Quick and easy broccoli cheese rice casserole is a great recipe, it is a side dish you can put together in little time. This comfort food is perfect for family gatherings. This easy side dish has been a part of my holiday gatherings for as long as I can remember.
My easy broccoli rice casserole is a perfect dish because even people who do not enjoy vegetables will eat this great casserole. I know the first time you try this, you will want to make it a part of your family dinners.
To use fresh broccoli, you can simply steam it in a steamer for a couple of minutes before using it. No matter if you use fresh or frozen broccoli, this cheesy broccoli rice casserole is going to become a family favorite.
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Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Quick and Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole is a dish that is perfect for the holidays, or perhaps even a potluck dinner. Making this casserole is one of the best ways that you can get even finicky eaters to take in some broccoli.
I have to tell you a little story about this Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe. This is a variation of the recipe that my Grandmother used to make.
This is one of the rice casserole recipes my grandmother would always make. I can’t imagine a holiday without this broccoli-rice casserole. When I would start to host my own holiday dinners with my family this broccoli rice casserole recipe is the one that I use. Year after year this dish shows up as one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes.
She used instant rice (Minute Rice) in her dish, but my preference is for regular long-grain rice. I think it has a better texture and it reheats better than instant rice. If you wanted to, you could use brown rice.
I made this dish for a potluck when I had very little in the house, and it was a big hit. I know it isn’t the most sophisticated dish, but for me, I know a dish is a winner when the dish comes back empty.
Ingredients for Broccoli Rice Casserole
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Broccoli florets
- white onion
- salted butter or unsalted butter, both work well.
- Velveeta cheese
- Cream of chicken soup – you could use other canned soups like cream of mushroom soup, or cheddar cheese soup
- Cooked white rice – you can use Minute rice, this is a great way to use leftover rice, or you can use long grain rice
CopyKat Ingredient Tips
- You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli, your choice. I love to pick up fresh broccoli and make it for dinner, and if there is some leftover, I will use it for this dish.
- For this recipe, I like to use the store brand of American cheese. While I do like Velveeta brand cheese, I often think that store brands will work well. Store brands like Aldi’s Clancey, or HEB brand are wonderful.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
- If you are using fresh broccoli, steam until just done.
- In a medium saucepan, cook the onion in the butter until transparent.
- Add the cheese, soup, broccoli, and rice to the onions and stir through to melt the cheese and heat it all.
- You can serve this dish now or you can put it in a baking dish, cover, and refrigerate.
- When you are ready to serve, uncover it, and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
This dish reheats well, for me that is important. As I do a lot of cooking on the weekends and reheat dishes throughout the week when I have dinner.
Variations on Broccoli Rice Casserole
There are many different ways to switch up this recipe. Turn this into a main dish by adding some leftover cooked chicken. You can also add even more vegetables or switch them completely. You can also swap out the cheese.
Here are 5 ways you can modify this classic rice casserole
- Add cooked chicken – mix in 1 to 2 cups of cooked chicken
- Add leftover ham – mix in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cooked ham pieces
- Add a tablespoon of pimiento – this will add a nice savory note to this recipe
- Add cauliflower – swap half of the broccoli with cooked cauliflower
- Switch the cheese to Meximelt cheese – make your broccoli rice casserole with a bit of spice
How to Store Rice and Broccoli Casserole
It’s hard to imagine you will have any left of this casserole but in case you do, let’s cover how you can store this recipe.
- In the refrigerator – this will store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In the freezer – store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Recipe
Yes, in this recipe the rice must be fully cooked before adding it to the recipe.
The best way to reheat this recipe is to reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees. The best way to reheat this recipe is to reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees. Be sure to cover a baking dish with aluminum foil, and you may even want to add some additional cheese on top.
If you have 4 or more portions heat for about 20 minutes, if you have 2 portions 10 to 15 minutes is all that is needed.
Yes, you can. Simply mix all of the ingredients together. Place into your baking dish, and cover with foil. Cook in a 350-degree oven the day you wish to serve. You will need to add 5 to 7 minutes of cooking time.
Favorite Casserole Recipes
- Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Instant Potato Casserole
- Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Hamburger Green Bean Casserole
- Hash Brown Casserole Cracker Barrel
- Scallop Casserole
- Leftover Chicken Casserole Recipes
More Rice Side Dishes
- Cajun Rice
- French Onion Rice
- Spanish Rice Casserole
- Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy Rice Pilaf Recipe
- Thai Fried Rice Recipe
Be sure to check many other great rice side dish recipes and easy casserole recipes here on CopyKat.com.
Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 ounces chopped broccoli fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup Velveeta cheese diced
- 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup 1 can
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Place the broccoli into a steamer and steam for 5 to 7 minutes, until it turns bright green.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the cheese, cream of chicken soup, broccoli, and rice and stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is heated through.
- You can serve this dish now, or you can put it in an 8-inch square baking pan, cover, and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, uncover and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Lauren
Can I leave out the cream of chicken soup?
Stephanie Manley
You can, you will need to add some extra milk or another liquid to replace the soup.
Michele
I add ham cream cheese.
It’s a great meal
Roberta
Try putting some Cajun boudin in it everyone is always begging me to make it again. Thank you for the wonderfully delicious recipe
Crissy
Last minute Thanksgiving dish to take to the
in laws! Turned out Great! Thanks for sharing! God Bless u!
Shelly H.
This turned out perfectly!! Tastes great! Serving it at my Thanksgiving dinner!
Tina
This is alot like my grandmothers green rice recipe. Always a big hit at family gatherings, and potlucks!
LAURA
thanks for yummy recipe with all my favorite ingredients!
Linda
No one makes rice any more. get yourself a rice maker they are heaven. they make the best rice and save you so much time . simply drop your ingredients in the pot and turn it on. after it cooks it will automatically go on warm. what could be better then that!
Stephanie
I use my Instant Pot to make rice now. I finally have rice that turns out not burnt.
Holly
Since my mother in law is highly allergic to onions how would this play(cook) out??
Deborah
This looks delicious. I just prepared and will put in the oven to get hot and bubbly. Thanks.
granny
Just made this but used cream of mushroom (all I had in my pantry) and 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon graduals…. followed instructions on printed recipe… very good!!! This one is a keeper!!
Stephanie Manley
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Cicilia
Thanks for the recipe! I can’t cook but with this I feel like I can actually cook coz it tastes delicious!
stephaniemanley
I hope you give this one a try! It really is easy.
Jeanne
Cheddar cheese okay to use?
stephaniemanley
It won’t melt like American cheese. For this recipe, I wouldn’t suggest using it.
Jenn
YUM, loving all the cheese on top of this casserole!
stephaniemanley
Thanks, it is a pretty cheesy casserole.
Amy Stafford
My son loves broccoli cheddar soup, so he will be thrilled when I make up a batch of this for dinner. Thanks for sharing.
stephaniemanley
I think this is a great way to sneak in vegetables. I used to have a sister in law that was completely against anything with chlorophyll.
Brandy
I have been making this for years! Add chicken for a complete meal, buttery round cracker crumbs makes a tasty topping. If you’re out of cream of chicken, you can substitute mayo. Super yummy!
stephaniemanley
I love the addition of the crackers you are adding. I will try this the next time I make this recipe. Thank you for your suggestion.
Culinary Workshops
Ah broccoli is a personal favorite. It is delicious and highly nutritious and I have been collecting broccoli recipes and experimenting with my own since I started cooking. Your casserole looks sumptuous.
bevelyn.info
this recipe is great for quick meal. I love it