Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole (green Rice Casserole)

By Becky Hardin

Published Oct 26, 2023

The best broccoli cheese rice casserole. - 2

Broccoli cheese rice casserole best green rice casserole. - 3

The best broccoli cheese rice casserole. - 4

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, flavor-filled side dish perfect for holidays or any weeknight dinner. This green rice casserole is filled with rice, broccoli, and cheese, and water chestnuts add that extra crunch. Cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is one of my favorite recipes to serve on Thanksgiving because it’s so easy, and you can make it ahead of time too!

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What’s in Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole?

Casseroles of all kinds are my favorite, and this cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is at the top of the list. It’s a total crowd-pleaser, it’s cheesy, rice-y, and broccoli-y…what’s not to love?

Frozen Broccoli: No need to thaw; simply cook according to the instructions on the package, and it’s ready to use! You can also steam fresh broccoli if you prefer. You’ll need about 4 cups.
Minute Rice: Another time-saving ingredient! Of course, you can cook some white rice from raw if you prefer, but I love this easy method!
Water Chestnuts: Add a delightful crunch to this casserole.
Cream of Mushroom Soup : Adds a rich and creamy texture and an umami flavor.
Milk: Adds moisture and creaminess.
Velveeta: Creates a smooth, velvety texture and infuses this casserole with so much cheesy flavor.
Cheddar Cheese: Enhances the overall cheesy flavor of the casserole.

Pro Tip: Try cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for a slightly different flavor!

Variations on Green Rice Casserole

There are tons of ways to change up this cheesy casserole to suit your tastes. For a full meal, try adding some cooked diced chicken, ham, tuna, or crumbled bacon . You could also add more veggies, like roasted mushrooms or steamed cauliflower.

For a spicy casserole, try adding some diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce. And for a bit of crunch, top with crushed Ritz crackers or Panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter.

A collage of photos showing how to make broccoli cheese rice casserole. - 6

You can use either! It’s important to blanch the broccoli before adding it to the casserole, though, so that it doesn’t end up undercooked.

Frozen broccoli can be steamed or boiled. Just make sure to follow the directions carefully and take care not to overcook it!

Yes! That’s why we’re using minute rice to save on prep time.

Make sure not to overcook the casserole, and don’t cover it with foil while it bakes!

If your casserole is soupy, it is likely that the broccoli as not drained well enough. You may want to gently squeeze the broccoli in a towel to remove excess moisture.

You sure can! It will keep well for up to 3 months.

I personally prefer to freeze this casserole uncooked, then bake it straight from frozen the day of for about an hour. However, you can also freeze it fully cooked and simply defrost before reheating.

Green rice casserole topped with green onions. - 7

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover broccoli cheese rice casserole tightly covered with foil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze this green rice casserole baked or unbaked tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen (remove the plastic wrap first!) for about 1 hour or let the fully cooked casserole thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

I especially love this warm cheesy broccoli and rice casserole on Thanksgiving because it complements all the other foods so perfectly. Mashed potatoes , turkey , creamed corn , fresh dinner rolls … Yum!

It’s also great with a regular weeknight meal, like oven baked fried chicken , baked Caesar chicken , beef tenderloin , Salisbury steak , or smoked pork chops .

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Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 12.6 ounces frozen broccoli (1 bag/about 4 cups)
▢ 1½ cups minute rice
▢ 8 ounces water chestnuts (1 can)
▢ 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup store-bought or homemade (1 can)
▢ 10.5 ounces milk (use the soup can to measure)
▢ ¾ pound Velveeta (about 3 inches)
▢ 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook the broccoli according to the directions on the bag and drain. 12.6 ounces frozen broccoli
Cook the rice in 1 cup of water (follow instructions on the package). 1½ cups minute rice
Add all ingredients together (except shredded cheese), add to a 9×13-inch casserole dish, and mix well. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. 8 ounces water chestnuts, 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces milk, ¾ pound Velveeta, 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Equipment

9×13 Baking Pan

Becky’s Tips

This can be made ahead of time and baked when ready. It also freezes well!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Broccoli Casserole Recipes We Love

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe (Green Rice Casserole)

Equipment

9x13 Baking Pan

Ingredients

12.6 ounces frozen broccoli (1 bag/about 4 cups)
1½ cups minute rice
8 ounces water chestnuts (1 can)
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup store-bought or homemade (1 can)
10.5 ounces milk (use the soup can to measure)
¾ pound Velveeta (about 3 inches)
1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook the broccoli according to the directions on the bag and drain. 12.6 ounces frozen broccoli
Cook the rice in 1 cup of water (follow instructions on the package). 1½ cups minute rice
Add all ingredients together (except shredded cheese), add to a 9x13-inch casserole dish, and mix well. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. 8 ounces water chestnuts, 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces milk, ¾ pound Velveeta, 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

This can be made ahead of time and baked when ready. It also freezes well!

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!