Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (Print)

Broccoli, rice, and cheddar create a comforting dish with a golden cracker topping—perfect for cozy dinners together.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped (approximately 1 medium head)
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced

→ Rice

03 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
04 - 2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Dairy & Cheese

05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing

→ Canned Goods

09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup

→ Seasonings

10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 sleeve)
14 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish using butter.
02 - In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add rice, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer for 15 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed.
03 - Steam or blanch chopped broccoli florets for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, blanched broccoli, diced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, condensed cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until homogenous.
05 - Spread the prepared mixture evenly into the greased baking dish.
06 - In a small bowl, blend crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until the crumbs are uniformly coated.
07 - Distribute cracker topping evenly over casserole. Bake for 30–35 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top.
08 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Satisfies comfort food cravings and pleases picky eaters every time
  • Relies mostly on everyday staples and just one pan for baking
  • Prep is simple enough for busy nights yet worthy of a celebration
  • Great for make-ahead and potlucks since it heats up beautifully
  • Freezer-friendly in individual portions or the whole tray
02 -
  • Naturally vegetarian with easy swaps for gluten free or lighter versions
  • Freezes well in individual serve portions for quick lunches or side dishes
  • Great for sneaking in extra vegetables if you dice them fine
  • Satisfies both kids and adults with just a handful of staple ingredients
03 -
  • Let rice cool slightly before mixing with cheese and sour cream to keep everything creamy not runny
  • For extra crunch double the cracker topping and add just before baking
  • Shred your own cheese to avoid anti caking agents that prevent perfect melting
  • If reheating leftovers always uncover so the topping gets crisp again

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