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    Home » Side Dish Recipes

    Easy Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

    Published: Nov 18, 2009 Last updated: Apr 11, 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 Jump to Video Print Recipe

    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.

    Baked easy Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole in a casserole dish with a red and white napkin to the right of the dish.
    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.
    4.37 from 85 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    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

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups cooked rice
    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup onion , diced
    • ¼ cup celery , diced
    • 16 ounces 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
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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. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    5. 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, a home cook who learned from her grandmother and mother and have been sharing family recipes since 2007. I share quick and easy recipes as well as low calorie, low carb, and keto diet recipes...

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby, a home cook who learned from her grandmother and mother and have been sharing family recipes since 2007. I share quick and easy recipes as well as low calorie, low carb, and keto diet recipes...

    More about me →

    Homemade Flour Tortillas
    Old-Fashioned Baked Rice Pudding
    Vegetarian Meatloaf

    Trending Recipes

    • Air Fryer Roast Beef with Herb Crust
    • Keto Chicken Nuggets with Canned Chicken
    • Baked Red Snapper Recipe with Garlic Topping
    • Crockpot Venison Stew - Warm and Hearty
    • Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
    • Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk
    • Special K Loaf aka Cottage Cheese Loaf
    • Vegetarian Meatloaf -Easy and Delicious
    • Easy Green Chicken Enchilada Recipe - low carb
    • Mom's Rhubarb Sauce

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    30151 shares