Description
A comforting and creamy Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole that combines tender broccoli florets with a rich cheese sauce and fluffy white rice, baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make dish serves as a hearty side or a satisfying main course, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 5 cups broccoli (cut into small florets)
Grains
- 3 cups white rice (cooked)
Dairy and Fats
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
- 3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 ¼ cups milk
Dry Ingredients & Seasonings
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Parboil Broccoli: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add the broccoli florets, and boil them for two minutes. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then set aside.
- Make Roux: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux without browning.
- Add Milk and Seasonings: Gradually whisk in the milk along with mustard powder, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Continue to cook while stirring until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens, about 4 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheeses and Season: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese along with the softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and ground black pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked broccoli and rice with the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot directly from the baking dish for a comforting meal.
Notes
- This casserole comes together quickly in about 45 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight comfort dish.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Using sharp cheddar cheese enhances the flavor, but feel free to mix cheeses as preferred.
- Boiling the broccoli briefly and rinsing with cold water keeps it bright green and crisp in the casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 561 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 503 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
