By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 10, 2023
This easy Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe is a holiday must-make side dish in my house! It’s a supremely cheesy broccoli casserole that, thanks to the Crockpot, frees up some oven space on busy days like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SLOW-COOKER-VELVEETA-BROCCOLI-RICE-CASSEROLE-4-edited.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“A crock pot full of granola with a wooden spoon, but replace “granola” with “velveeta” and “wooden spoon” with “broccoli rice casserole. - 5”>
What’s in Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole
On a crazy busy holiday, it pays to have an easy Crockpot recipe like this one that calls for such simple ingredients!
- Minute Rice: No need to cook it before it goes in the Crockpot.
- Velveeta Cheese: American cheese is the closest substitute, but Velveeta really is the best.
- Frozen Broccoli: No need to defrost!
- Onion Flakes: You can use minced onion instead if preferred.
- Water Chestnuts: They’ll need to be fully drained and diced into smaller pieces.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup : Make it from scratch or use a store-bought can. Both options are just fine!
- Chicken Broth: Beef broth also works well.
- Milk: Whole milk helps to create the best thick consistency.
- White Wine: Learn all about the best wines to cook with HERE !
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper creates the best flavor.
Pro Tip: You can make a crushed cracker topping to add some extra texture into the mix too. All you need is melted butter and Ritz crackers.
Can I use fresh broccoli?
Absolutely! And you shouldn’t need to change the cook time, either. Just make sure the broccoli is tender and cooked before serving.
It depends if you are wanting your dish ready 2 hours (high) or 4 hours (low)!
You sure can! But if you do go that route, I recommend just making chicken broccoli cheese casserole .
Absolutely! Just do a quick taste test before serving to make sure it’s cooked all the way through.
How to Store and Reheat
In an airtight container in the fridge, Crockpot broccoli and rice casserole will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until warmed all the way through.
How to Freeze
You can freeze this cheesy broccoli casserole for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s fully cooled to room temperature prior to storing in a freezer-safe container. I recommend letting it slowly thaw in the fridge prior to reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Happy Thanksgiving! Celebrate the holiday with more of the very best side dish recipes like sweet potato mash , dinner rolls and homemade stuffing .
5-Star Review
“This recipe was so easy and delicious!” – Kath B.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ cup Minute Rice
- ▢ ¾ lb. Velveeta Cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
- ▢ 14.4 ounces frozen broccoli chopped
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion flakes or ¼ cup onion minced
- ▢ 1 can water chestnuts drained and diced, 8 oz.
- ▢ 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup use canned or click for homemade recipe
- ▢ 1 can unsalted chicken broth OR beef broth, 10½ oz.
- ▢ 1 cup milk
- ▢ ¼ cup white wine opt.
- ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ▢ Optional topping:
- ▢ 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers.
- ▢ ¼ cup butter melted
Video
Instructions
- Turn slow cooker to desired temperature.
- Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir thoroughly.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 2 hours or LOW 4 hours.
- If desired (and if your crock pot has removable crock), combine crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker/butter mixture over cooked casserole and place under oven broiler to brown. It can burn quickly, so watch closely.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Slow Cooker Side Dish Recipes We Love
- Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
- Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
- Crockpot Glazed Carrots
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese
<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SLOW-COOKER-VELVEETA-BROCCOLI-RICE-CASSEROLE-4-edited-150x150.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“A crock pot full of granola with a wooden spoon, but replace “granola” with “velveeta” and “wooden spoon” with “broccoli rice casserole. - 9”>
Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Minute Rice
- ¾ lb. Velveeta Cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 14.4 ounces frozen broccoli chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion flakes or ¼ cup onion minced
- 1 can water chestnuts drained and diced, 8 oz.
- 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup use canned or click for homemade recipe
- 1 can unsalted chicken broth OR beef broth, 10½ oz.
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup white wine opt.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- Optional topping:
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers.
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Turn slow cooker to desired temperature.
- Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir thoroughly.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 2 hours or LOW 4 hours.
- If desired (and if your crock pot has removable crock), combine crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker/butter mixture over cooked casserole and place under oven broiler to brown. It can burn quickly, so watch closely.
- Enjoy!
Video
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!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
