Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe

I’ll be honest with you – when I first heard “broccoli and cheese rice casserole,” my brain immediately went to those fancy, complicated recipes that require seventeen steps and ingredients I can’t pronounce. But here’s the thing: this version is surprisingly simple, almost embarrassingly so. We’re talking about dumping everything into one bowl, giving it a good stir, and letting your oven do the heavy lifting while you tackle that pile of laundry you’ve been avoiding.

Why You’ll Love this Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole

This broccoli and cheese rice casserole hits all the comfort food notes without requiring a culinary degree or three hours in the kitchen.

I mean, what’s not to love about melted Cheese Whiz coating tender rice and bright green broccoli?

It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone at the dinner table happy. Kids can’t resist that gooey cheese factor, while adults appreciate how the celery and onions add subtle depth.

Plus, you’re basically throwing everything into one bowl, mixing it up, and letting the oven do the heavy lifting.

What Ingredients are in Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole?

This cozy broccoli and cheese rice casserole relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that you probably already have hanging around your kitchen. The real magic happens when these humble components come together to create something way more delicious than the sum of their parts.

The ingredient list is invigoratingly short and straightforward, which means less time shopping and more time enjoying that melty, cheesy goodness. No fancy specialty items or hard-to-pronounce ingredients here, just good old-fashioned comfort food components.

Ingredients:

• 20 ounces frozen broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 15 ounces Cheese Whiz
• 1 cup milk
• 3 cups Minute Rice
• 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

A Few Things to Keep in Mind About These Ingredients

Frozen broccoli is honestly your best friend here because it’s already chopped and ready to go. Fresh broccoli works too, but who’s time to chop all those little florets when dinner needs to happen now?

Cheese Whiz might raise some eyebrows from the fancy cheese crowd, but trust me on this one. It melts like a dream and creates that smooth, creamy texture that makes this casserole so irresistible. Regular shredded cheese just doesn’t give you the same silky results.

The Minute Rice is another time-saving hero in this recipe. Sure, you could use regular rice, but then you’d have to cook it separately first. The beauty of this dish is how everything comes together without a million extra steps.

Don’t skip the celery and onion sauté step, even though it might seem tempting to just throw everything raw into the mix. Those few minutes of cooking time really mellows out the sharpness and adds a subtle sweetness that balances all that cheese.

How to Make this Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole

Making this casserole is honestly so straightforward that you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about weeknight dinners. The whole process flows together like a well-choreographed dance, except way easier and with more cheese involved.

Start by cranking your oven to 350°F because nobody wants to wait around for preheating later when hunger strikes. While that’s warming up, get your 20 ounces of frozen broccoli cooking according to whatever the package tells you to do. Most frozen broccoli just needs a quick steam or microwave zap, then make sure to drain any excess liquid that’s hanging around. Soggy casserole is nobody’s friend.

Next up, grab that 1/2 cup of butter and melt it down in a decent-sized pan. Once it’s all melty and gorgeous, toss in your 1 cup of chopped celery and 1 cup of chopped onion. Let them sauté until they start getting soft and smell absolutely amazing, which usually takes about 5 minutes or so. You’re not looking for anything fancy here, just enough cooking to take the sharp edge off.

While those vegetables are doing their thing, you need to deal with that 15 ounces of Cheese Whiz. The recipe says to “soften” it, which basically means getting it to a consistency where it’ll actually mix into everything else without turning into stubborn orange clumps. You can microwave it in short bursts, stirring between each one, or just let it sit at room temperature if you’ve got the patience of a saint.

Now comes the fun part where everything gets combined into one glorious mess. In your largest mixing bowl, dump in those 3 cups of Minute Rice, the 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of milk, and both cans of cream of chicken soup. Give that a good stir until it looks somewhat uniform, then fold in your softened Cheese Whiz and all those beautiful sautéed vegetables.

Finally, gently mix in your cooked and drained broccoli. Don’t go crazy with the stirring at this point because nobody wants mushy broccoli bits floating around. Just fold everything together until it looks like it belongs in the same dish.

Transfer this whole beautiful creation to a large casserole dish and slide it into your preheated oven. Let it bake uncovered for a full hour at 350°F. I know an hour seems like forever when you’re hungry, but trust the process. The rice needs time to absorb all those flavors, and the top needs time to get that slightly golden, just-set look that makes casseroles so irresistible.

