Mom’s Ultimate Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole: A Heartwarming Comfort Food Classic
Discovering the Magic of Mom’s Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole
Why This Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole Belongs in Your Recipe Rotation
- **The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser:** My mom’s broccoli casserole is an absolute hit for any holiday meal, be it Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any large family gathering. Its universally appealing cheesy, creamy, and savory profile makes it the perfect dish to satisfy everyone, from the pickiest eaters to the most discerning palates. It disappears quickly, so be prepared to make a double batch!
- **Effortless & Incredibly Easy to Make:** Seriously, the simplicity of this recipe is one of its greatest strengths. Forget complicated steps or endless chopping. All you truly need to do is combine all the ingredients into one baking dish, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen. It’s a “dump and bake” dream, ideal for busy cooks who don’t want to sacrifice flavor for convenience.
- **Perfect for Leftovers & Smart Meal Prep:** This casserole is a meal-prepper’s best friend. Make a generous batch on your designated meal prepping day, and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat lunches or dinners prepared for several days. Not only does it hold up beautifully in the refrigerator, but many find that the flavors deepen and become even more delightful the next day. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
Essential Ingredients for Mom’s Signature Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole
Crafting this iconic casserole requires a few key components that come together to create its signature creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
Broccoli: For this recipe, I typically opt for convenient frozen broccoli cuts. They’re pre-chopped, readily available, and steam up perfectly. However, if you prefer, fresh broccoli florets would work beautifully, too! Just ensure they are steamed until tender-crisp before adding them to the casserole to ensure they cook evenly and integrate well with the other ingredients.
Onion: A small yellow or white onion, finely chopped, is essential for adding an aromatic depth and a subtle, savory sweetness to this dish. Onions are truly the unsung heroes of many comfort foods, providing a foundational layer of flavor that you can never go wrong with!
Cheese Whiz: Ah, Cheese Whiz! This iconic cheesy delicacy is an absolute staple and a non-negotiable ingredient in this particular casserole. Its unique texture and savory, processed cheese flavor melt seamlessly into the sauce, creating that signature creamy consistency and unmistakable taste that defines this recipe. You’ll definitely want a jar (or two!) of it for authentic results.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: This classic ingredient contributes significantly to the casserole’s rich, savory, and umami-packed base. You can use a standard canned cream of mushroom soup for convenience, or for an even fresher and more gourmet touch, consider making your own homemade cream of mushroom soup. Either way, it adds incredible depth.
Cream of Chicken Soup: Complementing the mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup further enhances the casserole’s overall flavor profile and contributes to its luxurious, thick texture. It’s definitely a key ingredient that binds all the flavors together and provides that extra layer of hearty comfort. Don’t skip this for the authentic taste!
Milk: Any kind of milk will work to achieve the desired creamy consistency in this recipe, whether it’s whole milk, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative. I typically use dairy milk for its traditional richness, but feel free to choose what you have on hand or what suits your dietary needs.
Rice: Uncooked minute rice is my preferred choice for this recipe due to its quick cooking time and ability to absorb the flavors beautifully without becoming mushy. If you don’t have minute rice available, you can easily substitute it with an equal amount of cooked regular white rice. Just ensure it’s fully cooked before adding it, as this will affect the overall liquid content and baking time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
Making this comforting casserole is incredibly straightforward, involving just a few simple steps. Let’s get started:
First, you’ll want to **preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit**. This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature for even baking once the casserole is ready. While the oven preheats, **spray a 9×13 inch baking dish generously** with a non-stick cooking spray, or simply grease it with your oil of choice. This prevents sticking and makes for easier serving.
Next, if using frozen broccoli, **steam the frozen broccoli** until it is no longer frozen and has reached a tender-crisp consistency. Avoid overcooking it at this stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven. After steaming, **roughly chop the broccoli florets** into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that the broccoli is well distributed throughout the casserole and easy to eat.
Now for the magic! **Place all of the ingredients** – that’s the steamed and chopped broccoli, finely diced onion, Cheese Whiz, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, milk, and uncooked minute rice – **into a large pot on the stove**. Stir everything together until it’s well combined and heat the mixture through over medium heat, just until it’s warm and the Cheese Whiz has started to melt and incorporate, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. This step helps to jumpstart the cooking process and meld the flavors.
Once your creamy, cheesy mixture is perfectly warmed and combined, **pour it evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish**. Ensure it’s spread out from edge to edge for even cooking. Finally, **bake the casserole uncovered for approximately 1 1/2 hours**, or until the rice is fully cooked, the mixture is bubbly, and the top is lightly golden and irresistible. If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil for the remaining bake time.
Once baked to perfection, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Then, **serve** this delectable dish right from the warm casserole dish at the table for a cozy family meal, or present it buffet style for larger gatherings. It’s truly a dish that brings smiles to faces!
Frequently Asked Questions About Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole
Can you put uncooked rice directly into a casserole?
This is a common question, and the answer is nuanced. Typically, it is not recommended to put uncooked regular rice directly into a casserole unless you ensure there is ample liquid covering the rice for it to fully absorb and cook. Keep in mind that using uncooked regular rice will significantly increase the required cooking time for the entire casserole! However, for this specific recipe, I use Minute Rice, which is pre-cooked and dehydrated, meaning it cooks much faster and absorbs liquid more efficiently. This makes it an ideal choice for casseroles like this one, ensuring that it’s never a problem and consistently yields perfectly tender results without extending the baking time excessively. If you *must* use regular rice, I highly recommend cooking it beforehand according to package directions, then adding it to the mixture, which will help maintain the original recipe’s cooking time and consistency.
