Rice, Broccoli, & Cheese Casserole

 

This Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe is made from scratch with no condensed soup! Fresh broccoli cooked until tender crisp and fluffy rice come together in a creamy cheesy homemade sauce to create a family favorite side dish!

This cheesy broccoli rice casserole is great served alongside our Crispy Baked Chicken with a tossed salad for the perfect easy meal!

If you’re looking for a side dish your whole family is going to love, this broccoli rice casserole is the answer! I’ve combined my favorite velvety cheese sauce with a combination of broccoli & rice and baked it until bubbly. The result is a side (or a quick meatless meal that my whole family loves)!

How Do You Make Broccoli Rice Casserole

Don’t let the homemade sauce scare you away from giving this recipe a try, this from scratch cheese sauce tastes amazing (much better than just adding in a can of soup)!

1. The sauce for this recipe starts with a roux (which is just butter and flour cooked and milk added). Let the butter and flour cook for a few minutes before adding milk for the best flavor.
2. Slowly stir in milk a bit at a time while whisking and cook until thick and bubbly. Add cheeses and stir until melted and creamy.
3. Toss cheese sauce with broccoli and rice and bake in a casserole dish.

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• SAUCE
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup onion diced (about 1 small)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon each garlic & black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook onion and butter on medium-low heat until softened and translucent. Stir in flour, garlic powder and pepper. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
3. Gradually pour in milk while whisking. Continue whisking over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add dry mustard, paprika, cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
4. Place broccoli in boiling water for about 2 minutes. You still want it slightly crisp as it cooks more in the oven.
5. Stir together rice, broccoli and cheese sauce. Place in a greased 2 qt casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake 35 minutes or until bubbly and cheese lightly browned.