• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Side Dishes » Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

July 23, 2017 By Sara 28 Comments

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This broccoli and cheese casserole is loaded with broccoli and rice in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, all finished off with a crunchy topping. The ultimate make-ahead side dish!

This casserole is an instant classic which has the right amount of creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping.  For a complete meal you can serve the casserole with roasted turkey breast with garlic and herbs or smoked prime rib.

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Recipe | Broccoli and Rice Casserole | Broccoli with Cheese | Cheesy Rice Casserole | Easy Casserole Recipe #casserole #broccoli #cheese #rice #dinner #sidedish #dinneratthezoo

A spoonful of broccoli and cheese casserole.

There’s just something about broccoli with cheese, it’s a classic flavor combination that even the most staunch veggie haters can’t resist. This broccoli and cheese casserole may be my favorite casserole of all time, what’s not to love about broccoli and rice in a creamy cheese sauce?

Broccoli and rice casserole with cheddar cheese in a white baking dish

How Do You Make Broccoli And Cheese Casserole?

This recipe starts with cooked rice and broccoli florets that have been lightly steamed or blanched. You don’t want to overcook the broccoli because it will continue to cook in the casserole. You can use frozen broccoli here, just be aware that it will be on the mushier side in the casserole. You can use any type of cooked rice you want here, I typically use a long grain white rice, but brown rice would work well, or you could even try quinoa!

The broccoli and rice are mixed with a homemade cheese sauce, similar to what you might make for macaroni and cheese. After the broccoli and rice are coated in the sauce, they go into the casserole dish and are topped with more shredded cheese and a sprinkling of crushed buttery crackers. Bake till melty and golden brown and you’ve got an amazing broccoli rice casserole that will get rave reviews!

A broccoli and cheese casserole with a spoon coming out of itI love that this broccoli and cheese casserole can be assembled in advice, then popped into the oven right before you’re ready to serve it. If you plan to assemble in advance, leave the cracker crumbs off until right before you plan to bake it. I often serve this casserole as a side dish to grilled or baked chicken, but honestly it’s hearty enough that you could even serve it for a main course if you prefer.

Kids and adults alike will adore this broccoli rice and cheese casserole, sometimes we’ve even been known to eat it twice in one week! It’s just that good.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Pizza Stuffed Shells
  • Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • Shrimp Alfredo
  • Cheeseburger Pasta
  • Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Video


A spoonful of cheesy broccoli casserole
Print Pin
5 from 12 votes

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

This broccoli and cheese casserole is loaded with broccoli and rice in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, all finished off with a crunchy topping. The ultimate make-ahead side dish!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli and cheese casserole, broccoli casserole
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 383kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets lightly steamed or blanched
  • 3 1/2 cups cooked rice any variety
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups milk I use whole milk here
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided use
  • 2 ounces cream cheese cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika regular paprika can be substituted
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup crushed buttery cracker crumbs such as Ritz crackers
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray.
  • Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the flour to the pot and stir to coat the onions; cook for 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk the milk into the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until sauce has thickened (coats the back of a spoon).
  • Add the cream cheese, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and the salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic to the sauce. Stir until smooth.
  • Place the broccoli and rice in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the sauce over the top and toss to coat evenly.
  • Pour the broccoli mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese over the top, along with the crushed crackers.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: Make the casserole through sprinkling the cheese on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the crackers right before you bake the casserole. Add an additional 10 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 647mg | Potassium: 310mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1105IU | Vitamin C: 41.3mg | Calcium: 407mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Side Dishes Tagged With: Broccoli, Casserole, Cheese, Rice

Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

« Caprese Bread
Nutella Crepes with Berries »

Comments

  1. Paula says

    December 14, 2020 at 6:45 am

    Question can i use half n half instead of milk. And if i can.would i use the same amount of half n half as to milk?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 14, 2020 at 9:25 pm

      Yes that will work!

      Reply
  2. Robin Peterson says

    November 24, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    Ii would like to omit the rice. Should I reduce the liquid? I do not want the added starch. Thank you in advance for you response

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 24, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      This is a similar recipe but does not have rice in it! https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/broccoli-casserole/

      Reply
  3. Eh says

    November 24, 2020 at 8:20 am

    Ps… I had to make this two days before thanksgiving, it should be fine right? Also I only bake it the day “of”correct?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 24, 2020 at 11:45 am

      I would bake the day of. Did you already add the topping too? If not I’d add that later right before baking.

      Reply
  4. Emily says

    November 24, 2020 at 7:38 am

    I followed the recipe almost the same.. used one 10 oz can of condensed broccoli cheese soup and added 2/3 cup of half and half.. do I need to adjust the baking time?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 24, 2020 at 11:47 am

      The bake time should be the same!

      Reply
  5. Monica says

    November 16, 2020 at 6:01 am

    Has anyone put water chestnuts in it. I think that’s what grandma used to put in her.

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 17, 2020 at 3:26 pm

      I think that would work fine!

      Reply
  6. Kim says

    September 21, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    I add shredded chicken to make it into a casserole

    Reply
    • ROSEMARY M Yost says

      October 27, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Slivered almonds on top add an extra touch!

      Reply
  7. Lee Ana says

    June 18, 2020 at 1:09 pm

    I add curry powder to my casserole . Adds a little something extra. My family really enjoys it.

    Reply
  8. Candy says

    March 21, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Easy to make and the kids and I loved it!!!!

    Reply
  9. Grace says

    February 17, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    This was very enjoyable. Better than the other recipe I used.

    Reply
    • Caleb says

      February 17, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      I agree wholeheartedly

      Reply
  10. Jena says

    November 25, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    How can I add more cheesy liquid to the recipe? I’m afraid to add more milk and not enough flavor.

    This was delicious! My whole family loved it and has had me make it for them for parties they have had..

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 26, 2019 at 8:25 am

      You could try making 1 1/2 times the sauce, that way the cheese to milk ratio would stay the same!

      Reply
  11. Jacque Hooper says

    October 10, 2019 at 10:49 pm

    5 stars
    Nothing quite like the combination of cheese and broccoli! This was so delicious and my picky eaters even gobbled it up!

    Reply
  12. Sophie says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    Big fan of low-carb recipes. Now that I eat vegan, Miss broccoli and cheddar so much. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  13. Jacqueline Debono says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    I agree broccoli and cheese is a classic combo. Love the idea of turning it into a casserole with rice. Going to try this very soon!

    Reply
  14. Ivana says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favourite comfort meals ever, and your version looks excellent, thank you!

    Reply
  15. Jessica Formicola says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:23 am

    5 stars
    This dish was sooooo cheesy and delicious! I made it for dinner last night and everyone loved it!

    Reply
  16. Jen says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:03 am

    5 stars
    My kids ate this up! Thank you for giving me another veggie dish that I know everyone loves and will eat.

    Reply
  17. Anne Knickerbocker says

    May 11, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    Made a few substitutes like Sour cream instead of Cream cheese, Half shredded Parmesan/Mexican blend, green onions for a white onion and sautéed with 1 Clove fresh Garlic pressed, cut the amount of rice in half and made the difference up in chopped blanched broccoli, fabulous!

    Reply
  18. Bea says

    April 29, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    I tried it with brown rice and fresh broccoli. We loved it!

    Reply
  19. Greg says

    July 26, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    I love broccoli and cheddar! This is a great casserole!

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    July 24, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    Love these make ahead comfort food recipes!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
category category category category category category category

Categories

Sites I am featured In
PRIVACY POLICY © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2018.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food