Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (2024)

4.50 from 24 votes

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November 15, 2018

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This cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is impossible to mess up and super tasty! It’s a vegetable-filled dinner that everyone will love!

Broccoli Rice Casserole

So, this Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe I’m posting today it a mish-mash of things I found in the cupboards and in the fridge all sauteed and baked into one delicious casserole. When I placed this on the table for dinner last week, the first words out of my mouth were “I don’t know if this is going to be good!” but after we all took our first bites, it wasn’t long before the entire casserole was gone. Completely. Meaning no leftovers! I love it when miscellaneous ingredients all come together to make a great meal.

Main Ingredients Needed

With a diverse mix of vegetables, ham, cheese, and rice this dinner is bursting full of flavor! Here’s everything you need to make Broccoli Rice Casserole:

  • Butter –this is used for flavor and to saute the vegetables.
  • Onions, Carrots, Corn, and Broccoli –all of the vegetables in this casserole. For more ideas see the sections below.
  • Ham –use either cubed ham pieces, deli ham, or even leftover ham from the Holidays!
  • Cream of Chicken Soup –this brings a lot of flavor to this dish and helps tie in all of the different ingredients. Use store-bought or homemade.
  • Salt, Pepper, and Thyme –don’t forget the seasonings! Thyme basically goes with anything which is great when this recipe is so adaptable.
  • Rice and Water –these two go hand in hand when making a rice-based casserole.
  • Cheddar Cheese –freshly grated is best for melty cheese. And feel free to top your casserole with a little sprinkle as well.

Variations

Now if you don’t have 1 large carrot or happen to have an ear of corn on hand, then don’t sweat it. Use what you have! Any veggies would be tasty. Here are some other variations for this Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe:

  • Meat:instead of using ham, try leftover or rotisserie chicken! Quick and tasty!
  • Rice:you could go the healthier route and use brown rice, just remember that it takes slightly longer to cook. Quinoa is also a good option.
  • Cheese:switching out the type of cheese is a great way to change the whole casserole. You could go sharper or milder and still have a great dinner on your hands.
  • Veggies:as I said before, use what you have! Celery, spinach, artichoke hearts, cauliflower, and zucchini are all wonderful options.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (2)

How to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole

The whole cooking method to this dish is super simple and can be done in about 10 minutes, then it’s off to the oven to bake! For full details check out the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat oven. Lightly grease a baking dish and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet melt butter. Saute onions, carrot, corn, and ham until veggies start to soften. Stir in broccoli and cream of chicken soup.
  3. Once the soup starts to melt into the veggies, add in seasonings, rice, and water. Stir to incorporate and remove any lumps
  4. Melt cheese into mixture and pour entire contents of skillet into prepared baking dish. Bake until rice is completely cooked and no liquid remains. Serve hot.

Also, I would like to point out that cooking rice in the oven is genius. You absolutely cannot CANNOT screw it up. Lots of people don’t know how to cook rice which baffles my mind. To them, I say bake it in the oven in a casserole, and it will turn out beautifully.

And then while your Broccoli Rice Casserole is baking, you can do the dishes, make a salad, set the table, and check your email. And then feel like wonder woman. Don’t you love days where you feel like that?

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (3)

More Casseroles to Try!

If you loved this dinner, be sure to check out my other casserole recipes!

  • Easy Taco Casserole
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Buttery Corn Casserole
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

So there you have it, my friends. Broccoli Rice Casserole, an easy and delicious dinner everyone will love.

Printable recipe card is below 🙂

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4.50 from 24 votes

Broccoli Rice Casserole

This cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is impossible to mess up and super tasty! It's a vegetable-filled dinner that everyone will love!

servings 4 servings

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion diced
  • 1 large carrot peeled & diced
  • 1 ear yellow sweet corn
  • 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
  • 4 oz. deli ham diced
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 pinches ground thyme
  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups medium cheddar cheese grated

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease baking dish and set aside. {Use a 9x9 square dish or one that is slightly larger.}

  • Place large skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Saute onions, carrot, corn, and ham 5-7 minutes or until veggies start to soften. Stir in broccoli and cream of chicken soup.

