Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
User Reviews
5
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Description
This casserole assembles cooked rice and thawed broccoli mixed into a cheddar cheese sauce thickened with flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese. The sauce incorporates sautéed onions and garlic with spices such as paprika, black pepper, mustard powder, and kosher salt for seasoned depth. The mixture is poured into a greased baking dish and topped with a crunchy coating made by pulsing Ritz crackers and combining them with melted butter.
Baking at 350°F melds the flavors and produces a creamy, tender interior with a crisp, buttery topping. The cheddar cheese offers sharpness and richness, while the broccoli provides a mild, fresh vegetable component. The cracker topping adds a pleasing contrast in texture.
This casserole fits well as a comfort side for family meals and feeds approximately eight people. It complements a variety of main dishes and can be prepared ahead by assembling and allowing the dish to come to room temperature before baking, which slightly extends baking time. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended for best melting and flavor.
Ingredients
- 25 Ritz crackers or your favorite buttery cracker
- 8 Tbsp (1/2 cup) butter divided, unsalted
- 1 medium yellow onion minced
- 3 - 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder dry
- 2 cups chicken broth reduced sodium
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 oz cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
- 4 cups broccoli approximately a 10-12 oz package, chopped, frozen, thawed
- 3 cups cheddar cheese divided, shredded
- 3 1/2 cups rice cooked
Instructions
Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2 quart baking dish. Set aside.
Make topping
- Add Ritz crackers to a food processor and pulse until pea-sized crumbs are formed. Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
Make cheese sauce
- Add 5 Tbsp of the butter to a skillet over MED heat. Once melted, add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
- Add flour and stir well to combine, then cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Add salt, paprika, black pepper, and dry mustard.
- Slowly, whisking as you pour, pour in the chicken broth. Do the same with the heavy cream.
- Let cook until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from the heat, then add the cubes of cream cheese, stirring until completely melted.
- Add approximately 2 cups of the cheese (about 1 cup at a time, stirring until melted after each cup), stirring well to combine.
Assemble the casserole
- Add cooked rice and broccoli to a large mixing bowl, then pour in the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Melt the remaining 3 Tbsp of butter pour in the bowl with the Ritz cracker crumbs from earlier. Stir well to combine.
- Sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole.
Bake
- Bake in preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly, the cheese is melted, and the edges are lightly golden.
Notes
- This casserole serves about eight as a side dish; adjust portion sizes as needed.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for optimal melting and flavor.
- If preparing ahead, let the casserole sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking and add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 656 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 656kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 26g | 130% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 767mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 396mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 6105IU | 122% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 390mg | 39% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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