Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is a classic and comforting side dish that’s great with a weeknight meal or holiday buffet.
The Southern Hospitality of Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
I just have to share my family’s recipe for classic Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole that I’ve been eating since as long as I can remember. It’s one of those side dishes that my grandma always made for holidays and family gatherings and that my mom would make as an easy side dish for a weeknight dinner. It’s definitely a flavor memory for me!
Watch Me Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Join me in the kitchen as I make this classic and comforting side dish!
A Delicious Holiday Side Dish
This casserole is just downright delicious! Rice (you can use white rice, brown rice or long grain rice — it’s up to you!) and broccoli are combined with a creamy cheese sauce then covered in more cheese and crushed potato chips before being baked to casserole heaven.
I use processed cheese to make it extra creamy, but I’ve had it with cheddar cheese (or even sharp cheddar cheese) and it was just as delicious.
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight side dish or a great casserole to take to a potluck or holiday get-together, you can’t go wrong with this cheesy broccoli rice casserole.
And It’s Flexible!
Some folks cook their rice in chicken broth for extra flavor. You could even add chopped rotisserie chicken to it and call it a meal in itself. Protein? Check! Vegetables? Check! Whole grains? Check! Look at you go! Otherwise, we serve it alongside some meat (think pork chops or barebecue).
I mean, ask anyone from the South. Broccoli casserole goes great with turkey dinner on Thanksgiving!) and a big green salad.
This easy broccoli rice casserole recipe is one of those go-to casseroles that I know everyone will enjoy, especially my boys. They gobble it up like they’ve never been fed before and usually beg for seconds.
More Comfort Food Dishes You’ll Crave
- Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese: One of our favorite weeknight meals, this easy cheesy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes.
- The Best Beef Stew: A hearty, warm meal that’s made with fresh ingredients and whole lotta love.
- Great Grilled Cheese: A warm, melty grilled cheese with a crisp butter outside and a gooey melted center is the ultimate comfort food.
- Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Lasagna: Gather the family around the table for the comfort of a hot, delicious meal. Fresh herbs, creamy cheeses, and ground turkey make this pasta dish a labor of love that everyone will enjoy.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Plenty of butter, just the right amount of seasoning and a secret ingredient make these Creamy Mashed Potatoes the stuff Sunday dinner memories are made of.
What Do I Need to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole?
- Quick cooking white rice
- Unsalted butter
- Medium white onion
- Fresh broccoli
- Canned cream of chicken soup
- American cheese (such as Velveeta)
- Milk
- Crushed potato chips
- Casserole dish
How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook rice according to package directions.Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and broccoli florets and cook until onion is transparent.
- Add soup, 4 ounces cheese and milk. Stir until cheese is melted. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch casserole dish or baking dish.
- Shred or crumble remaining 4 ounces cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with the crushed potato chips.
- Bake for 30 minutes until cheese on top is melted and casserole is bubbly.
More Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love
Let’s get you ready for the big feast with these festive, delicious and easy Thanksgiving recipes everyone is sure to be thankful for!
How to Store Broccoli Rice Casserole
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
If freezing, be sure let it cool completely before storing. This storage container set is my absolute favorite for food storage because it has various sizes for storing different amounts in the fridge or freezer.
Holiday Hint
Making this broccoli rice casserole in advance?
I almost always prep our Thanksgiving sides 2-3 days in advance of holidays. I would recommend prepping to just before topping with potato chips, let cool for 30 minutes, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. When ready to bake, let set at room temp for 30 minutes, top with potato chips and then bake.
If you make this Easy Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole be sure to snap a picture and share it with me or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. 
I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 8
- Category: Casseroles
Description
Easy cheesy broccoli rice casserole is a classic and comforting side dish that’s great with a weeknight meal or holiday buffet.
Ingredients
- 1–1/2 cups quick cooking white rice (about 4 cups cooked)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 4 cups fresh broccoli, large stems removed and broken into small pieces
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces processed American cheese, divided (such as Velveeta)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup crushed potato chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook rice according to package directions.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and broccoli and cook until onion is transparent. Add soup, 4 ounces cheese and milk. Stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch casserole dish. Shred or crumble remaining 4 ounces cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with the crushed potato chips.
- Bake for 30 minutes until cheese on top is melted and casserole is bubbly.
Notes
You could use a 10 ounce package of chopped frozen broccoli in place of the fresh broccoli, if desired.
Can I make this with leftover long grain white rice? I have almost 4c cooked and I hate to just throw it out and it needs used up in the next day or two. I made too much for the dog when she was feeling sick. I’m not a huge rice eater, but I’ve always loved this kind of casserole.
Hi Ashley! Yes, this casserole would be a great use of really any leftover cooked rice. I hope you love it! Enjoy!
Thank you!! This was SO easy to make by the way and tastes delicious!! Even cutting up and cleaning the head of broccoli is super easy and quick.
The only thing I did different was add a little bit of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese and melted the whole 8 oz of Velveeta in the pan. Then I ever so lightly sprinkled a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese on the top. I left off the chips because I don’t eat them.
It tasted so good I’m making it a second time as a side dish for dinner tonight. I think it’s gonna become a regular for me.
Such nostalgia for me too because my mom made it growing up for us. It tastes just like her recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hi, Ashley! Aw, I love that it tasted like your mom’s. That’s the best. Thank you so much for sharing!
could I add chicken to this?
Hi, Katie! Absolutely! I’ve added shredded rotisserie chicken to it to make it a meal. Hope this helps! Enjoy!
What would be a good substitution for the cream of chicken soup if some guest are vegetarian
Hi, Felicia! You can always use cream of vegetable soup, or, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can make a roux out of butter, flour and milk. I hope this helps! Enjoy!
Any canned cream soup such as cream of mushroom or cream of celery can be used instead of the cream of chicken.
I made this trying to trick my kids into eating broccoli. I fooled 1 out of 3, so I’ll take that as a win anyways. The one that ate it had 4 servings of it. Thanks for such an amazing recipe! It’s delicious!
Hi, Michelle! YAY! that is totally a win. I am so glad you (and 1/3 kids) enjoyed it!
I have a question please. can I use a mix of mozzarella,cheddar and Gouda??
Hi, Janadel! I have never made it with that mix of cheeses, so I can’t say for sure. I have seen other recipes use mozzarella and cheddar. I say it’s worth a shot.
Can you use frozen broccoli?
Hi Debra! Yes! Just use frozen in place of fresh (don’t thaw). Hope this helps! Enjoy! ❤️
Can this broccoli rice casserole be made the day before, without being dried out? Would youbake it the day before and warm the next day or would you combine all ingredients and bake the next day? Thank you!
Hi, Mary! YES! I almost always prep ours 2-3 days in advance of holidays. I would recommend prepping to just before topping with potato chips, let cool for 30 minutes, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. When ready to bake, let set at room temp for 30 minutes, top with potato chips and then bake. I hope this helps! Enjoy!
I doubled it up and used velvetta and sharp cheddar. So good that I’m going freeze dry it for
my prepper pantry. Thanks alot 🌺
If I double this recipe will it be alright for a 9×13 dsh?
Hi Patsy! Yes, it fits great in a 9×13 dish when doubled. Enjoy!
Hi, are the chips needed? is there a substitute?
Hi Jonessa! No, you can definitely omit the chips. They’re just included for a delicious crunch and saltiness in every bite to compliment the other great flavors and textures. Enjoy!