Make-Ahead Broccoli and Rice Casserole

4.47 from 28 votes

Make-Ahead Broccoli and Rice Casserole

This creamy and cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious make ahead side dish for your holiday or anytime feast. It contains just a few ingredients, and is a snap to make. Add 2 cups of leftover ham and you have an outstanding after Easter dish that is company worthy!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 340kcal

Ingredients

16 ounce package frozen broccoli florets, about 5 cups (See Tip 1)
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup, undiluted
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese cut into cubes
1 ½ cups cooked long-grain rice (See Tip 2)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup plain dried breadcrumbs (See Tip 3)
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Bring a pan of water with two teaspoons of salt to a boil. Add broccoli florets. When the water returns to a boil, cook the broccoli for two minutes. Pour broccoli in a colander and rinse with cold water. Drain well; set aside (See Tip 4)
Heat cream of mushroom soup and Velveeta Cheese in a large saucepan until cheese melts. Add broccoli and rice; stir to combine. (See Tip 5)
Pour into a 2 ½ quart casserole dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Sprinkle shredded cheese and breadcrumbs on top. Dot with butter. (May be prepared in advance up to this point - cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
Bake at 350° F for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. (See Tip 6)
Yield: 6 servings. (See Tip 7)

Notes

Be sure that you use frozen broccoli florets as opposed to frozen broccoli pieces. The frozen broccoli pieces contain a lot of fibrous broccoli stalks, which tend to be tough and chewy.
You can use 1 cup of uncooked Minute Rice in place of the 1 ½ cups of cooked rice.
For an added crunch, use 24 crushed Ritz crackers in place of the breadcrumbs.
You do not want to overcook the broccoli. What you’re really doing when adding the broccoli to boiling water is thawing it. The reason for rinsing it in cold water is that you want to stop cooking at this point. You want the broccoli to be crisp-tender and bright green.
For a company-worthy meal, add 2 cups of cubed cooked ham, chicken, or turkey to the broccoli and rice mixture. Proceed as directed.
If you’ve made this casserole ahead of time and refrigerated it, allow for an additional 5 minutes of cooking.
Leftovers, if any, can be reheated in the microwave for several minutes or in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition