Description
Comforting broccoli-rice casserole brings nostalgic Southern flavors to dinner tables with creamy cheese and tender vegetables. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a warm embrace that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (16 oz / 454 g) frozen broccoli florets
- 3 cups (720 ml) cooked rice
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded mild or medium cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (10 ¾ oz / 305 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preparation: Defrost broccoli in microwave, draining excess moisture completely. Chop florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Rice Mixture: Combine warm cooked rice with onions, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Enhance flavor profile with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a dash of paprika, creating a rich, creamy base.
- Cheese Integration: Fold shredded cheddar cheese into rice mixture, stirring until ingredients meld seamlessly, developing a velvety consistency.
- Vegetable Incorporation: Gently blend broccoli into cheesy rice, ensuring even distribution and maintaining vegetable integrity.
- Baking Preparation: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish generously. Spread mixture evenly, creating a smooth, uniform surface for optimal cooking.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over casserole, creating an appetizing golden-brown layer that promises crispy, melted perfection.
- Baking Process: Position dish in oven preheated to 350℉. Bake 35-40 minutes until surface becomes bubbly and cheese transforms into a golden, crisp crust.
Notes
- Defrost with Care: Microwave broccoli for exactly 5 minutes and drain completely to prevent excess moisture that could make the casserole soggy.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Shred cheese freshly for better melting and more intense flavor compared to pre-packaged shredded varieties.
- Season Strategically: Adjust seasonings gradually and taste the rice mixture before combining with broccoli to ensure balanced flavor profile.
- Baking Perfection: Check casserole at 30 minutes to prevent over-browning and ensure a creamy, not dry, final texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 303
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg