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broccoli cheddar rice with cheese in a bowl
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Cheese and Broccoli Casserole with Rice

This Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food side dish that upstages everything else on the table. Tender broccoli and fluffy rice get folded into a rich creamy base of two soups and Cheez Whiz that coats every single bite with that signature silky smooth cheesy flavor you remember from childhood. It comes together in about ten minutes before it goes in the oven and it feeds a crowd beautifully. This is the side dish that gets scraped clean at every holiday dinner and requested on regular Tuesday nights all year long.
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. frozen broccoli cuts
  • 1/2 cup diced frozen onions
  • 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
  • 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 6 cups cooked Minute Rice
  • 1 16 oz. jar Cheez Whiz
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place the frozen broccoli cuts and diced frozen onions together in a large microwave safe bowl.
  • Microwave on high for 2 minutes then remove and stir.
  • Return to the microwave for another 2 minutes and stir again.
  • Continue microwaving in 2 minute intervals until the broccoli is fully thawed and tender when pierced with a fork. This usually takes 4 to 6 minutes total.
  • Remove the bowl from the microwave and let the broccoli cool for 2 minutes until it is cool enough to handle.
  • Use kitchen scissors to cut the broccoli pieces down into smaller chunks about the size of a dime. This ensures even distribution throughout the casserole and makes every bite the perfect size.
  • Prepare the Minute Rice according to package directions. For extra flavor cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a very large mixing bowl add the cooked Minute Rice.
  • Add the entire jar of Cheez Whiz to the bowl.
  • Pour in the can of cream of mushroom soup.
  • Pour in the can of cream of chicken soup.
  • Add the cup of milk.
  • Stir everything together until fully combined and the Cheez Whiz is evenly distributed throughout with no streaks remaining.
  • Add the cooked broccoli and onions to the bowl.
  • Fold the broccoli and onions gently into the rice mixture until evenly distributed.
  • Season generously with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  • Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed before baking.
  • Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer using a spatula.
  • Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven.
  • Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the casserole is hot throughout and bubbly at the edges.
  • Check the center of the casserole to make sure it is heated all the way through before removing from the oven.
  • Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Scoop into bowls or onto plates and serve hot.

Notes

Cut the broccoli down to dime sized pieces and do not skip this step. Large broccoli chunks are awkward to eat and do not mix evenly into the rice. Taking two extra minutes with kitchen scissors to cut everything down to a consistent small size makes the entire casserole easier to serve, easier to eat, and more evenly flavored in every single bite.
Use both soups and do not substitute one for the other. The combination of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken is what creates the depth of flavor that makes this casserole taste so good. Cream of mushroom adds an earthy savory base. Cream of chicken adds a lighter savory note that balances it perfectly. Using two cans of the same soup gives you a flatter one-dimensional result.
Do not swap the Cheez Whiz for shredded cheddar. This is the most common mistake people make with this recipe and it completely changes the texture. Shredded cheddar clumps and gets stringy instead of coating every grain of rice evenly. Cheez Whiz melts into the mixture in a way that no other cheese can replicate and creates that signature silky smooth cheesy coating that makes this casserole so incredibly satisfying. Velveeta melted with a splash of milk is the only acceptable substitute if you absolutely cannot find Cheez Whiz.
Cook your Minute Rice in chicken broth instead of water. This one small change adds a noticeable layer of savory flavor throughout the entire casserole without any extra effort or ingredients. Just swap the water for an equal amount of chicken broth when preparing the rice and you will taste the difference immediately.
Season the mixture before it goes into the oven. Taste the combined mixture after you stir everything together and before you pour it into the baking dish. Add salt and pepper at this stage and stir it in evenly. Once the casserole is baked it is much harder to season the interior evenly and you risk bland bites mixed with over seasoned ones.
Make it ahead of time for holiday dinners. Assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to bake add 10 minutes to the cook time to account for the cold start. This is a game changer for Thanksgiving and Christmas when oven space and prep time are both limited.
Add a Panko breadcrumb topping for extra texture. Mix one cup of Panko breadcrumbs with two tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the casserole before baking. It creates a golden crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the creamy interior and makes the casserole look incredibly impressive on a holiday table.
Stir in two cups of shredded rotisserie chicken to turn this into a complete main dish. Add the chicken with the broccoli in step 16 and fold it in along with everything else. It turns this side dish into a hearty one pan dinner that is filling enough to stand on its own without any other protein alongside it.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor actually improves overnight as everything melds together. When reheating stir in a small splash of milk if the casserole has thickened too much in the fridge. Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30 second intervals stirring between each one, or reheat larger portions covered with foil in the oven at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. This casserole also freezes well for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer safe containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.