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!
Jump to:
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
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.
- 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.
Mary Ellen
This is one of my favorite rice casserole recipes, so good and creamy...
Jen Sattley
I am such a sucker for broccoli casseroles and this one looks delicious!
Shelby
I'm sorry, I don't have it right off hand but I can figure it out using my SparkPeople guide. I will get back to you! Glad you love the recipe!
It'sALifeStyleBaby!!
I love this recipe, do you happen to have the nutritional information?
Fat
Protein
Carbs
Fiber
Thanks so much!
Katy ~
I love the comforts and flavors of home. This is a winner!
Laura
In the last few years of my grandma's life, when the Alztheimer's was bad but not terrible, I had her write out some recipes for. the handwriting is shaky and I am not even sure she was completely cognizant of the recipes (she was copying them from my mom's copies--also in her writing), but I wanted them in her writing. Your pics remind me of that.
This casserole looks wonderful--the kind of food I rarely make but always enjoy when it is served to me.
JennyMac
YUMMMMMMM! My broccoli casserole recipe I got from my supervising teacher when I was student teaching. (over 20 years ago, yikes!) It's very similar except for it has ritz crackers and butter on top. So good!
Jamie
This does look the best broccoli casserole ever! Your grandmother's handwritten recipes look just like my grandmother's and mom's handwritten ones (which I treasure). The handwriting even looks the same...isn't that weird? I want to make this for Thanksgiving....you'll be passing on your family recipe...thank you!
Robin Sue
I love broccoli casserole and this recipe looks so good. A funny story, my Ma used to made a broccoli and rice casserole that my brother hated. On night while at dinner he was not eating it and it made Ma mad, plus he was really fussing and sassing her about it. So she scooped up a handful of the casserole and smashed it in his face. He never fussed over her broccoli casserole again!
Mrs. L
This casserole looks great. I've got to get myself in gear and participate in Family Recipes again!
teresa
oh my gosh, this looks soooo creamy and delicious! i love broccoli when it's prepared this way!
Kathleen
I think it is beyond awesome that you are putting together a family recipe cook book. I loved your Nanny's hand written recipe! This casserole sounds like a winner!
Mags
That's so neat that you're putting together a family cookbook. I love recipes like this that have a memory attached to them.
Barbara Bakes
I love that you have hand written recipes to pass down!
Katie
So easy. So delicious.
alskamom
Oh, Yum! I love broccoli, and this sounds absolutely delicious!
CookiePie
I love recipes like that -- handwritten recipes that mom made (or grandma, auntie, etc.), for dishes you grew up on! They're the best -- you can taste the love in them! Thanks for sharing! I bet this casserole is sooo delicious.
Patsyk
I did something similar when I was visiting my mom last year... she had typed up copies of favorite recipes and I swiped a whole bunch of them to bring home!
pigpigscorner
I've never had broccoli like this. Looks like it's time to stop roasting broccoli!
Donna-FFW
Handwritten recipes have such charm, I love them. This casserole dish sounds just perfect, PERFECT, for the holiday table.
I am going to try and remember to join in on your event this month.