If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting side dish that’s both nutritious and delicious, look no further than this homemade Broccoli Rice Casserole. The perfect combination of rice, broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce that’ll have your family coming back for seconds.
What makes this broccoli casserole so good? It's the homemade cheese sauce! No condensed soup and no jars of cheese sauce, just a simple, yet delicious homemade cheese sauce! And it's really easy to make.
This Broccoli Rice Casserole is a staple during Thanksgiving. Along with pumpkin pie and cornbread dressing, this broccoli casserole is a must have menu option. Serve it at your next family gathering and watch it become a new family favorite!
Ingredients
- Butter - Plain unsalted butter or any neutral tasting oil will work.
- Onion - Yellow or white onion can be used.
- Garlic - Freshly minced garlic is needed but can be substituted with garlic powder if needed.
- Flour - Plain all-purpose flour is needed to make the roux.
- Chicken Stock - For the best flavor use chicken stock to make the cheese sauce. If you do not have chicken stock, you can substitute with water or milk.
- Milk - Whole or 2% milk is needed for the cheese sauce.
- Salt and Pepper
- Broccoli - For best results use fresh broccoli. Frozen can be substituted if needed.
- Cheddar Cheese
- White Rice
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How To Make Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ready in just one hour, this easy to make broccoli rice casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.
STEP 1
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onions and sauté until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
STEP 2
Now whisk in the flour to form the roux. Gradually add the chicken stock, whisking constantly to incorporate the roux thoroughly. Then, pour in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture thickens.
STEP 3
Stir in 1 ½ cups of the cheese until it's completely melted and blended into the sauce. Add in the broccoli salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Continue cooking for one minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cooked rice.
STEP 4
Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes to lightly brown the cheese on top, if desired. Enjoy!
Variations
Add Meat! Make this casserole a main dish be adding cooked chicken or ham to it.
Want some crunch? Sprinkle breadcrumbs or ritz crackers over the top of the casserole before baking it to add a little texture.
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📖 Recipe
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice cooked *See Notes
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup onion small diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups fresh broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x9 baking dish.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the onions and sauté until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Now whisk in the flour to make the roux. Gradually add the chicken stock, whisking constantly to incorporate the roux thoroughly. Then, pour in the milk and continue cooking until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in 1 ½ cups of the cheese until it's completely melted and blended into the sauce. Add in the broccoli, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Continue cooking for one minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cooked rice. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes to lightly brown the cheese on top, if desired. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
This was so easy to make and was hit for Thanksgiving!