The hardest part might actually be waiting for it to cool down just enough so you don’t burn your tongue on that molten cheese. But honestly, even that’s worth the anticipation.

Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole Substitutions and Variations

While recipes give us a solid starting point, half the fun of cooking comes from making a dish your own, and this casserole practically begs for creative tweaks.

I’d swap frozen broccoli for fresh cauliflower or mixed vegetables when I’m feeling adventurous. Different cheese varieties work beautifully too—sharp cheddar, swiss, or even pepper jack for heat.

The rice offers flexibility. Brown rice adds nuttiness, while wild rice brings earthiness. Though you’ll need extra liquid and longer cooking time.

For protein lovers, I’d fold in rotisserie chicken or cooked bacon.

Mushroom lovers? Sautéed mushrooms blend seamlessly with the vegetables.

What to Serve with Cozy Broccoli & Cheese Rice Casserole

Since casseroles tend to be rich and creamy, I like pairing this broccoli and cheese beauty with lighter sides that cut through all that delicious heaviness.

A crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette works magic here. The acid brightens everything up, giving your taste buds a much-needed break from all that cheese.

Roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts add earthy balance, while their slight char contrasts beautifully with the casserole’s creamy texture.

For protein, I’d go with grilled chicken breast or baked fish. Keep the seasoning simple – maybe just lemon and herbs – since this dish already brings plenty of flavor to the table.

Final Thoughts

This casserole has become my go-to comfort food recipe because it delivers maximum cozy vibes with minimal fuss.

It’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like pure happiness while you’re baking it.

I love how forgiving this recipe is.

Forgot to thaw the broccoli? No problem. Can’t find Cheese Whiz? Regular cheese sauce works too.

The beauty lies in its simplicity and flexibility.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or prepping meals for the week, this casserole checks all the boxes.

Comfort food doesn’t get much better than this creamy, cheesy perfection.

Recipe Card

Introduction: This ultimate comfort food casserole combines tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and melted cheese in one irresistible dish. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, this creamy, satisfying meal bakes to golden perfection and fills your kitchen with incredible aromas.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Serves: 8

Ingredients:

• 20 ounces frozen broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 15 ounces Cheese Whiz
• 1 cup milk
• 3 cups Minute Rice
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook broccoli according to package directions and drain any excess liquid thoroughly.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet and sauté celery and onion until tender.
4. Soften Cheese Whiz according to package directions.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine rice, salt, milk, and cream of chicken soup.
6. Add the softened Cheese Whiz and sautéed vegetables to the rice mixture.
7. Fold in the cooked broccoli until evenly distributed.
8. Transfer mixture to a large greased casserole dish.
9. Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350°F until bubbly and lightly golden on top.

Notes:

• No need to thaw frozen broccoli beforehand – cook directly from frozen
• Regular cheese sauce or 2 cups shredded cheddar can substitute for Cheese Whiz
• Make ahead by assembling casserole, covering, and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking
• Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or covered in a 300°F oven
• Add cooked chicken or turkey to make this a complete one-dish meal
• For extra flavor, use chicken broth instead of water when cooking the rice

Nutritional Information:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Casserole Ahead of Time and Refrigerate Overnight?

Yes, I’d assemble this casserole completely, cover it tightly with foil, then refrigerate overnight. I’d add an extra 15-20 minutes to the baking time since it’ll be cold.

How Long Will Leftovers Stay Fresh in the Refrigerator?

I’d recommend eating your leftovers within three to four days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Make sure you’re keeping them in airtight containers to maintain freshness and food safety.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen for Later Use?

I’d freeze this casserole before or after baking. If unbaked, thaw overnight then bake as directed. If pre-baked, thaw and reheat at 350°F until heated through.

What Size Casserole Dish Works Best for This Recipe?

I’d recommend using a 9×13 inch casserole dish for this recipe. The large amount of ingredients including rice, broccoli, and soup needs adequate space to bake evenly without overflowing during the hour-long cooking time.

Can I Use Fresh Broccoli Instead of Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, I’d substitute fresh broccoli for frozen. I’ll chop two pounds of fresh broccoli florets, steam them until tender-crisp, then drain thoroughly before mixing into the casserole ingredients.