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Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole From Scratch

This cheesy broccoli rice casserole recipe from scratch is easier to make than you think. You can serve it as a stand-alone dish on Meatless Monday or as a side dish on Thanksgiving. It’s THAT versatile. Hearty and delicious!

cheesy broccoli rice

There is no condensed soup on this ingredients list, but I know there are some recipes that swap out the flour for cream of cheddar or cream of celery. I am sure both ways work out just fine. In fact, I am going to test out this idea soon enough.

For now, I wanted to share this traditional cheesy broccoli rice recipe with you and show you how easy it is to prepare.

easy broccoli and rice casserole

Want to serve this cheesy broccoli rice as a side dish? How about pairing it alongside a Butterflied Roast Chicken? I also have a great recipe for Baked Lamb Chops In The Oven. YUM! Either one of these proteins would do.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole From Scratch

Do NOT let this homemade cheesy broccoli rice sauce scare you. I KNOW it seems daunting to have to make your own sauce, but trust me. The hardest part is stirring. And that’s not hard. 🙂

If you’d like to watch me cook this entire thing on YouTube, I filmed me making dinner for my family one night over on my new Happily Organized cooking channel. Would love for you to give it a subscribe if you can.

Ingredients for Broccoli Rice And Cheese Casserole

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 3/4 heavy cream
  • 16 ounces of frozen broccoli
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 medium onion – diced
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups of cheddar cheese plus more to sprinkle on top before baking
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broccoli cheddar rice

How To Make Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Without Soup

Preheat your oven 350 degrees.

To make this cheesy broccoli rice recipe, first put your bag of frozen broccoli in the microwave and cook for three minutes. Meanwhile, cook your onion and garlic in the butter and oil until your onion is translucent.

Stir in your flour. Salt and pepper and cook for a few more minutes. Pour in your milk and heavy cream – continuing to stir. Whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from heat.

rice casserole recipe

Add in the 2 cups of cheddar cheese. Stir until combined again. Set aside.

Take broccoli out and pour into a large bowl. Make sure the pieces are as small as you want them. You might want to dice them more. Drain excess water from bowl. It’s ok if they are still slightly frozen. Add salt and pepper. If you want, you can add some garlic powder or onion powder here.

rice and cheese casserole

Pour sauce over broccoli and add in your precooked rice. Stir until fully combined.

broccoli rice casserole from scratch

Grease a casserole dish and place mixture. Salt and pepper.

cheddar broccoli rice recipe

Top fully with cheddar cheese. Salt and pepper one last time. Bake for 35 minutes. When timer is up, set to broil and set a timer for 5 minutes. Be sure to watch your oven to make sure the top doesn’t get too crispy. Enjoy!

best broccoli rice casserole

Related: Hamburger Mac and Cheese Casserole, Loaded Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe, and slow cooker ham

easy broccoli and rice casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

This cheesy broccoli rice casserole recipe from scratch is easier to make than you think. You can serve it as a stand-alone dish on Meatless Monday or as a side dish on Thanksgiving. It's THAT versatile. Hearty and delicious! 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 heavy cream
  • 16 ounces of frozen broccoli
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 medium onion - diced
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups of cheddar cheese plus more to sprinkle on top before baking

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven 350 degrees.
  2. To make this cheesy broccoli rice recipe, first put your bag of frozen broccoli in the microwave and cook for three minutes. Meanwhile, cook your onion and garlic in the butter and oil until your onion is translucent.
  3. Stir in your flour. Salt and pepper and cook for a few more minutes. Pour in your milk and heavy cream - continuing to stir. Whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from heat.
  4. Add in the 2 cups of cheddar cheese. Stir until combined again. Set aside.
  5. Take broccoli out and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Make sure the pieces are as small as you want them. You might want to dice them more. Drain excess water from bowl. It's ok if they are still slightly frozen. Add salt and pepper. If you want, you can add some garlic powder or onion powder here.
  6. Pour sauce over broccoli and add in your precooked rice. Stir until fully combined.
  7. Grease a casserole dish and place mixture. Top fully with cheddar cheese. Salt and pepper one last time. Bake for 35 minutes. When timer is up, set to broil and set a timer for 5 minutes. Be sure to watch your oven to make sure the top doesn't get too crispy. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 365Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 397mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 15g

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram (@VeraSweeney) so I can see your wonderful creation! I would love to see your dish.

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