Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole (Printable)
Comforting casserole with tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Serves 6 and takes under an hour.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, cut into bite-size pieces
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Rice
04 - 2 cups cooked white rice
→ Dairy and Cheese
05 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Sauces and Seasonings
08 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
→ Topping
13 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
02 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, blanched broccoli, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard. Mix until well combined.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
06 - Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy, golden cheese crust that forms on top hides the creamiest, most velvety rice youll ever taste.
- Its become my go-to dish for both picky eaters and gourmands alike because theres something magically comforting about the familiar flavors working together.
02 -
- After years of soggy casseroles, I discovered that draining the broccoli thoroughly after steaming makes all the difference between a watery mess and a perfectly textured dish.
- Adding just a touch of ground mustard was a complete accident the first time, but it creates this subtle depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
03 -
- When reheating leftovers, sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the top before covering with foil, which creates steam and prevents the rice from drying out.
- For a crusty top that stays crispy even when stored, add the breadcrumb topping only when reheating rather than during the initial bake.