How Long Does This Casserole Stay Good in the Fridge?
Once cooked, this delicious broccoli rice casserole will stay fresh and perfectly good in the refrigerator for about **three to four days** when stored properly in an airtight container. This makes it an absolute winner for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy flavorful lunches or dinners throughout the week. Many even find that the flavors of the casserole meld and deepen overnight, making the leftovers even more delicious than the fresh batch!
Can You Freeze This Casserole for Later?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for future meals or for extending the life of any leftovers. If you anticipate not finishing all your delicious leftovers within the three to four days they’ll last in the refrigerator, simply transfer the cooled casserole into a **freezer-safe storage container or heavy-duty freezer bag**. Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. This casserole can be safely stored in the freezer for up to **six months**. Don’t forget to clearly label the broccoli casserole with the date you froze it, so you can easily keep track!
Best Ways to Reheat Broccoli Rice Casserole
When you’re ready to savor your broccoli casserole once again, you have a few convenient options for reheating it, depending on your preference and time constraints! You can quickly reheat individual portions in the **microwave for about 1:30 to 2:00 minutes**, stirring halfway through, until heated through. For larger portions or a crisper topping, place the casserole in a **preheated 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes**, or until it’s warmed through and bubbly. Alternatively, for a smaller serving, you can even **cook it in a skillet** on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. This method can give the bottom a nice, slightly crispy texture.
If reheating from frozen, it’s best to allow the casserole to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave or oven. If you’re in a pinch and need to cook the broccoli casserole straight from the freezer, be aware that you will need a significantly longer cook time for any of the methods to ensure it’s heated all the way through to a safe temperature.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole
- For presentation purposes, I sometimes add a few fresh broccoli florets on top of the casserole before baking, or even sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar cheese for the last 15 minutes of baking. While it makes the dish look even more appealing and delicious, it is by no means necessary for the recipe’s fantastic flavor! The core ingredients do all the heavy lifting.
- To achieve the optimal texture and ensure tender, perfectly cooked rice throughout your casserole, make sure to use either **cooked regular rice or uncooked minute rice**. Using uncooked long-grain or short-grain rice without sufficient liquid or proper pre-cooking can result in crunchy rice in your final dish. Stick to these two options for the best, most satisfying results.
- If you’re looking to make this already delicious casserole even **more hearty and substantial**, consider incorporating some cooked protein. Shredded cooked ham or diced cooked chicken breast mixed directly into the casserole before baking elevates it to a complete one-dish meal. The savory notes of the meat pair wonderfully with the creamy, cheesy base. You could also try crumbled bacon for an extra layer of flavor!
- **Customize Your Cheese:** While Cheese Whiz is key for the classic flavor, feel free to add a layer of shredded sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorite cheeses on top during the last 15-20 minutes of baking for an extra golden, bubbly crust.
- **Add a Crunchy Topping:** For a delightful textural contrast, sprinkle a handful of crushed Ritz crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, or even crushed crispy fried onions over the top of the casserole before baking. This adds a fantastic savory crunch to each serving.
- **Vary Your Veggies:** While broccoli is the star, don’t hesitate to experiment with other vegetables. A handful of frozen mixed vegetables, corn, or peas can be added along with the broccoli for extra color and nutrition. Just make sure they are thawed and drained well.
- **Serving Suggestions:** This casserole is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a comforting main course with a simple green salad or some crusty bread. It also shines as a robust side dish for roasted chicken, pork chops, or, as mentioned, a holiday ham. It’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or just a cozy night in.
LOVE IT? PIN IT!
Don’t forget to pin this incredibly delicious and easy recipe to your favorite Pinterest board! This way, it will be super easy to find whenever that craving for ultimate comfort food strikes. Share the cheesy goodness!
Explore More of My Favorite Comfort Food Recipes
If you enjoyed this classic casserole, you’re in for a treat! Here are a few more beloved recipes that bring warmth and flavor to any table:
- Hearty Chicken and Broccoli Casserole: Another fantastic chicken and broccoli combo, perfect for a family dinner.
- Savory Broccoli Stuffed Mushrooms: A delightful appetizer or side dish featuring everyone’s favorite green veggie.
- Classic Reuben Casserole: All the iconic flavors of a Reuben sandwich transformed into a comforting bake.
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole: Imagine a fully loaded baked potato, but in casserole form – pure bliss!
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Print Recipe
Broccoli, Rice and Cheese Casserole
Equipment
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Rubber Spatulas
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Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick 1-Quart Saucepan with Lid
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9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid
Ingredients
- 2 10.8 ounce packages frozen broccoli cuts, steamed and then roughly chopped
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 8 ounce jar CheeseWhiz
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 soup can milk
- 1 cup uncooked minute rice
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
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Steam frozen broccoli until no longer frozen. Give it a rough chop so these pieces are more bite-sized.
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Place all of the ingredients in a pot on the stove and heat through. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 1 1/2 hours.
Nutrition
