Cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food that brings together tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce. This dish is the perfect side for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and offers a satisfying balance of textures — creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of crunch.
To start, you’ll cook your rice until tender, whether white or brown, depending on your preference. While the rice is cooking, you can prepare the broccoli by steaming or blanching it until it’s bright green and tender. The combination of soft rice and crunchy broccoli is what makes this casserole so delicious.
The cheese sauce is the heart of this dish. Made from a mixture of butter, flour, and milk, you create a creamy béchamel base. Then, stir in your favorite cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of both. The cheese sauce thickens as it melts, coating the rice and broccoli with gooey, comforting goodness.
Once the rice and broccoli are mixed with the cheese sauce, the casserole is placed in a baking dish, and for an extra layer of flavor, you can top it with more shredded cheese. To add some texture, a sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top can be toasted in the oven, creating a nice, crispy layer that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling.
Baked until the top is golden brown and bubbly, this casserole is ready to be served as a side or even as a main dish. The richness of the cheese, combined with the fresh flavor of the broccoli and the heartiness of the rice, makes it a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent.
For drinks, pair this casserole with a crisp white wine like Chardonnay, a light sparkling water with lemon, or even a simple iced tea.
Cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is a classic dish that can be customized with additional ingredients like mushrooms, onions, or even some cooked chicken for extra protein, making it a versatile and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- 2 cups cooked rice preferably white or brown
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.75 oz can
- 1/4 cup milk whole or 2%
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, cooked rice, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and milk.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, and stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This casserole is a game-changer! So cheesy and filling. I added a little garlic powder for extra flavor.
Very tasty! I added some garlic powder and breadcrumbs on top, made it even better! 👍
Just okay. Lacked some flavor, maybe add garlic next time.
I agree! A good garlic kick would make it better. I usually add garlic powder to mine and it’s fantastic!
Honestly, I think it was fine as is. Sometimes the simplest dishes are best. Don’t overthink it!
Made this tonight and it was sooo comforting. The cheesy top got nicely bubbly, and the broccoli didn’t get too mushy. Will definitely make again.
Aww I love hearing this! The bubbly cheesy top is the best part 😄 Glad the broccoli stayed nice too—mine usually turns out a little mushy unless I keep an eye on it.
Delicious! I added some chicken to it and it was even better.
Perfect side dish for family dinner. Not too hard, I can handle it. 🙂
This was absolutely delicious!! My kids loved it, and I loved how easy it was to make.
Made this for dinner last night and it was ridiculously comforting. The cheese gets all melty and the broccoli still has a nice bite. I used frozen broccoli and didn’t have any issues.
I thought this recipe was just okay, it was a bit bland.
Bland? Really? I found it cheesy and yummy! Everyone’s taste is different, I guess.
I think it needs more spices or something. Maybe some garlic or onion? Gotta give it a kick!
Um, is there a reason this has mushroom?? I don’t like them at all!
WOW this is a great recipe! I will make it again for sure 🙂
Good recipe but more broccoli next time for me. I like my veggies!
This casserole is a family favorite! So cheesy and delicious! Would definitely make again.
I thought mushroom soup was gross… but this actually worked. Kind of surprised.
Uhh, you missing some spices or somethin? Needs more flavor!
This is my first time cooking! Took a little longer than expected but worth it! 🙂
I tried this but it turned out kinda mushy. Not sure if I did something wrong.
Sounds like you might’ve cooked it too long or added too much liquid. I never had that issues though!
This was super easy and yummy! My kids loved it!
I’m glad to hear your kids loved it! It’s such an easy recipe. Did you add anything extra to it?
This was sooo good! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear that! It’s one of those recipes that makes everyone happy. 😊
Looks good, but I’m not a fan of mushroom soup. Does it taste strong? 🤔
Super easy and forgiving. I had frozen broccoli and microwave rice, and it still turned out great. I added garlic powder too because why not.
Yummy in my tummy! This will be a staple in our house now. 😋
Cheesy broccoli casserole is my childhood vibe. This hits the spot. I used brown rice and it still worked great.
I’m skeptical about using cream of mushroom. Can I swap it for something else?
You can use cream of chicken or even make a homemade white sauce if you’re not sure about the cream of mushroom. I did that once and it worked great!
Easy recipe! My kids loved it, but I think I’ll add some chicken next time for protein.
This is too easy, was thinking it was a trick. But I guess it’s real, haha.
I was skeptical about cream of mushroom soup, but wow. It made everything bind nicely. Great “use up leftovers” meal.
Same here—I was anti “cream of mushroom” for years 😅 but this casserole actually *works*. The binding is real, and the cheddar makes it comforting without being weird.
Not gonna lie, I don’t trust cream soup… but I tried it anyway. Mine came out a little thick so I added another splash of milk and it was fine. Good leftover idea!
Casserole? More like cassa-yum! Imma make this every week!!!
I made this for a potluck and it disappeared fast! A big hit!!
I’m not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using cream of mushroom soup with rice… but wow. It’s like a shortcut that actually tastes homemade.
Same! I always think cream of mushroom soup is gonna taste “canned,” but this combo with cheddar + broccoli totally fooled me. Definitely making again.
I’m still kinda side-eyeing it 😅 but rice casseroles need something to bind. If you add extra cheese or a splash more milk, it probably comes out better. I might try.
Delish! My friend who hates broccoli even liked it. 😋
I don’t like broccoli, so I substituted it with cauliflower. Still turned out good!
Really? Cauliflower instead of broccoli? Isn’t that kinda different?
Cauliflower is a great substitute! I didn’t think of that. Glad it worked for you!
How can you use rice in a casserole? Sounds weird. But I’ll give it a try.
Rice in a casserole can be delicious! It adds a nice texture and helps fill it out. Hope you enjoy it! 😊
Yummy! Gonna make again for sure. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m not a fan of broccoli, but my kids loved it! I guess that counts for something.
I followed the recipe but it came out too dry. I think it needs more milk or maybe some broth.
I dont know. I think I prefer plain rice. This seems complicated for no reason.
Plain rice is good, but don’t knock it till you try it! This is really easy to make and it tastes awesome!
I get what you mean, but this casserole is super comforting! You can always simplify it by using less cheese or making it with just the rice and broccoli. Totally up to you!
It was okay, but way too much cheese for my taste. Next time, I’ll cut back.
I only had cheddar “shreds” with anti-caking stuff and it clumped a little. Still tasty, but next time I’ll shred it myself.
Used low-fat milk and it turned out fine, just less rich. Would recommend whole milk if you want that full casserole flavor.
So easy to make! I didn’t have cream of mushroom, so I used chicken soup and it worked great.