Family Favorite Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Name: Family Favorite Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 16 oz broccoli, 1 bag frozen broccoli, cooked; 16 oz Velveeta, 1 block Velveeta cheese, cubed; 1 stick butter, cut in half; 1 roll Ritz Crackers, crushed; 10.5 oz cream of broccoli; 10.5 oz milk, use soup can; 4 cups white rice, cooked

by Jennifer Soltys

8 Servings

1 hr

There’s a broccoli rice casserole that our family requests every year for the holidays. It’s super cheesy with cauliflower, broccoli, rice, and a crunchy cracker topping.

The recipe originally came from my friend’s mom. She makes it for every gathering they host, and we all rave about it every single time.

Cheesy rice casserole topped with crackers.

Rich & Cheesy Family Favorite Holiday Side Dish

Once I got the recipe from Shannon’s mom, my family quickly experienced the cheesy deliciousness of this broccoli rice casserole.

You can choose to use broccoli or buy the winter mix vegetables which is broccoli and cauliflower. I once tried the veggie mix that includes carrots, but it didn’t go over as well.

Broccoli and cheese casserole with cracker topping on a plate with a fork.

Since the broccoli cheese casserole is quite rich and creamy, I only make it for holidays. It’s one of the most popular holiday side dishes in our family, especially amongst the picky eater crowd.

There are no sneaky onions or other hidden horrors to us picky people. I typically make a gigantic batch and end up with leftovers for everyone.

The recipe here is halved to make it easier. If you have a large crowd, feel free to double the recipe.

Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to buy the ingredients around a holiday.

Twice in a row now my local grocery store ran out of Velveeta cheese a few days before Christmas! I had to run all over town to try to find it, so be warned.

Since this veggie casserole is prepared the day before, it’s one less thing to do the day of a holiday. It still requires 30 minutes in the oven, but at least the major preparation is done.

Vegetable casserole on a plate with a fork.

This veggie side dish is filling and delicious.

The Ritz Cracker topping adds flavor, texture, and makes it even more filling.

Velveeta, Ritz crackers, broccoli, and rice in all of the steps to make cheesy broccoli casserole.

Broccoli and rice casserole topped with crackers in a dish.

Holiday Side Dish Recipes:

Hash brown casserole
Zucchini and vegetable gratin
Slow cooker sweet potatoes
Caprese salad shooters
Fluffy cranberry salad

Note: This broccoli casserole recipe was originally posted on Jan 22, 2013. We updated the post with more accurate instructions and better pictures.

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A casserole dish with cheesy broccoli side dish and a serving on a plate.

If you’re looking for a recipe for broccoli casserole, I suggest you give this one a try.

It’s a hit amongst our family and many of my friends’ families, as well. Please let us know if you try it.

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Do you make a broccoli rice casserole for the holidays?

Family Favorite Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

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Recipe details

Yield 8 Servings
Time spent: Prep time: 30 Minutes Cook time: 30 Minutes Total time: 1 hr

Show Nutrition Info

Per serving

% Daily value

Instructions

Boil rice and set aside.
Boil broccoli (or mixed veggies) and drain well, set aside.
Use a large pot to mix ingredients, starting with the soup and milk. Add soup and 1 can of milk (using soup can).
Cut Velveeta cheese into chunks and add to soup mixture until melted. Add gradually so the cheese melts easier.
Add rice to soup mixture.
Melt 1/2 stick of butter and pour over broccoli.
Add broccoli to mixture and mix well.
Put into a pan - should fit into one 9 x 13 pan.
Crumble Ritz crackers and sprinkle over top.
Put into refrigerator overnight.

Next Day

Melt the other 1/2 stick of butter and drizzle over crackers.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Comments

Bek on Jun 30, 2023

Made this once, as directed, and loved it. Made it again with bite-sized chunks of left-over chicken, and OH MY!

9 Reply
- Jennifer Soltys on Jun 30, 2023
  
  Ooooh, love that idea with leftover chicken. Yum. Thanks for sharing!
  
  3
Jean Reid on Jul 03, 2023

This sounds divine and I was just going through my freezer to see what veggies I wanted to use up. May I ask what benefit putting it in the fridge overnight has?

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- Tammie Arvila on Jul 03, 2023
  
  Probably several reasons, one being that the casserole will be done for the next day so that she won't have to make it the day of the event. Second benefit is that the flavors will "marry" and meld, making the flavors combine for a much more savory dish. Kind of like how soup is tastier the next day after you make it. This does sound like a tasty dish and I like the idea of adding the chicken like one poster suggested.
  
  4
- Jennifer Soltys on Jul 05, 2023
  
  Yes, Tammie is correct. :)
  
  Like