Few dishes capture the essence of Southern comfort food like Cracker Barrel’s legendary Broccoli Cheese Casserole. This beloved restaurant favorite combines tender broccoli florets with fluffy rice, all enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with golden, buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. Now you can recreate this crowd-pleasing casserole in your kitchen, bringing the warmth and satisfaction of Cracker Barrel’s country cooking straight to your dinner table.
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What Makes the Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole So Special?
Nothing is more comforting than a hot casserole straight out of the oven, and this Cracker Barrel Broccoli and Cheese Casserole won’t disappoint! When you combine the creamy, cheesy sauce with broccoli and rice, then top it with crispy butter crackers, you have something extraordinary.
If you’ve ever ordered this dish at Cracker Barrel and wished you could make it yourself, now you can. Anyone who has never tried it at the restaurant is in for a real treat!Â
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Ingredients
For the Rice Base:
- White rice – Creates the hearty foundation that absorbs flavors while providing satisfying substance
- Cream of chicken soup, canned – Provides rich, savory base with built-in seasoning and creamy texture
- Whole milk – Thins the soup to a perfect sauce consistency while adding richness
- American cheese – Melts smoothly into velvety sauce without breaking or becoming grainy
- Fresh broccoli – Adds vibrant color, essential nutrients, and tender-crisp texture contrast
- Colby cheese, shredded – Melts beautifully and adds an extra cheese flavor layer
- Ritz crackers – Create the signature buttery, crunchy topping that defines this dish
- Unsalted butter – Binds cracker crumbs while adding rich, golden flavor
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Fresh broccoli is best, but you can use frozen broccoli in a pinch.
Feel free to use another brand of butter crackers, like Club Crackers.
Make it extra cheesy by using cheddar cheese soup instead of cream of chicken soup.
Cook a couple of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and add them to the casserole to transform it from a side to an entree.
How to Make the Casserole
To prep a Cracker Barrel Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the rice according to the package. For convenience, use a rice cooker if you have one.
- While the rice is cooking, wash and shake dry the broccoli head. Divide the broccoli into individual florets and cut larger florets in half; reserve for later use.Â
- Add the cream of chicken soup, whole milk, and American cheese to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the cheese melts.
- Once the American cheese has melted, stir in the broccoli florets and cook for about 8 minutes, or until the broccoli has softened.Â
- Remove the broccoli sauce from the heat and cover the saucepan to keep warm.
- Spread the cooked white rice in an even layer on the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Allow the rice to cool in the baking dish for about five minutes.
- Pour the broccoli sauce over the rice. Use a spatula to smooth the top, but try not to mix the rice and broccoli sauce.Â
- Sprinkle the shredded Colby cheese over the top. At this point, you can bake the casserole immediately or let it cool completely and store it.
- Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat, and add the butter.
- While the butter is melting, crush the crackers into crumbs. Crush the crackers while still in the sleeve, or place them in a plastic bag to prevent a mess.Â
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and dump the cracker crumbs into it. Gently stir to coat thoroughly with melted butter. Â
- Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cracker crumbs are lightly browned.Â
- Let the casserole slightly cool on a wire rack, and then serve.
Understanding Your Ingredients
- Rice Selection: Long-grain white rice is best suited, as it retains its shape and doesn’t become mushy during baking. Avoid instant rice, which can become gummy in casseroles.
- Broccoli Options: Fresh broccoli offers the best texture and flavor, but frozen broccoli can be a suitable substitute in a pinch. If using frozen, thaw and drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
- Cheese Considerations: American cheese is crucial for the smooth, creamy sauce that won’t break during baking. Don’t substitute with other cheese types for the sauce base, though the Colby topping can be varied.
What to Serve With a Cracker Barrel Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
One of the great things about casseroles is that they are one-dish meals. However, you can add a few sides if you’d like. Here are three good options:
- Bread. Flaky biscuits or fluffy dinner rolls are a great addition to this casserole.
- Asparagus. Add a side of grilled, oven-roasted, or air-fried with your favorite seasonings.
- Spinach Salad. Be sure to get your greens with a nice light spinach salad.
Make-Ahead Strategies
Complete Assembly:Â Assemble the entire casserole by adding shredded cheese, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add cracker topping just before baking for optimal crispness.
Component Preparation: Cook the rice and prepare the cheese sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store separately and assemble when ready to bake.
Freezer-Friendly: This casserole freezes exceptionally well. Prepare multiple casseroles during meal prep sessions for convenient future meals.
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Leftovers
- Refrigerator Storage: Store covered casserole for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.
- Freezer Storage: Wrap assembled but unbaked casserole in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Reheating Method: Cover the thawed casserole with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the topping.
More Cracker Barrel Copycat Recipes
- Cracker Barrel Biscuits
- Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
- Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
- Cracker Barrel Pot Roast
Favorite Casserole Recipes
- Cabbage Roll Casserole
- Cheeseburger Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Chili Relleno Casserole
- Creamed Corn Casserole
- Easy Taco Casserole
- Hamburger Green Bean Casserole
- Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Check out more of my easy casserole recipes and the best copycat Cracker Barrel recipes on CopyKat!
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole – Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 16 ounces whole milk
- 16 ounces American cheese
- 8 ounces broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 32 Ritz crackers or 1 standard sleeve, crushed
- 4 ounces butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the cream of chicken soup, whole milk, and American cheese in a large pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the broccoli and cook for about 8 minutes.
- Place the cooked rice in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the broccoli mixture over the rice and top with shredded Colby cheese.
- Place the crushed crackers and melted butter in a bowl and mix well until the crackers are well coated. Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs over the casserole.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the crackers turn golden brown.
Do I bake covered or uncovered?
I would bake uncovered.
Is it ok to use 1%/2% milk?
You could use it, but the results won’t be the same.
There is NO rice in this dish from Cracker Barrel. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what it is they use as a binding ingredient but it’s definitely not rice.
Are you thinking of the Cracker Barrel Broccoli Chicken Casserole? This is a new side dish they have, and it is for broccoli rice casserole.
Yes it does…https://www.crackerbarrel.com/menu/family-meals/family-meal-sides/broccoli-cheese-casserole?productid=53283347