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    Home » Side Dish Recipes

    Easy Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

    Published: Nov 18, 2009 Last updated: Nov 14, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A classic casserole recipe that is a popular side dish for holidays and potlucks, this broccoli rice and cheese casserole is made with velveeta cheese and fresh broccoli.
    Jump to Recipe
    Pin image for broccoli casserole

    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.

    Baked easy Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole in a casserole dish with a red and white napkin to the right of the dish.


    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.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 INSTRUCTIONS
    • 🙋 Recipe FAQ's
    • 🍽 EQUIPMENT
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • 📖 VARIATIONS
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

    ✔️ This cheesy broccoli rice casserole recipe is an easy side dish recipe for family gatherings and is popular during the holiday season.

    ✔️ It brings back memories of childhood and the family around the Thanksgiving table.

    ✔️ It is a great way to use leftover rice!

    🥘 Ingredients

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    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, undiluted 

    Half and half

    Velveeta cheese, also known as processed american cheese, cut into cubes

    overhead shot of baked casserole

    🔪 INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
    3. Steam or thaw chopped broccoli and set aside.
    4. 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.
    5. Stir in the canned soups and half and half until combined.
    6. Add the processed cheese cubes and cook, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in the steamed or thawed broccoli and rice until combined.
    7. Transfer the broccoli mixture to a 2-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
    8. 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

    Do you cook the broccoli before adding it to the casserole?

    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.

    Can you freeze broccoli rice casserole?

    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.

    A spoon in the casserole dish with a portion scooped out of the casserole

    🍽 EQUIPMENT

    2 quart casserole dish

    Large skillet or pot

    Large mixing bowl

    Wooden spoon

    Rubber spatula

    💭 Top Tips

    • urn this broccoli-rice casserole into a main dish by adding chopped ham, turkey, or chicken.
    • Cheez whiz can be used in place of Velveeta cheese.
    • If using fresh broccoli, steam until tender and chop it ahead of time. Frozen broccoli can be thawed ahead of time.
    • Use sour cream or chicken stock in place of the half and half for added flavor.
    Single serving of broccoli rice and cheese casserole on a red plate with casserole in the background.

    📖 VARIATIONS

    • Instant rice can be substituted for the long grain rice.
    • 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.
    • Use chicken broth or cream of chicken soup in place of the cream of celery soup.

    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.

    Single serving in an orange bowl.

    Related Recipes

    Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Jalapeno

    Crustless Broccoli Quiche

    Tuna Noodle Casserole - a healthier version

    Chicken Enchilada Casserole - low carb recipe

    Original Jiffy Casserole

    Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    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

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A classic casserole recipe that is a popular side dish for holidays and potlucks, this broccoli rice and cheese casserole is made with velveeta cheese and fresh broccoli.
    4.50 from 212 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 296 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 quart casserole dish
    • Large skillet
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Wooden spoon
    • rubber spatula

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.
      baked casserole
    • 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.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 13gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 1130mgPotassium: 443mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1051IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 273mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword broccoli casserole, broccoli rice and cheese casserole, easy broccoli cassrole recipe, easy broccoli rice casserole recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Otto

      December 30, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      That recipe would go good with any thing you would server.

      Reply
      • Barb Hahn

        December 30, 2022 at 7:28 pm

        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!

        Reply
    2. Lynn

      December 26, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      I would serve this along with a nice cornish game hen.

      Reply
    3. Serena Tawil

      December 26, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    4. Theresa Krier

      December 26, 2022 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      Oooooo, this sounds perfect for dinner tonight with some leftover dinner rolls. Thank you ! kpkrier@kci.net

      Reply
    5. Judy Armstrong

      December 26, 2022 at 9:42 am

      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!

      Reply
    6. Susan

      December 26, 2022 at 8:15 am

      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!

      Reply
    7. Irene in cold central Texas

      December 23, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      One of mine and my daughter's favorites. I think some smothered pork
      chops would be great with the dish.
      IRENE

      Reply
      • Patty J Shay

        December 26, 2022 at 9:09 am

        I love this recipe!! I made it. I would serve this recipe with a honey and mustard glazed ham.

        Reply
    8. Judi Eells

      December 23, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      This is a family favorite. Serve it with anything, especially Special K roast. Perfect for potlucks.

      Reply
    9. A

      March 10, 2022 at 11:22 pm

      Can American cheese slices be used instead of Velveeta or Cheez whiz?

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        March 11, 2022 at 4:33 am

        Yes, American cheese can be substituted for the Veleeta or cheese whiz as well as any other cheese that melts easily. Thank you! Shelby

        Reply
    10. Lauren

      November 24, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      We love this recipe! Have you ever put it together a day ahead of time and baked it the next day?

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        November 29, 2021 at 9:05 am

        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

        Reply
    11. Rhonda

      January 01, 2020 at 8:45 am

      Made this casserole yesterday, and LOVE IT !! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        January 01, 2020 at 9:17 am

        Hi Rhonda, so glad you loved the recipe, thank you for stopping by to share!

        Reply
      • JK

        December 24, 2022 at 7:14 am

        4 stars
        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.

        Reply
    12. Sue Strauch

      November 19, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      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.

      Reply
    13. Life Tastes Good

      April 17, 2014 at 2:12 am

      What great memories! What a great idea to take pics of the recipe!! This sounds wonderful!

      Reply
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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, author and content creator at Grumpy's Honeybunch. She is self taught in the kitchen and has been sharing keto low carb recipes and family recipes since 2007.

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