The Ultimate Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Rice Bake

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake 2

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

• ½ cups Long-grain White Rice (dry measurement, cooked)
• cups Fresh Broccoli Florets
• Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (for aromatics)
• ½ cup Yellow Onion, finely chopped
• cloves Garlic, minced
• Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (for roux)
• Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• cups Whole Milk
• cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
• teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• ¾ teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (or to taste)
• cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, finely grated
• Tablespoons Melted Butter (for topping)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Ensure rice is cooked according to package directions and set aside.
• Blanch or lightly steam the broccoli florets until tender-crisp. Immediately plunge them into ice water to stop cooking, then drain thoroughly.
• In a large skillet, melt 2 Tbsp of butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until softened (about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
• Make the Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 4 Tbsp of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
• Gradually whisk in the cold milk until the mixture is completely smooth. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5–7 minutes).
• Remove the thickened sauce from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Gradually stir in the grated Cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
• Gently fold the cooked rice, the sautéed onion/garlic mixture, and the blanched broccoli into the cheese sauce until everything is evenly coated.
• Pour the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish. In a small bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese with 2 Tbsp of melted butter until coated, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
• Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	1043 kcal
Protein	22.1 g
Fat	45.0 g
Carbs	71.2 g
Fiber	12.1 g
Sodium	1168 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	American

Ditching the Canned Soup: Unveiling a Superior Broccoli Rice Casserole

There’s a certain type of culinary nostalgia tied to baked casseroles—warm, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. However, many beloved classics, particularly the traditional Broccoli Rice Casserole , often relied on canned condensed soup that left the texture somewhat gummy. Forget those days! We are diving deep into creating the Best Broccoli Rice Casserole experience you’ve ever had, built entirely from scratch. This version is rich, deeply flavourful, and boasts a textural contrast that transforms it from a side dish into a main event. It’s the elevated comfort food you deserve.

Why This Comfort Classic Deserves a Spot on Your Table

This recipe, clocking in at an Easy difficulty level, takes about 50– 55 minutes total time to bring from counter to table, yielding 6 to 8 hearty servings. It sidesteps the shortcuts for superior flavour. By focusing on high-quality components and simple sauce construction, we achieve results that put canned versions to shame. This is more than just a side dish; it's one of those truly Yummy Casseroles that disappears quickly from the potluck table.

The Secret to Truly Velvety Cheese Sauce

The cornerstone of any superior baked dish is the sauce, and for this Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole , we skip the soup entirely in favour of a classic Mornay sauce. This French technique starts with a simple roux—equal parts butter and flour cooked together—which is the foundation for building a perfectly smooth, creamy texture when the milk is incorporated. This careful start prevents graininess and ensures that every spoonful delivers that luscious, melted cheese hug.

Elevating Textures: Goodbye Mush, Hello Crunch

Mushy broccoli is a cardinal sin in the casserole world. To combat this, we employ blanching—briefly boiling the fresh broccoli florets until they are just tender-crisp, then plunging them into ice water. This locks in their vibrant green colour and maintains a slight bite that holds up beautifully during the final bake.

On top of that,, the topping is crucial; we use Panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan and melted butter to achieve a golden, aggressively crunchy counterpoint to the creamy interior.

A Grown-Up Take on Nostalgic Flavor

While this dish is undeniably rooted in American tradition, we layer in sophisticated notes to make it a truly grown-up meal. The inclusion of a touch of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce doesn't make it taste like those ingredients; instead, they act as flavour amplifiers, adding a depth and tanginess that beautifully cuts through the richness of the sharp Cheddar cheese. If you’re looking for a recipe that can stand alone as a satisfying weeknight meal, perhaps even featuring Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken , this homemade base is ideal.

Sourcing Quality Components for Your Bake

Achieving perfection starts at the grocery store. While the list of ingredients is straightforward, attention to the type and quality of what you buy makes a significant difference in this Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole . We need fluffy rice, vibrant greens, and, crucially, cheese in block form.

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Assembling the Ultimate Cheesy Base

The structure relies on three main components: the rice and vegetable mix, the rich cheese sauce, and the crunchy topping. Preparing these separately ensures perfect results before they meet in the final casserole dish.

Precise Measurements for Fluffy Rice and Tender Greens

We call for 1 ½ cups of dry long-grain white rice, cooked according to package directions before assembly. Make sure the rice is cooled slightly before folding it into the hot sauce to prevent the sauce from breaking. For the greens, 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets are needed.

