Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping

Name: Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked white rice (or 3 cups cooked rice); 4 cups broccoli florets (about 2 large stalks, trimmed); ⅓ cup grated onion (approx. ½ medium onion); 3 cups whole milk; 6 ounces Velveeta processed cheese (cubed); 1½ cups shredded cheese (Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Colby); ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ¼ teaspoon ground mustard; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons butter (melted); 1¼ cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 26 crackers or 2 Fresh stacks)

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Cheesy broccoli rice casserole is always a crowd favorite. But it's the buttery Ritz cracker topping that keeps everyone coming back for more!

side view of broccoli casserole on a plate.

Broccoli cheese rice casserole is a comfort food classic. It's cheesy and creamy and the addition of a healthy green vegetable is an added bonus. This dish is sure to win over the broccoli naysayers in your life!

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Why you will love this

This comforting side dish can be paired with everything from meatloaf to chicken.
You can assemble this ahead of time. Refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.
Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination - perfect for any occasion from casual weeknight meals to holiday dinners.
There's no condensed soup - only a deliciously creamy cheese sauce.
Add cooked chicken or ham for a complete one-dish meal.

Ingredients

Broccoli - I prefer fresh for the best texture, but frozen can also be used.
Cheese - Processed American cheese provides the cheesy creaminess that is wonderful in casseroles. Freshly grated cheese adds more flavor. Try Cheddar, Colby, Pepper Jack, or Monterey Jack.
White rice - Any long-grain rice, such as Jasmine or Basmati, can be used. This is also a great way to use up leftover rice.

Step-by-step instructions

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a casserole dish and set aside.
Cook the rice according to package directions. I cooked the rice in vegetable stock for added flavor.

While the rice cooks, prepare the broccoli and the cheese sauce. Note: If using frozen broccoli, skip the next 2 steps. Instead, thaw, drain, and pat the broccoli dry.

To blanch fresh broccoli, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Cook for 2 minutes. (Image 1)
Meanwhile, fill a bowl with ice water. Using a strainer, transfer the broccoli to the ice water to stop the cooking. This also locks in the bright green color. (Image 2) Drain well.

blanching broccoli and adding to ice water.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli, rice, and onion. Toss together. Set aside. (Image 3 and 4)

mixing broccoli, rice, and onion in a bowl.

In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat. Add the processed cheese in batches, whisking until melted. Add the shredded cheese in batches, whisking until melted and smooth.
Stir in the ground mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. (Image 5)
Pour the cheese sauce over the top and fold to evenly incorporate. (Image 6)

Note: The mixture will look soupy - almost as if there is too much liquid. This is fine because the sauce will thicken and be absorbed as the casserole bakes, resulting in a perfectly creamy consistency.

mixing cheese sauce and pouring over rice mixture.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter with crushed crackers. Spread over the top of the casserole. (Images 7 and 8)

Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes or until warm and bubbly. Let rest for 15 minutes. Serve.

Recipe tips

Cook the rice in chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. I prefer using low-sodium broth so I can control the amount of salt.
Blanch fresh broccoli before adding it to the casserole. This ensures it will have a tender bite. This dish is only baked long enough to heat through, so blanching ensures the broccoli will be perfectly tender.
Grate the onion to provide all of the onion flavor without its' sharp, raw bite.
Add rotisserie chicken or diced ham to turn this casserole into a main dish.
Don't skip the cracker topping. This is the best part! For extra crunch, double the cracker topping!

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

To reheat, bring the casserole to room temperature. Cover with foil and heat at 350 degrees until warmed through. For smaller portions, reheat in the microwave.

close up of spoonful of broccoli rice casserole.

Faq's

Can I make broccoli rice casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare according to the recipe, stopping before adding the cracker topping. Cool completely before covering the dish tightly and refrigerating.

When ready to serve, bring the dish to room temperature, add the cracker topping and bake.

How do I reheat broccoli rice casserole?

Bring the dish to room temperature, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

Smaller portions reheat well in the microwave. The amount of time needed will depend on the wattage of your microwave.

Can I freeze broccoli cheese rice casserole?

For optimal quality, I don't recommend freezing. Baking, freezing, and thawing will compromise the texture of the broccoli. This casserole reheats beautifully and will keep for up to 5 days if you are lucky enough to have leftovers.