Description
This Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a comforting, creamy dish featuring tender broccoli florets and fluffy white rice baked in a rich cheddar cheese sauce. It's a hearty side dish perfect for family dinners, combining simple ingredients to create a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 5 cups broccoli (cut into small florets)
Rice
- 3 cups white rice (cooked)
Dairy & Fats
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
- 3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 ¼ cup 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 oven: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Cook broccoli: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for 2 minutes. Immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Make roux: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux without browning.
- Add milk and seasoning: Gradually whisk in the milk along with mustard powder, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer while stirring constantly and cook for 4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Add cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the blanched broccoli and cooked white rice with the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot directly from the baking dish for a comforting side dish.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Adding cooked chicken or ham can turn this side dish into a main course.
- Make sure not to overcook the broccoli when blanching to keep texture and color.
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