  • Once soup starts to melt into the veggies, add in seasonings, rice and water. Stir to incorporate and remove any lumps

  • Melt cheese into mixture and pour entire contents of skillet into prepared baking dish. Bake 40 minutes or until rice is completely cooked and no liquid remains. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1220mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3645IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 372mg | Iron: 2.8mg

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli cheese rice casserole, broccoli rice casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (2024)

FAQs

Why is my broccoli casserole soupy? ›

Old-school broccoli and cheese casserole is not bad. But with an update, it can be great. Watery vegetables can expel moisture while cooking, leaving your casserole soupy and unappetizing; but luckily, the fix is easier than you might think: simply swap your fresh for frozen.

Is broccoli cheese and rice good for you? ›

155 G of broccoli cheese rice (Sensational Sides) contains 230 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 49% carbs, 37% fat, and 14% protein. This is a good source of protein (14% of your Daily Value), calcium (15% of your Daily Value), and vitamin a (25% of your Daily Value).

What's in broccoli rice casserole? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli.
  • 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup.
  • 2 cups instant rice.
  • ¾ cup chopped onion.
  • ¼ cup butter.
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar process cheese sauce.
  • salt to taste.
  • ground black pepper to taste.

What is broccoli cheese casserole made of? ›

2 eggs beaten, 1 cup melted margarine, 1 cup HELLMAN's (not miracle whip) mayonnaise, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, 2 Tbsp chopped onion, 2 pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli, 1 small bag pepperidge farm stuffing mix.

How do you thicken broccoli casserole? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. Then, let the casserole finish baking.

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Casseroles can really shine when they achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

Which is healthier rice or mac and cheese? ›

For lower calorie and carbohydrate content, rice comes out top. But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.

Why do bodybuilders eat rice and broccoli? ›

The Benefits of Rice, Chicken, and Broccoli

A popular combination of meals for bodybuilders is rice, chicken, and broccoli. It is indeed a very simple yet effective meal. The benefits are quite simple, it helps bulk up the body and refuel a lot of energy.

Is broccoli better for you than potatoes? ›

Very generally speaking, cooked starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, pack about 15 grams of carbs and 80 calories per 1/2 cup (70–90 grams), whereas non-starchy types like broccoli contain about 5 grams of carbs and 25 calories in an equivalent portion (1, 2).

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

What to add to a bland casserole? ›

From boring to brilliant: Five easy ways to fix a bland recipe
  1. Salt. Advertisement. ...
  2. Acid. One of my favorite ways to perk up a bland dish is with a splash of acid. ...
  3. Chilli peppers. Adding something spicy is a sure way to transform an underseasoned dish. ...
  4. Sugar. ...
  5. Fresh herbs.
Mar 13, 2023

What is broccoli sauce made of? ›

🍴Why you will love this recipe

In fact it is made from the simplest of ingredients - broccoli, lemon, walnuts and olive oil. It is a sauce quickly whizzed up in a blender or food processor, so there's no faffing with flour or stirring until your arm aches!

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen? ›

Broccoli: I use frozen broccoli florets for ease, but you can also use fresh broccoli florets if you prefer. The frozen steam-in-bag broccoli florets are a nice shortcut because there's no need to chop the broccoli and you can just cook it in the microwave in a few minutes.

What is a melty cheese for casserole? ›

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points - cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options. Which melts better, mild or sharp cheddar? Mild cheddar melts more smoothly than sharper (more aged) cheddar.

What to do if casserole is too liquidy? ›

Add A Starch

Even if you're a beginner cook, you probably know that adding a starch can help transform liquidy dishes into creamy delights. Cornstarch and flour are two popular options, but don't you dare add them directly to your casserole. Instead, make a slurry.

How do you fix watery broccoli soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How do you make broccoli not watery? ›

To avoid soggy broccolis try steaming it for 2 minutes and check the texture, if required cook for a minute more but not more than that. After this, you put the boiled broccoli into ice water, the constant shock will make them crispy.

How do you remove excess water from broccoli? ›

NOTE: After I strain the broccoli, I shake the colander over the sink until most of the water has come out. Then I place some paper towels on the counter and dump the broccoli onto the paper towels in a single layer. This helps to get the remaining water out and lets the broccoli cool quickly, and not be mushy!

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