This Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole is a classic recipe that is a long time family favorite. It is a creamy side dish that always makes an appearance on our table for all potlucks, holidays, and special occasions.
An easy cheesy broccoli rice casserole made with fresh broccoli and cooked rice stirred into a velveeta cheese sauce is baked until golden and bubbly. It is a quick and easy casserole recipe that is the perfect dish to make ahead and reheat later.
I grew up with this recipe as a side dish staple during the holiday season, right along with my Momma's Crockpot Stuffing!
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Why You'll Love Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Easy Side Dish: enjoy this broccoli rice casserole recipe as an easy holiday side dish for family gatherings and during the holiday season.
Comfort Food: this nostalgic casserole is creamy, cheesy, and brings back memories of the holiday dinner dable.
✔️ It is a great way to use leftover rice!
Ingredients
- Long grain rice: instant rice, white or brown rice
- Broccoli florets: these can be frozen broccoli or fresh broccoli that has been steamed
- Butter
- Onion
- Celery
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Cream of celery soup
- Half and half
- Velveeta cheese: also known as processed American cheese, cut into cubes
How to Make Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Steam or thaw chopped broccoli and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are just softened.
- Stir in the canned soups and half and half until combined.
- Add the processed cheese cubes and cook, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in the steamed or thawed broccoli and rice until combined.
- Transfer the broccoli mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake the casserole for 60 minutes, until casserole is bubbly and beginning to brown on the top. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
🙋 Recipe FAQ's
If using fresh broccoli, it should be steamed until fork tender, then chopped and added to the casserole. Frozen broccoli can just be thawed overnight in the fridge and drained before use.
Yes, this casserole can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight to bake the next day according to recipe instructions.
Equipment
- 2 quart casserole dish
- Large skillet or pot
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Rubber spatula
Substitutions
Cheese swap: use cheese whiz in place of Velveeta cheese.
Flavor boost: use sour cream or chicken stock in place of the half and half for added flavor.
Soup swap: use chicken broth or cream of chicken soup in place of the cream of celery soup.
Variations
- Sprinkle the top of the broccoli casserole with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, or crushed ritz crackers.
- Stir in 2 cups of cooked chicken, ham, or leftover beef roast to the casserole to add protein.
- Substitute cauliflower for the broccoli, or a combination of broccoli and cauliflower in place of the broccoli.
Top Tips
- Turn this broccoli-rice casserole into a main dish by adding chopped ham, turkey, or chicken.
- If using fresh broccoli, steam until tender and chop it ahead of time. Frozen broccoli can be thawed ahead of time.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole is a great side dish to serve at Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. It goes great with ham, chicken, or turkey.
Related Recipes
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Jalapeno
Tuna Noodle Casserole - a healthier version
Chicken Enchilada Casserole - low carb recipe
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- Wooden spoon
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Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup onion , diced
- ¼ cup celery , diced
- 16 ounces steamed fresh broccoli , or frozen broccoli, thawed
- 10¾ ounce condensed cream of mushroom soup , undiluted
- 10¾ ounce condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted , undiluted
- ⅓ cup half and half
- 1¼ cup Velveeta cheese diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Steam or thaw chopped broccoli and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are just softened.Stir in the canned soups and half and half until combined.
- Add the processed cheese cubes and cook, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in the steamed or thawed broccoli and rice until combined.
- Transfer the broccoli mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake the casserole for 60 minutes, until casserole is bubbly and beginning to brown on the top.
- Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Otto says
That recipe would go good with any thing you would server.
Barb Hahn says
I would fix a cranberry glazed pork tenderloin to go with this. This already has my mouth watering just thinking about it. Bon Appétit! Happy New Year too!
Shelley says
This is the best broccoli casserole I have ever made! Was a huge hit on Easter. I added a little pepper but that’s all! A recipe for life!
Lynn says
I would serve this along with a nice cornish game hen.
Serena Tawil says
This is something my granny used to make for our family and she’d always add chicken. It was one of my favorites. As a kid I didn’t like broccoli so she’d make half with just chicken but now that I’m older I want extra broccoli! Also we have to use non dairy products but it still tastes just a good. Hope you and yours have had a healthy holiday season.
Theresa Krier says
Oooooo, this sounds perfect for dinner tonight with some leftover dinner rolls. Thank you ! kpkrier@kci.net
Judy Armstrong says
I plan to make this today to serve with leftover ham from Christmas. It would also go well with chicken, and in our family this would last more than one meal as a side Thanks for all the great recipes throughout the year! Happy New Year to all!
Susan says
Broccoli casserole is my son’s favorite so it’s served with just about everything in my house. Chicken, ham, steak, you name it, it’s probably been served with it!
Irene in cold central Texas says
One of mine and my daughter's favorites. I think some smothered pork
chops would be great with the dish.
IRENE
Patty J Shay says
I love this recipe!! I made it. I would serve this recipe with a honey and mustard glazed ham.
Judi Eells says
This is a family favorite. Serve it with anything, especially Special K roast. Perfect for potlucks.
A says
Can American cheese slices be used instead of Velveeta or Cheez whiz?
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Yes, American cheese can be substituted for the Veleeta or cheese whiz as well as any other cheese that melts easily. Thank you! Shelby
Lauren says
We love this recipe! Have you ever put it together a day ahead of time and baked it the next day?
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Lauren, Thank you! and yes, you could put this together a day ahead and bake it the next day. I would take it out of the fridge at least 20 minutes before baking to bring the dish closer to room temperature. Shebly
Rhonda says
Made this casserole yesterday, and LOVE IT !! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Rhonda, so glad you loved the recipe, thank you for stopping by to share!
JK says
I would serve this with thick pork chops or pork loin that was cooked sous vide then finished by searing. But I would also sub in cauliflower for the rice and try with a different melty cheese blend.
Sue Strauch says
I have a recipe that is very similar and it’s delicious. A great side for a turkey dinner. I always make it during the holidays. Great with an Easter ham as well.
Life Tastes Good says
What great memories! What a great idea to take pics of the recipe!! This sounds wonderful!