Easy Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole (Ready in 30 Minutes)

Quick and easy broccoli cheese rice casserole is a great recipe. It is a side dish you can put together in no 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.

Whether you use fresh or frozen broccoli, this cheesy broccoli rice casserole will become a family favorite.

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

Quick and Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole is a perfect dish for the holidays or perhaps even a potluck dinner. Making this casserole is one of the best ways to get even picky eaters to take in some broccoli.

I must 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 holiday dinners with my family, this broccoli rice casserole recipe is the one I use. Year after year, this dish is one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

She used instant rice (Minute Rice) in her dish, but I prefer regular long-grain rice. I think it has a better texture and reheats 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 I know a recipe is a winner when the dish comes back empty.

Ingredients for Broccoli Rice Casserole

Here’s a list of what you need:

• Broccoli florets – Provide essential nutrients, vibrant color, and hearty texture
• White onion – Adds aromatic flavor foundation and subtle sweetness when cooked
• Salted butter – Creates richness and helps cook the onions to perfection
• Velveeta or American cheese – It delivers the creamy, smooth meltability that defines this casserole
• Cream of chicken soup – Contributes savory flavor and creamy texture that binds everything together
• Cooked white rice – Forms the hearty, filling base that absorbs all the delicious flavors

Ingredient Notes

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.

How to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

1. If you are using fresh broccoli, steam until just done.
2. In a medium saucepan, cook the onion in the butter until transparent.
3. Add the cheese, soup, broccoli, and rice to the onions and stir through to melt the cheese and heat it all.

4. You can serve this dish now or put it in a baking dish or casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it.
5. 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.

You could also top this casserole with some buttered crumbled Ritz crackers, or even some buttered panko crumbs if you want to make this extra fancy! No matter how you make it, you are going to love how this tastes!

Dishes that go well with Broccoli Rice Casserole

Let’s round out a meal with this famous side, here are some suggestions for what to serve with this famous casserole. 

For protein options, I suggest: 

• Grilled or baked chicken breasts
• Pork chops
• Grilled fish

Looking for additional side dishes: 

• Garlic-infused mashed potatoes 
• Oven-roasted asparagus
• Roasted Brussels sprouts

Here are 5 ways you can modify this classic rice casserole

1. Add cooked chicken – mix in 1 to 2 cups of cooked chicken and turn this into a cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole
2. Add leftover ham – mix in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cooked ham pieces
3. Add a tablespoon of pimiento – this will add a nice savory note to this recipe
4. Add cauliflower – swap half of the broccoli with cooked cauliflower
5. 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.

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions about Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Recipe

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

This creamy, comforting broccoli cheese rice casserole combines tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and melty cheese for a simple side dish that's perfect for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes!

4.92 from 24 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Quick and Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 179kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 16 ounces chopped broccoli fresh or frozen
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup Velveeta cheese (diced) 4 ounces
• 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.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 51.3mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 0.5mg