Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole (Printable)
Tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and creamy cheese sauce baked together in one comforting dish. Ideal for family gatherings.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, cut into bite-size pieces
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Rice
04 - 2 cups cooked white rice or brown rice
→ Dairy and Cheese
05 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Sauces and Seasonings
08 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika, optional
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard, optional
→ Topping
13 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
02 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, blanched broccoli, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard. Mix until well combined.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
06 - Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole surface.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The casserole reheats beautifully, somehow tasting even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to meld together.
- Its incredibly adaptable to whatever you have on hand I once substituted cauliflower when I was out of broccoli and my pickiest friend still asked for seconds.
02 -
- Overcooking the broccoli before adding it to the casserole will result in a mushy final texture I learned this the hard way when I got distracted by a phone call.
- The casserole will look slightly loose when it first comes out of the oven but sets up beautifully during the rest period dont be tempted to cook it longer.
03 -
- Grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties the anti-caking agents in packaged shredded cheese can prevent that gloriously smooth melt.
- If your casserole looks dry before baking, drizzle in an extra splash of milk around the edges it will distribute perfectly during cooking.