This Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting side dish that’s perfect for both a weeknight dinner or for your holiday feast. This was a favorite dish growing up. My mom always had this cheesy dish. The tender broccoli and creamy cheese sauce come together to make a wonderful filling casserole.
Broccoli is one vegetable that my whole family loves. So I have lots of great recipes such as my broccoli crunch salad, straight from Amish country and my homemade beef and broccoli.
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Why this Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
I love this broccoli casserole with rice and Velveeta cheese because it’s a quick and easy holiday side dish. This perfect comfort food is super quick to make and can feed a crowd.
- 30 Minute Meal: This easy side dish recipe is quick and easy to prep!
- Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, cheesy, and satisfying.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Broccoli-rice casserole is a hit with both kids and adults.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with different ingredients.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Best broccoli cheese easy casserole recipes can be assembled ahead of time.
- Uses Leftovers: A great way to use leftover rice or broccoli with some Velveeta processed cheese.
- Affordable: Uses budget-friendly ingredients.
- It is delicious: Easy broccoli rice casserole is a very delicious and comforting dish.
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli for the Broccoli Casserole?
You can absolutely use fresh or frozen broccoli, but make sure that the frozen broccoli is thawed and dry before adding to the casserole.
Pro Tip Add Protein
Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick and easy protein addition.
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Rice and Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
All of the required ingredients for broccoli casserole with Velveeta and rice are easy to find at the store. If I don’t have them, I can use different ingredients to substitute.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- All Purpose Seasoning: I love using my homemade All Purpose Seasoning in everything, It’s great for when you need a pinch of seasonings.
- Spice Variations: Add dried herbs like thyme or oregano.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli. If you want to use frozen broccoli make sure it’s thawed so you don’t add any extra water into the cheese casserole.
- Vegetable Variations: Add carrots, cauliflower, corn, or mushrooms to the broccoli and cheese.
- Meat Variations: Add ham, ground beef, or turkey.
- Cheese Variations: Use a different type of cheese like sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheeses if you don’t like Velveeta.
- Rice Variations: Use wild rice or quinoa. Avoid using instant rice or minute rice as these types can become too soggy.
- Soup Variations: Use cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery, or cream of chicken soup.
How to Make Velveeta Broccoli Casserole
This delicious and easy recipe comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. Broccoli cheese casserole is so easy and delicious, I love to make broccoli casserole for family get togethers.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep Baking Dish and Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350℉ and grease a 9×13 baking dish. Steam the broccoli until it’s crisp tender.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and sauté the onions until tender. Add Velveeta cheese, milk, cheddar cheese soup, cooked broccoli, cooked rice and seasoning. Stir until cheese is melted.
- Bake the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to prepared 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cook time varies, but bake until hot and bubbly.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Cheesy Side Dish
Preparing steps ahead of time helps to save time and kitchen space when it comes to making this entire great side dish.
- Cook the Rice: Cook the white rice ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- Steam the Broccoli: Steam or blanch the broccoli florets to your desired tenderness. Store them in the refrigerator.
- Shred the Cheese: If using block Velveeta or other cheeses, shred them in advance.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: You can mix the cream soups, milk, and seasonings ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator.
- Assemble (Partially): You can assemble the rice, chopped broccoli, and sauce in the casserole dish, cover it, and refrigerate it. Add the Velveeta and topping just before baking.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Broccoli Rice Casserole using Velveeta
- Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge
- Reheating: Reheat broccoli cheese rice casserole in the microwave or in the oven.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy cheesy broccoli rice casserole with Grilled Warm Potato Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions and Reader Interactions About This Recipe
Absolutely. Any cooked or shredded chicken is a great addition.
Yes, but ensure it’s fully cooked before assembling the casserole.
Drain the broccoli well and don’t overcook it.
Yes. Try breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, crispy fried onions or chips.
Yes, but the texture and flavor will change. Cheddar or a blend of cheeses works well.
Expert Tips for Making Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole Recipe
- Season the Sauce: Season the sauce well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Layer Evenly: Ensure even layers of ingredients for balanced flavor in each serving.
- Generous Cheese: Use plenty of Velveeta or other cheeses for maximum cheesiness.
- Crunchy Topping: A crunchy topping adds a delightful contrast.
- Let It Rest: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld
- Don’t Overcook Broccoli: Keep it crisp-tender for the best texture.
- Serve this Recipe With: Serve with Baked Pork Chops and Apples, Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes or Oreo Cookie Balls.
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Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- Casserole Dish (9×13)
- Steamer basket or microwave-safe bowl
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Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Broccoli, fresh or frozen, chopped
- 3 Tbsp Butter
- ½ Cup Onion, chopped
- 4 Ounces Velveeta processed cheese product, cut into cubes
- 10.75 Ounces Condensed cheddar cheese soup, 1 can
- 1 Cup Milk
- 3 Cups White rice, cooked
- 1 Tsp All Purpose Seasoning Blend, see itisakeeper.com/10427/house-seasoning-blend/
- 1 Cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set it aside.
- Steam the broccoli in a steamer basket or microwave-safe bowl until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes, then drain any excess water and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the Velveeta, condensed cheddar cheese soup, and milk to the saucepan, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the steamed broccoli, cooked rice, and All Purpose Seasoning Blend to the saucepan and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese on top is melted and bubbling around the edges.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Drain the broccoli: Squeeze out excess water from steamed or thawed broccoli before mixing it in — this keeps the casserole from getting watery.
- Stir the sauce: Keep stirring the cheese sauce constantly over medium heat so it stays smooth and doesn’t stick to the pan.
- Add topping last: If making ahead, wait to add the shredded cheddar topping until just before the casserole goes into the oven.
- Store it right: Cool completely before covering and refrigerating — it keeps for up to 4 days and reheats well in the microwave or oven.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Make exactly like this recipe wonderful
it looks like it’s mentioned in step 4 quickly
Is there milk in this recipe? One part mentions adding milk but it’s not in the ingredient list or instructions.
I see it in there! Please reread.