Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is an all-time favorite side dish for me. It's easy to make and there isn't a canned cream of suspiciousness anywhere to be found. While great on it's own, a few additions can turn it into the most delicious family dinner. My kids love it, I crave it, and once you make it this way, you'll be coming back to this wonderful, classic recipe time and time again.
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I have so many memories of potlucks at church where Broccoli Rice Casserole was always a player. I loved it then, I love it now. There is something very nostalgic and comforting about this, and when I developed this recipe, I fell more in love with it.
My Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is creamy and cheesy with a sauce that cannot be beat. Not only all of that, but it's so easy to make. Don't even dare think about grabbing those canned soups for this. There is no need.
Serve this as a side dish for you next get together, add a little rotisserie chicken to it and dinner for the family is taken care of, or make a batch just for yourself. I plead the fifth on which avenue I took.
ingredients
- Broccoli
- Cooked Long Grain White Rice
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Flour
- Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Granulated Garlic
- Granulated Onion
- Dry Mustard Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Herbed Cream Cheese
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper
recipe tools
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Stockpot
- Large Skillet
- Spatula
- 9x13 Baking Dish
how to make broccoli rice casserole
blanch the broccoli
To begin the best Broccoli Rice Casserole ever, the broccoli needs to be addressed and blanched. That simply means it need a quick bath in a pot of boiling water followed by a casual dip in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This allows for the broccoli to become slightly cooked while retaining its beautiful, vibrant green color.
Pro tip: After the ice bath, drain the broccoli and place onto a large dish towel. Squeeze the towel to remove the excess moisture from the broccoli. This will prevent a soggy casserole. No one wants that!
make the sauce
For the sauce, sauté the onions in butter in an oven-safe, cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once softened, add the garlic and cook until just fragrant.
Measure out the flour, whisking constantly to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly add the warmed milk and cream, whisking constantly to avoid the dreaded lumps from forming.
Once the roux and milk and cream have become incorporated, add the spices and stir in the herbed cream cheese.
Slowly start whisking in the cheddar and parmesan cheese until they are melted and combined. Taste for salt and pepper, add some if you feel like it needs more.
finish
Mix the cheese sauce with the cooked rice and blanched broccoli. I'll do this the same oven safe skillet I made the cheese sauce in because what even are extra dishes. Nobody got time for extra dishes. No, ma'am.
Make sure the Broccoli Rice Casserole ingredients are well combined. Top with as much extra shredded cheese as your heart tells you.
If you don't want to bake this casserole in a skillet, simple pour it into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
Bake the casserole in a preheated 350° oven for 20-30 minutes or until everything is nice and bubbly.
I don't know about you, but I don't intend on sharing. If you're nicer than I, share with the ones you love and enjoy!
recipe frequently asked questions
What rice is the best for this Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole?
I prefer a long grain white rice for this recipe. You can make it yourself or buy it premade in packages.
What does blanch mean?
In the culinary world, blanching simply means to flash boil - usually green vegetables. The vegetables in question are allowed to boil for just a few minutes and then are immediately placed in an ice bath to halt the cooking process. This allows for the vegetable, in this case broccoli, to cook just a bit so that's its not raw.
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen broccoli is a great idea. Skip the blanching and just make sure it is thawed completely before combining it with the other casserole ingredients prior to baking.
tips and tricks
- Only blanch the broccoli. Don't boil it to death. Add it to an ice bath immediately after. Resist the urge to cook the broccoli to mush. It won't be pretty.
- After the broccoli is blanched and has sit in the ice bath a few minutes, drain the water off. Place the broccoli onto a large dish towel and squeeze out any excess water. This will prevent the Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole from becoming soggy.
recipe variations
- To turn this classic side dish into an easy dinner, by just adding your favorite protein. Leftover rotisserie chicken or tender, shredded chuck roast folded into the Broccoli Rice Casserole just before baking would be fantastic. Turkey or ham from your latest holiday get-together would also be a great protein option!
- Play with the cheeses. Use whatever cheese you have on hand and what you love. The sky is the limit. Just make sure you shred it yourself!
- This recipe can also be a great fridge clean out situation. Throw in any cooked veggies you have that need to go. I love adding sautéed mushrooms and spinach. Kale is also a great green vegetable for this recipe. Any you love would work!
shop the recipe essentials here
If you guys make this Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Recipe
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli, cut into florets
- 3 cups cooked long grain white rice
- 1 med onion, diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup AP flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warm
- ¼ cup heavy cream, warm
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 tsp granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 oz herbed cream cheese, softened use your favorite flavor combo and/or brand
- 1½ cups sharp white cheddar
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- extra cheddar and parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
The Broccoli
- Cook the broccoli florets in a pot of boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Strain and add to an ice bath.
- After the ice bath, drain the broccoli and place onto a large dish towel. Using the dish towel, gently squeeze out any excess water.
The Sauce
- Sauté the onions in butter in an oven-safe, cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once softened, add the garlic and cook until just fragrant.
- Add the flour to the onion and garlic, whisking constantly to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly add the warmed milk and cream, whisking constantly to avoid the dreaded lumps from forming.
- Add the spices and stir in the herbed cream cheese.
- Slowly start whisking in the cheddar and parmesan cheese until they are melted and combined. Taste for salt and pepper, add if you feel like it needs more.
Assemble and Bake
- Mix the cheese sauce with the cooked rice and blanched broccoli. I'll do this the same oven-safe skillet I made the cheese sauce in or pour into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Top with as much extra shredded cheese as your heart tells you.
- Bake the casserole in a preheated 350° oven for 20-30 minutes or until everything is nice and bubbly.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or star rating below. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. It makes my heart so happy! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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other great side dish recipe ideas
- Korean Beef Bowls
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Taco Pasta
Rufus for Real is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Abigail says
I’ve made this a couple times since Christmas and gonna make it for Easter. It’s our favorite and so easy. Thank you!