The key here is to ensure they are bite-sized for even distribution throughout the bake.

Selecting Sharp Cheddar vs. Mild Alternatives

For maximum flavour impact, always opt for Sharp or Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese—we use 2 cups grated. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in starches designed to prevent clumping in the bag, but these starches actively resist melting smoothly into your sauce, often resulting in a gritty texture.

Grating a block of quality Cheddar yourself is non-negotiable for achieving that smooth, velvety consistency in your Mornay.

The Must-Have Topping Ingredients for Golden Perfection

The topping is what provides that delightful audible crunch. We combine 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs (for their superior jagged texture) with ¼ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese and toss this mixture with 2 tablespoons of melted butter until everything is lightly coated. This combination browns beautifully and offers textural salvation.

The Sequential Guide to Assembling This Broccoli Rice Casserole

The process is broken down into three manageable phases that keep the cooking flow smooth and efficient. You'll need a 9x13 inch casserole dish ready for action.

Prepping the Veggies: Blanching vs. Steaming Broccoli Florets

Start by prepping your broccoli. Rather than steaming them fully, we gently blanch the 4 cups of florets in boiling water for about 3 minutes until they turn bright green and are just slightly yielding to a fork. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to halt the cooking process—this technique retains colour and crunch better than standard steaming alone. Drain thoroughly. Separately, lightly sauté ½ cup of finely chopped yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of butter until fragrant; remove these aromatics from the heat and set aside.

Crafting the Mornay: Building the Flavor Foundation

This is where we build the richness. Over medium heat in a separate saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook this roux gently for a full two minutes to cook off any raw flour taste. Next, slowly whisk in 2 cups of cold milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue heating and whisking constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the 2 cups of grated Sharp Cheddar until completely melted. Season generously with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and ½ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.

The Gentle Folding Technique: Combining Rice and Sauce

Once the cheese sauce is perfectly smooth, it's time to bring everything together. Gently fold the cooked rice, the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and the drained, blanched broccoli into the cheese sauce. Be methodical here; you want everything evenly coated without breaking the rice grains or crushing the broccoli.

Transfer this entire luscious mixture into your prepared casserole dish.

Baking Temperatures and Monitoring for Doneness

Sprinkle the Panko-Parmesan-butter topping evenly over the surface. Place the dish into a preheated oven set to 375° F ( 190° C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You are looking for the edges to be bubbling happily and the topping to have achieved a rich, golden-brown crispness. A brief 5–10 minute rest period post-oven allows the sauce to fully set, ensuring cleaner servings.

Pro-Tips for Next-Level Flavor and Storage

To elevate this dish further, consider using homemade chicken stock instead of water when cooking your rice; this subtly infuses flavour right into the base grain. If you often find yourself needing quick meal solutions, this is a fantastic candidate for make-ahead meals. You can assemble the entire Broccoli Rice Casserole —without the topping—refrigerate it overnight, and add the topping just before baking the next day.

Making Your Casserole Work for Any Meal

This versatility is one reason why this dish remains a staple. While wonderful with roasted meats, it transitions easily across meal schedules. For those dreaming of a lighter option, you can easily adapt this recipe.

Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Preparing Ahead of Time

For freezing, assemble the entire dish, topping included, in a freezer-safe casserole dish. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to three months. To bake from frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, perhaps adding 10– 15 minutes to the bake time if baking slightly chilled.

Flavor Twists: Incorporating Smoked Paprika or Dijon Mustard

If you want a subtle layer of complexity that moves beyond simple Cheddar comfort, incorporate ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika directly into your cheese sauce mixture. Alternatively, adding just a dash more Dijon or even a teaspoon of dry white wine when you add the milk can brighten the entire profile, making this a compelling candidate for Comfort Food Casseroles that feel sophisticated.

Nutritional Swaps for Lighter Versions

If you are looking to lighten the load, you can successfully substitute the whole milk with 2% milk, which will result in a slightly thinner but still delicious sauce. On top of that,, swapping half of the white rice for cooked quinoa or brown rice boosts the fibre content instantly. If you are focused on reducing dairy, replace half the Cheddar with Neufchâtel or cream cheese, which melts beautifully and can sometimes allow you to reduce the overall fat content. Whether you are looking for a simple weeknight bake or a crowd-pleasing potluck star, this homemade Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe delivers pure satisfaction every time.