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Home / Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe With Cheez Whiz

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe With Cheez Whiz

Broccoli cheese casserole with rice is a hearty side dish that's always served during the holidays. But it's not just for the holiday table, serve this creamy cheesy soul-warming side dish any night of the week!

broccoli rice casserole on black plate

Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Rice

My aunt makes a tasty broccoli rice casserole that we always look forward to every year at Christmas and Thanksgiving. But I wanted to make one that doesn't require Cheez Whiz or Velveeta.

So we created a rich cheese sauce that works perfectly for this side dish. You know, a bechamel sauce with real cheese. Easy peasy!

Ingredients Needed for Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

  • Fresh broccoli florets
  • Cooked rice (white rice) – This is one of those recipes that's great to use leftover rice.
  • Unsalted butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Onion
  • Whole milk
  • Garlic
  • Dry mustard
  • Cream cheese
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

fresh broccoli in a glass bowl with a plate on top as a lid

Cut fresh broccoli florets into 1-inch pieces. Place the florets in a large microwave-safe bowl and add 3 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Conversely, you can place the broccoli in boiling water and boil for 2 minutes and drain thoroughly.

If using frozen broccoli, cook according to package directions and drain. We highly recommend fresh vs frozen.

cheese sauce in a sauce pan

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute.

Whisk in the flour, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes.

While whisking constantly, gradually pour in the milk. Continue whisking until thick and bubbly. It should be the consistency of cream soup.

Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.

In the same large bowl stir the broccoli, 2 cups cooked rice, and cheese sauce together until completely combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

unbaked casserole topped with shredded cheddar cheese

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top evenly.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

broccoli rice casserole scooped on a spoon

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere
  • Baked Macaroni And Cheese
  • Easy Creamy Carrot Souffle
  • Decadent Whipped Potatoes Recipe
  • Southern Yellow Squash Casserole
  • Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Rice

A hearty, creamy, cheesy, soul-warming side dish for any night of the week! No processed cheese!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli, casserole, cheese, rice

Servings: 8

Calories: 326 kcal

Casserole

  • 6 cups Fresh broccoli florets cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups Cooked white rice

Cheese Sauce

  • 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup Onion diced
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Dry mustard
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper ground
  • 2 cups Whole milk
  • 3 tbsp Cream cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

  • Cut fresh broccoli florets into 1-inch pieces. Place the florets in a large microwave-safe bowl and add 3 tablespoons of water Cover and microwave for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute.

  • Whisk in the flour, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes.

  • While whisking constantly, gradually pour in the milk. Continue whisking until thick and bubbly. It should be the consistency of cream soup.

  • Remove from the heat add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.

  • Taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if desired.

  • In the same large bowl stir the broccoli, 2 cups cooked rice, and cheese sauce together until completely combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

  • Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top evenly.

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

  • Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Calories: 326 kcal | Carbohydrates: 23 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 20 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 60 mg | Sodium: 578 mg | Potassium: 374 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 1083 IU | Vitamin C: 62 mg | Calcium: 370 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe With Cheez Whiz

Source: https://www.dontsweattherecipe.com/broccoli-cheese-casserole-with-rice/