This Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe is made from scratch combining fresh broccoli, tender rice, and a delicious cheesy sauce! Just 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes in the oven, then your family will rave over this recipe!
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is a family favorite dish that can be served as a side dish along protein main dishes, or as a stand alone meal for a vegetarian option.
Making broccoli cheese rice casserole is very easy, the prep takes just 10 minutes and is from scratch without condensed soup as an ingredient!
Variations and substitutions in Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole:
- Include protein to make this a full meal. COOK the protein choice before adding! I’ve made this with diced or shredded chicken, diced ham, and even ground beef.
- Vegetable Variations: While I used fresh broccoli in this recipe, frozen vegetables will work also if you thaw and cook before adding. I often include chopped cauliflower and sliced carrots when I make this. Feel free to get creative in using your favorite vegetables, and let me know in the comments what changes you make! You might also enjoy adding diced onions, mushrooms, and celery – I tend to saute these before adding them into the mixture.
- Lighter: You can use lower fat milk or cheese to lighten up this recipe. You can also use riced cauliflower or any riced vegetable as a substitute for the rice, to make it work for a keto diet. Brown rice or quinoa also work well.
- Cheese Choices: I prefer cheddar cheese in this dish, but other cheeses work well, too. You can use a combination of cheese choices or swap for a different cheese entirely. Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Parmesan, etc. will work. My kids like to add some diced Velveeta to theirs, but I recognize that’s not a choice everyone will enjoy! *We recently used some queso as an addition when our grocery store was out of other cheeses and it was a hit.
- Breadcrumb Topping: You could also use crushed crackers, ritz crackers, crushed cornflakes, or french fried onions.
Combine cooked broccoli and rice in a 9×13 casserole dish.
Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
Add cornstarch and whisk until a roux forms, around 5 minutes.
Add milk and stir to combine.
Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika.
Brink milk to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted.
Pour cheese sauce over broccoli rice mixture, stirring to combine.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter and breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the top of the broccoli, rice and cheese.
Place casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown and cheese sauce is bubbling.
Can Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole be made ahead of time?
Yes!
Complete the first six steps in the recipe instructions below (up to making the breadcrumb topping).
Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
When you are ready to bake the casserole, prepare the last two steps in the recipe instructions, making the breadcrumb topping.
While you are preheating your oven to 350, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature.
You will need to add an extra 10 minutes to the bake time to allow the casserole to completely heat through.
Can Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole be frozen?
Yes!
I recommend preparing this casserole through the sixth step in the recipe instructions (up to the breadcrumb topping), then freezing, unbaked.
Store in a freezer safe, oven safe baking dish!
Clearly label with date, contents, and final preparation/baking instructions.
When ready to serve, defrost the day before in the refrigerator.
When you are ready to bake the casserole, prepare the last two steps in the recipe instructions, making the breadcrumb topping.
While you are preheating your oven to 350, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature.
You will need to add an extra 10 minutes to the bake time to allow the casserole to completely heat through.
*If gifting this frozen to a friend/family member, or taking to a potluck dinner etc. be sure to PRINT an extra copy of the recipe from the printable recipe card below so they can refer to it if they decide to make it again for themselves in the future!
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Casserole:
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 package frozen broccoli florets, cooked
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Ingredients for the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine cooked broccoli and rice in a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
- Add cornstarch and whisk until a roux forms, around 5 minutes.
- Add milk and stir to combine.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika.
- Brink milk to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted.
- Pour cheese sauce over broccoli rice mixture, stirring to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter and breadcrumbs.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the top of the broccoli, rice and
cheese. - Place casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown and cheese sauce is bubbling.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 414Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 802mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g
These are a few items I find helpful in my own kitchen when preparing Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole:
Don’t miss these additional Casserole Recipes here at When Is Dinner:
- Dorito Casserole
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Jalapeno Corn Casserole
- Chicken Divine Casserole
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Mexican Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken
Tiffany
Wednesday 24th of June 2020
Karen! This recipe looks great! I’m so excited to try it.