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 Thanksgiving Side Dish
This casserole is just downright delicious! Rice (you can use white 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.
And It’s Flexible!
Some folks cook their rice in chicken broth for extra flavor. You could even add chopped 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 bbq. 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 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.
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. 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.
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!
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. 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 1x
- 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.
Yum, this is making me so hungry….I make one like this also….it is delicious….if someone hasn’t made this before I urge you to make it right now……you won’t be disappointed…….
★★★★★
I doubled the recipe and used white jasmine rice. Also put in a crockpot, added the chips on top a few minutes before serving.
Thanks for posting this was the one my mama use to make we always browned pork chops an placed in bottom of dish.
Mmmmmm I can’t wait to try this.
Any potato chips work? Which ones did you use?
Hi! Yes, any fried potato chips will work great! I use Kettle Brand most often. Enjoy!
Can I use shredded cheddar cheese or any others besides American or velveeta?
Hi Angela! Yes, just make sure it’s a good melting cheese. Enjoy!
MAEGAN!This recipe looks amazing! I’m so excited to try it.What would be something good to serve with this?
Hi Anna! We usually serve it alongside chicken (rotisserie, grilled or pan-seared), sausages or fish. And sometimes serve it with a simple salad and some bread as well. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
MAEGAN,bravo! What a great idea! Love this. I’m sure this is incredibly delicious!
Maegan, it’s awesome! I cannot wait to try this. I bet it makes the house smell divine and tastes incredible!
Megan, it looks so yummy! I love the step-by-step instructions, making it an easy recipe to follow!
Maegan, , this is really a great recipe. I will make this at the next chance i get.
Maegan, thanks for sharing! Saved my butt on a quick impulsive idea for a dinner side!
Maegan, these were fabulous! So fresh and yummy and we loved the colors of everything! Thank you so much 🙂
I often go to your site to read a new recipe, thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.
I am fond of healthy food. Rice and broccoli are two boots – a pair. Keto diet always favors. Beautifully presented. My wife will forward your link with the recipe. I will keep track of your masterpieces of food
Look yummy! One of my favorite Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole, nice to see your recipe, easy to follow, will cook this for family this weekend. Thanks you!
This dish lived at my place for several minutes) and all because we adore cream cheese. Incredible softness and taste, this is such a delicate dish, I and the whole family are delighted, thank you!
I made this brown rice dish because of my allergies. It turned out very tasty, thanks for the recipe!
I do not particularly like broccoli, but in your performance, it turned out very tasty. And considering that it is also useful, then +100500! Thank you for sharing.
This is one of my favorite dishes! I usually add chopped or shredded chicken and make it a meal!
Hi Sarah! So happy to hear you love it as much as we do. We add chicken sometimes too and it sure makes for a great meal. Continue to enjoy! 🙂
When my youngest requested a dish over and over it means, he liked it very much. And this one is one of the chosen ones. The first time I tried it was during our weekend gathering and he thought that he can still have it the next day. He likes the blend of rice, cheese and the potato chips.
★★★★★
I love broccoli. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Is there another type of soup that can be used to make a vegetarian version?
Hi Kathy! You can use cream of broccoli soup or cream of mushroom soup. Enjoy!
Made this to go with are Thanksgiving dinner love this recipe thanks for sharing
Love broccoli! Thanks for the recipe… and what do you know, it works during Christmas too!
★★★★
I followed the recipe exactly and it was so yummy! Everyone loved this. We will definitely be making this again soon!
★★★★★
We must be looking at different recipes. I didn’t see cream cheese in the ingredients.
Hi Mary! There is no cream cheese in this recipe.
Sounds really delicious and I look forward to making this dish. What kind of rice is the best for this dish?
Thanks Maegan!
Hi Beverly! I usually use a long-grain white rice like basmati or texmati. You could certainly use any cooked rice though as I have used brown rice and it turns out just as great. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
I don’t have fresh broccoli on hand but I do have frozen. Would that work also?
Hi Manicia! Yes, frozen broccoli would work great. Enjoy!
I was wondering can this be prepped the day before thanksgiving and baked day of
Hi Mary! Yes, absolutely! Prep it to the point of adding the cheese on top and then cover it and place it in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to bake it, remove it from the refrigerator and let it set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then add the crushed potato chips and bake according to instructions. Enjoy!
Love this stuff! We can eat the whole pan of it by ourselves!
★★★★★
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!
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 🌺
★★★★★