There’s something irresistibly cozy about a warm, cheesy bake that brings together tender broccoli and fluffy rice. This Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe hits that spot perfectly — it's creamy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to pull off on a busy weeknight. I always find it a crowd-pleaser and a comforting side or even a hearty main.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a baked broccoli and cheese casserole. The casserole has a base layer made of fluffy, beige rice mixed with green broccoli pieces evenly spread throughout. On top of this is a bright layer of melted orange cheddar cheese, giving a slightly stringy texture. A wooden spoon is scooping a portion from the dish, highlighting the soft, moist interior with visible broccoli chunks and shredded cheese. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with soft, natural light enhancing the colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this casserole has saved dinner at my place. It’s reliable, comforting, and packed with so much flavor, it never feels like a boring side dish. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe you can customize to suit your taste or pantry.

Comfort food at its best: It’s creamy, cheesy, and satisfying without being complicated.
Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items, which means you can whip it up anytime.
Make-ahead friendly: Prep it in advance or enjoy leftovers that reheat beautifully.
Kid-approved and crowd-pleasing: It’s often requested at family dinners—kids and adults alike love it.

This image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a broccoli casserole. The casserole has a thick layer of yellow melted cheese on top, with green broccoli pieces visible underneath mixed in a creamy rice base. A wooden spoon lifts a scoop from the dish, showing the casserole's dense texture and layers of cheese, broccoli, and rice all mixed together. The casserole looks warm and cheesy with a mix of yellow, green, and beige colors. The dish rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe strikes a balance between fresh veggies, creamy cheese sauce, and hearty rice. Each ingredient plays a part in creating that luscious, comforting texture and flavor that defines the casserole.

Flat lay of fresh small florets of bright green broccoli, a mound of fluffy cooked white rice on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of pale yellow butter, a small white bowl of fine all purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with creamy milk, a tiny white bowl containing golden mustard powder, a tiny white bowl with rich red paprika powder, a tiny white bowl with light beige onion powder, a tiny white bowl of fine white garlic powder, a heap of shredded sharp orange cheddar cheese on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic dish holding a soft block of cream cheese, a small white bowl of fine white salt, and a tiny white bowl of ground black pepper, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Broccoli: Small florets cook quickly and add color, texture, and a healthy harmony to the dish.
White Rice: Cooked rice provides a neutral base that soaks up the cheese sauce perfectly.
Butter: Creates a rich base for the roux that thickens the sauce.
All-purpose Flour: Works with the butter to make the roux, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps.
Milk: Adds creaminess—the lower the fat content, the lighter the dish, but whole milk makes it decadently smooth.
Mustard Powder, Paprika, Onion & Garlic Powder: These seasonings layer in subtle warmth and depth, making the cheese sauce far from bland.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheddar is the star, delivering flavor and gooey texture. Dividing it lets you mix some in and sprinkle the rest on top for a golden crust.
Cream Cheese: Adds tang and creaminess, enhancing the texture without overpowering the cheddar.
Salt & Black Pepper: Simple but essential for balancing and highlighting flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Once you have the basics down, you can add your favorite twists to keep things interesting or to fit dietary needs.

Add proteins: Sometimes I stir in cooked chicken or crispy bacon bits for a fuller meal.
Swap cheeses: Using pepper jack or mozzarella adds a different cheese pull and flavor.
Vegetable variations: Try cauliflower instead of broccoli for a milder taste, or toss in some sautéed mushrooms.
Make it gluten-free: Substitute flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to keep it creamy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Broccoli Like a Pro

I start by bringing a pot of water to boil and blanching the broccoli florets for just two minutes. Don’t skip the cold water bath afterward—that stops the broccoli from cooking further and keeps that fresh green color and some crunch. It really makes a difference in the final texture.

Step 2: Build the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Butter and flour become the base of a roux that thickens your sauce. I stir constantly for two minutes to avoid clumping, then slowly add milk and spices to create a silky smooth mixture. Let it simmer for about 4 minutes to thicken nicely. After that, I take it off the heat and stir in cream cheese and about half the cheddar. It melts into a luscious, tangy, cheesy sauce that ties everything together.

Step 3: Combine and Bake to Golden Perfection

After tossing the broccoli and cooked rice in the cheese sauce, transfer everything to a greased baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top. Bake at 350°F for around 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. The crusty cheesy top is what I look forward to—it adds that irresistible texture contrast.

Top Tip

After making this casserole a dozen times, I've learned a few tricks that keep it creamy and perfectly melty every time. These tips have saved me from a dry casserole, which can happen if the rice is a little too dry or the sauce isn’t thickened just right.

Don’t overcook broccoli: Blanching briefly and shocking it in cold water locks in texture and color.
Whisk roux constantly: Prevents lumps and gives you that smooth, velvety cheese sauce.
Divide your cheese: Mix some cheese into the sauce and save the rest as a topping to get a golden, bubbly crust.
Use room-temp cream cheese: This helps it blend smoothly into the sauce instead of clumping.

How to Serve Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Broccoli Rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or chives on top before serving—it brightens the rich casserole and adds a bit of freshness. A little squeeze of lemon juice on the side is also fantastic if you want to cut through the creaminess.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with simple roasted chicken, grilled sausages, or even a crisp green salad. When I want a lighter meal, a side of garlic bread and a big leafy salad rounds it out perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with a crispy breadcrumb and Parmesan crust. It makes it feel a bit more special for dinner guests or holiday meals.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store them without the top cheese crust if possible, then reheat with additional cheese sprinkled on top to refresh that melted texture.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully. I like to freeze it before baking—cover with foil and a lid or plastic wrap. To bake, just thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual, adding about 10 extra minutes for even heating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F to keep that crispy top. If short on time, the microwave works fine—just cover it to avoid drying out, and add a few extra cheese shreds right before heating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen broccoli for this casserole?

Absolutely! Frozen broccoli works well here—just thaw and drain any excess water before mixing it into the casserole to prevent it from becoming watery.

What type of rice should I use?

I usually use white rice because it’s tender and neutral-flavored, allowing the cheese sauce to shine. You can also try brown rice for a nuttier taste, but it may change the cooking time and texture slightly.

Can this Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe be made vegan?

You can make this recipe vegan by swapping dairy milk for a plant-based alternative like oat or almond milk, and using vegan butter and cheese substitutes. Keep in mind that texture and flavor may vary, but it’s a satisfying option.

How do I prevent the casserole from being soggy?

Make sure not to overcook the broccoli, drain any excess moisture from cooked rice, and avoid adding too much liquid. Also, baking uncovered helps evaporate moisture and develop a nice crust on top.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe has become a staple not just because it’s comforting and delicious, but because it’s simple to make and adapt to whatever mood or ingredients you have on hand. I hope you find it as satisfying and versatile as I do—it’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug from the oven. Give it a try, and soon it might become a favorite in your own kitchen, too!