microwave but cook it a minute less than the packaging calls for. This ensures that it is not too mushy after it is cooked in the casserole.
• In a large saucepan add the butter and Chopped Onion.

  Over medium high heat stir together completely coating the onion with the butter. Cook until the onion is translucent.
• In the same saucepan that you cooked the onion add all of the sauce ingredients.
• Over Medium high heat cook the cheese sauce until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are mixed. This usually takes about two minutes. If the sauce becomes too think add a little bit more milk, about 1/4 cup to make it thinner.

  Remove the sauce from the heat.
• In a large mixing bowl add the broccoli and rice gently mix the two ingredients then set aside.
• Add the cheese sauce to the same bowl that the broccoli and rice is in.

  Gently mix the ingredients and pour them into the 9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish
• To make the topping

  Sprinkle the last cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.

  Crush the Ritz crackers and place them into a bowl.

  In a microwave safe bowl melt the 1/4 cup of butter. Depending on your microwave this can take 15-30 seconds.

  Add the butter to the Ritz crackers and mix completely.

  Sprinkle the topping mixture over the top of the casserole.
• Place the casserole into the pre-heated oven.

  Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and bubbling.

  Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes then Enjoy

Notes

***To cook rice on the stove top the ratio is one cup of white rice for two cups of water.  This recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked rice.  To achieve this you will need 1 1/2 cups of dry white rice for 3 cups of boiling water.

Place the water into a large sauce pan, add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter.  Once the water is at a boil add the rice, place the lid on top, and reduce the temperature to a simmer.  The term simmer means to reduce the heat to just below the boiling point.

At 18 minutes lift the lid to see if the rice is tender and all of the water is absorbed.  You may need to use a fork to taste test the rice to see if it is cooked through. 

If it is done remove it from heat and fluff with a fork.  If it needs to keep cooking cover it and check every few minutes to see if it is done.  This can take up to 25 minutes.

Keyword Broccoli, Casserole, Dinner Idea, Rice Dish, Side Dish

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