Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, flavor-filled side dish perfect for holidays on any weeknight dinner. This classic baked green rice casserole is filled with rice, broccoli, and cheese, and water chestnuts add that extra crunch. Cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is one of my favorite recipes to serve on Thanksgiving because it’s so easy, and you can make it ahead of time too!
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is one of those classic side dishes that everyone should be making regularly. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’s filled with broccoli (which makes it super healthy despite the cheese, right?).
This green rice casserole is perfect for easy dinners and even for holidays. It’s such a warm and comforting dish, so I especially love it in the fall and winter.
Casseroles of all kinds are my favorite, and this cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is at the top of the list. It’s a total crowd pleaser, it’s cheesy, ricey, and broccoli-y…what’s not to love?
Casseroles are great because they just mix all the best ingredients into one big dish, and everything tastes soooo good. The other thing I love about casseroles is how darn EASY they are. Like I said, everything in one dish, bake, eat, and done!
Tip!
This cheesy rice casserole is also a great make ahead recipe. You can easily prepare it, refrigerate it, then bake it when it’s time to eat. This works great for busy holidays when there are a million dishes to cook.
For Thanksgiving, I made this the night before, kept it in the fridge covered, and it was all ready to go on Thursday! So good for a gal like me that is still learning the art of timing!
This Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is the perfect side dish for chicken dinners, and it will be right at home on your Thanksgiving table too. Make this baked green rice casserole for an easy, cheesy meal!
Classic Green Rice Casserole for Thanksgiving
This creamy, cheesy, baked green rice casserole is a classic recipe that everyone should be eating during the holidays. You’ve got rice, broccoli, water chestnuts, cream of mushroom, and cheese, cheese, and more cheese.
It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors to create a delicious Thanksgiving side dish that really hits the spot.
Whether you’re cooking this delicious Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, it’s one of our very favorite go-to holiday recipes.
I especially love this warm cheesy broccoli and rice casserole on Thanksgiving because it complements all the other foods so perfectly. Mashed potatoes, turkey, creamed corn, fresh dinner rolls…YUM!
It’s such a comforting dish, and that’s the kind of thing I want to be eating over the holidays.
Best Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Of course this green rice casserole is just as good any time of year. This is the perfect side dish to eat along with whatever you cook, but I think it’s also tasty with chicken. If you switch things up and add chicken, you can make this side dish into a meal!
If making it as a side, here are some great recipes we love to serve alongside.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Casseroles are one of the easiest dishes to make, and this broccoli cheese rice casserole is no different. You can make it for dinner, for holidays, or even make it ahead of time if you need to.
Basically, you just need to cook the ingredients separately, combine them, then bake everything together with the cheese. Simple as that!
How to Make Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole:
- Cook the broccoli and the rice separately, according to package directions. You could also use fresh steamed broccoli and dried rice if you prefer, but it will push the cooking time up.
- Mix EVERYTHING together in a casserole/baking dish, and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
- When you’re ready to cook, bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes. You could microwave for 15-20 minutes instead if you’re short on time.
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
A delicious, cheesy, creamy green rice casserole filled with broccoli, ready to go in no time! You can make this ahead of time, save leftovers in the refrigerator, reheat it for meals later on the week, and even freeze it for future use!
Can you make this broccoli cheese rice casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This green rice casserole is so easy to make ahead of time, just another reason that it’s so great and convenient.
To make it ahead of time:
- Prepare everything according to the recipe card below.
- After combing everything in the casserole dish, cover it and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Then take it out, let it set to room temperature, and bake according to the instructions.
Can you freeze this broccoli rice casserole?
You can definitely freeze this broccoli cheese rice casserole if you want to save it for future use. Just be sure to store it properly to avoid freezer burn, and it should keep for up to a month.
When you’re ready to reheat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
All The Holiday Sides
60+ Holiday Side Dishes
See our Holiday Sides Guide to stay up to date on our favorite sides, tips, and tricks!
This Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole is the ultimate side dish for easy dinners and busy holidays! Eat it with your favorite chicken recipe, make it ahead of time when you’ve got busy week coming, or make it for Thanksgiving to help celebrate the holidays.
No matter when you eat this green rice casserole, you will absolutely love it!
More Holiday Casserole Recipes
If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday side dish, these casserole recipes are sure to please!
If you love this Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole, please be sure to let us know in the comments below. You can upload a photo or leave a star rating. Enjoy!
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole (Green Rice Casserole)
Ingredients
- 12.6 ounces bag frozen broccoli
- 1 1/2 c. minute rice
- 8 ounce can water chestnuts
- 10.5 ounce cream of mushroom soup click for recipe!
- 10.5 ounces milk (use soup can to measure)
- 3/4 lb. approx. 3 inches Velveeta, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook broccoli according to directions and drain.
- Cook rice in 1 cup water (by instruction)
- Add all ingredients together (except shredded cheese) and mix well. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Enjoy
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
Hi Becky, this looks like a super yummy dish and I want to make it this Thanksgiving. I was hoping to use home cooked basmati rice instead of minute rice. Would that be Ola? And if so, can I use the same measurements?
I haven’t tried it, but I imagine you’re good to go!
How many cups of fresh broccoli instead of frozen ?
The same amount as you would use frozen!
You only say 12.6 oz frozen broccoli, no mention of cups… so, how do you measure oz for fresh ? & There is no size of casserole dish stated, so what size would be used ?
I’ve been making this for years, but always add ham or chicken so that it’s a one-dish meal. You can also make it without the cream of mushroom soupd and it turns out great. I add a sauteed onion and some garlic to mine :) I use Cheese Whiz in mine always and then top with sharp cheddar and cover with foil to bake. That’s just because my kids love the ooey gooey cheese. I can feed them just about anything if there’s melty cheese covering it. Ha ha ha.
That sounds amazing!!!
what is your recipe for using cheese whiz
It’s in the fridge for baking tomorrow morning. Looks good already) thank you!
Yay!!! Happy thanksgiving :)
How many does that recipe serve? The picture shows it’s baked in I’m guessing a 13×9 baking dish. Is that so? Looks yum!!
yes, that is a 13×9 dish. i would say 10-12 people as a side dish. it is so good!!! let me know if you give it a try! happy thanksgiving :)
Can I use cheese whiz?
cheese whiz would probably work…but might be extra salty and i’m not sure how much you should use. but it would blend well and have a similar outcome. I think the velveeta might be easier…but i’m not sure. good luck and let me know how you like it!! thanks for stopping by :)
I make one like this and chopped chicken minus the water chestnuts and use shredded cheese my family love it
that sounds delicious!!! i’ll have to try that this weekend!
Cheez whiz works and I use cream of mushroom and cheese soup and milk. Here’s what I do minute rice, Cheez whiz, soups, broccoli florets salt and pepper. Mix all together and bake at 350 tool done. Must be soupy when you bake it or it will turn out dry.
Super easy, love it!