When it comes to comforting classics that stand the test of time, few dishes compare to a hearty broccoli rice casserole that borrows familiar flavors from broccoli cheddar soup and merges them with a rice bake in the form of a quick and easy casserole.
Thanks to a combination of tender broccoli florets, fluffy rice and a rich cheese sauce, this dish is the epitome of satisfying comfort food. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a potluck with friends or simply craving a wholesome meal at home, this recipe is sure to delight every palate at the table. Plus, it’s pretty to serve and it makes a tasty side dish for almost any kind of meat.
Ingredients for Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Butter: A few pats of butter are needed to saute the vegetables and give this broccoli and rice casserole a delicious base.
- Onion: You’ll also need one small onion. Yellow or white onions will work just fine, but red may be too overwhelming in the flavor department.
- Celery: Celery salutes well with onions and broccoli and lends its mild herbal notes to this dish.
- Broccoli: The star ingredient! We used a bag of frozen chopped broccoli for ease, but you can certainly go the fresh route for more homemade flavor.
- Cheese dip: The secret sauce. A jar of cheese dip (like nacho-style queso) is the trick to an extra creamy casserole.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Condensed, undiluted cream of mushroom soup adds earthy bits of mushroom and an even more velvety texture to this casserole.
- Evaporated milk: To keep the casserole from being too thick.
- Cooked rice: Use whatever rice you’re trying to use up here. White, brown, jasmine—even chickpea-based rice, if you’re trying to watch your carbs but want to get more protein and fiber at the same time.
Directions
Step 1: Saute the veggies
Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat and add the onions, celery and broccoli. Cook, stirring until the veggies are crisp-tender, three to five minutes.
Step 2: Add the liquids
Next, stir in the cheese dip, soup and milk, combining everything until it’s nice and smooth.
Step 3: Bake the casserole
Spoon the cooked rice into a greased 8-inch square baking dish, and pour the cheese mixture over the rice, but do not stir. Bake the casserole, uncovered, until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Divvy up the casserole between serving bowls, top with your favorite garnishes and dig in!
Broccoli Rice Casserole Variations
- Swap the cheese dip for actual cheese: Although store-bought queso creates a silky, velvety soup and does take this casserole to a whole new level of comfort food, you can use shredded cheese, if you prefer. Extra-sharp cheddar, pepper jack or a three-cheese blend would all be great.
- Use a scratch-made roux: Don’t have any cream of mushroom soup on hand? Whip up a roux as an alternative by dissolving 1 teaspoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder in water or broth, whisking until smooth. Then use the roux in place of the mushroom soup and follow the rest of the recipe instructions.
- Get creative with garnishes: We love this broccoli casserole with rice topped with sliced scallions and jalapenos, fried onion strings, a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche or crispy buttery bread crumbs.
How to Store Broccoli Rice Casserole
Casseroles were invented with leftovers in mind, and nothing tastes better the next day more than a cheesy broccoli rice bake. Cover the remaining casserole with plastic wrap or tin foil, and place it in the fridge to dig into later. Alternatively, transfer individual-size portions to sealed, airtight containers for weekly heat-and-eat lunches and dinners.
Can you freeze broccoli rice casserole?
You bet! In fact, we recommend doubling the recipe and making two casseroles: one to bake, and one to freeze unbaked to pull out whenever surprise guests come over. That way you can pop it in the oven and have a delicious dinner in 25 minutes.
How long does broccoli rice casserole last?
If stored in covered storage containers or zip-top bags, this casserole will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. Frozen casseroles will last for up to three months.
What’s the best way to reheat broccoli rice casserole?
The microwave method is the fastest way to reheat a cold casserole. Scoop some into a bowl, sprinkle with cheese if desired and pop it in the microwave for one to two minutes. You could also bake the casserole at 325° for 10 minutes or until it’s cooked through.
Broccoli Rice Casserole Tips
How do you thicken broccoli rice casserole?
The shortcut roux we shared earlier is a great way to thicken a soupy casserole quickly. Add a little to the cheese mixture until it starts to thicken, then proceed to bake.
How do you make broccoli rice casserole taste better?
This recipe is a clean slate as far as seasonings go, so feel free to add your favorites! If you like it hot, try a few dashes of Cajun seasoning blend, hot sauce or red pepper flakes. If you want more of a fresh appeal, opt for minced fresh herbs like chives, cilantro or parsley. Salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika are more spices to consider.
What should you serve with this broccoli rice casserole recipe?
A leafy green salad would be a nice balance for this hearty dish, or any one of our 5-star chicken recipes. We also love steamed green beans, garlic bread, pork chops and cornbread muffins served alongside this broccoli rice casserole.
