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A well loved casserole of broccoli, rice and cheese, uses canned cheddar cheese soup and cream of mushroom for the sauce and is topped with your favorite shredded cheese. |
Broccoli and Rice Casserole with Cheese
Broccoli casseroles, whether alone with cheese, with chicken, or like here with rice and cheese, have been a favorite casserole for potlucks, church suppers, family gatherings and especially holidays for as long as I can remember. Many people like to include Cheez Whiz in their broccoli and rice casserole and certainly you can use that, or even our southern favorite Velveeta as well, but I like to use the canned cheddar cheese soup from Campbell's. It's a pantry staple in my house and is an easy addition. Feel free to sub either of those ingredients if you prefer, or simply increase the amount of shredded cheddar to 2 cups, dividing it as noted in the recipe.Back when I posted my variation of Trisha Yearwood's layered Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole, I mentioned the more common versions of broccoli and rice recipes out in the world - cooked rice, cooked broccoli, cream of something soup and a few seasonings, all mixed together, turned out into a baking dish, sprinkled with cheese or a crumb topping and baked. While it's pretty standard to everybody else's versions, here's the way I do my basic broccoli and rice casserole - with cheese too, of course!
I love garlic with broccoli, and of course y'all know I'm gonna include some of my favorite Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning, but if you don't adore either of those, feel free to omit them. Unless you are using the Healthy Request, lower sodium versions of Campbell's soups, you likely will not need any additional salt. As always, taste and adjust!
This casserole serves somewhere between 4 and 6 as a side dish, depending on appetites. If you're making this for the holidays, double and bake in an oblong 9 x 13 inch casserole or large baking dish. Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a gooey, creamy, cheesy, super yummy well loved casserole that has been a holiday favorite for years ... but remember, it's also a great side dish to grace your table any time of the year.
Here's how to make it.

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Recipe: Broccoli and Rice Casserole
©From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish
Prep time: 10 min |Cook time: 35 min | Yield: About 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Instructions
- 2 (10 ounce) packages of frozen, chopped broccoli
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1/2 cup of minced onion
- 1/4 cup of minced celery
- 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can of condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama), or to taste, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, optional
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar, Swiss cheese, Montery Jack cheese, or any combination, divided
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 9 inch baking dish. Place broccoli in a microwave safe bowl, add about 1 tablespoon of water, cover and microwave about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and roughly chop, if needed. Can also parboil or steam broccoli just until barely fork tender but with a bit of bite, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet and saute the onion and celery over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the two cans of soup and mix until well blended; add the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, rice and chopped broccoli. Stir gently until combined, taste and adjust seasonings. Turn out into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top and return to the oven uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
Cook's Notes: Serves between 4 and 6 as a side dish, depending on appetites, so double for the holidays or for potlucks. If you prefer, omit the cheddar cheese soup and increase grated cheddar to 2 cups, dividing as noted in the recipe. May substitute a large jar of Cheez Whiz or 1/2 pound cubed Velveeta for the shredded cheese. Substitute 4 cups of frozen broccoli florets, cooked and chopped, or about 1 large bunch of raw broccoli, trimmed, chopped and pre-cooked.
Optional toppings: Sliced, hard boiled eggs, French fried onions, Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter, panko or regular bread crumbs, or sliced almonds. Can be used in a layer under the cheese, or in place of the cheese.
Tip: To make this a main dish meal, stir in 2-3 cups of chopped, cooked chicken with the broccoli.
Source: http://deepsouthdish.com
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Broccoli and Cheese Casserole with Panko Topping
Tricia Yearwood's Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Spinach My Way and Spinach Madeline

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I used to make that brocolli rice casserole all...the...time! It's delicious. I think my recipe calls for Cheese Whiz. I love your version with the cajun twist to it. I do believe you may find it on my holiday table. Thanks for sending along this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThat takes me back, haven't had that stuff in years. Most likely at a potluck :)
ReplyDeleteThe holidays wouldn't be the same without broccoli-rice casserole!
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love broccoli and cheese casserole!
ReplyDeleteOk, this has to be my all-time favorite comfort food (after homemade chicken noodle soup)! I feel like I say that to almost everything you post, but I'm in love! I haven't tried it with cheddar cheese soup, thanks for the idea :)
ReplyDeleteI love this stuff Mary....I have a hard time resisting Broccoli and cheese dishes-I always want one more bite!
ReplyDeleteMmmm, broccoli and cheese!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is really delicious...I'm going to try it...with fresh broccoli....thank you...ciao from Italy
ReplyDeleteThat looks really good Mary. Even though the recipe doesn't call for massive amounts of cheese, the picture almost looks like cheese casserole with broccoli and rice
ReplyDelete:-).
I must try this version. This dish is one of my favorites. This looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis looks heavenly. I never knew you could put Chez Whiz in brocolli rice casserole, actually, to be honest, I didn't know that stuff was a food ingredient ;)
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for a way to feed my husband broccoli. This recipe might just do the trick.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read about broccoli and rice casserole I can only think of something my wife did way back when we were just friends and coworkers some 20 years ago. She made broccoli and rice casserole for a work function but mistook a bunch of celery for one stalk. Yes, an entire bunch of celery. Yes. You get the picture;) We still laugh about that one.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma used to make this every Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. So yummy! Haven't had it in forever!
ReplyDeleteOh these sound and looks so good. Must out it on my list for my visit to Dads.
ReplyDeleteI have given you an award and tasty link on my Kitchen site. Hope you will drop by to check it out.
I found you last week and have already tried 3 of your recipes. They are all so delish. Thanks for all the fun new things to try. Come stop by and get a few recipes from me sometime.
ReplyDeleteMary this looks so scrumptious! I am adding this to ones to try. I am helping a young woman who never learned to cook. We meet each Wednesday and cook together. She has been feeding her family frozen "junk" for a long time. She decides by Tuesday what she wants to make...calls me from the grocery store for a list of ingredients and we cook the next day! I am giving her some of my old tried and true recipes and will be using some of yours too! Thanks for being here....I really appreciate it! Looking forward to some sides for turkey day from you!
ReplyDeleteHey Lea Ann! Yep - alot of people use Cheez Whiz especially since Kraft discontinued the garlic cheese roll.
ReplyDeleteJulie, it's a classic for sure!
Oklahoma Granny, so true.
You're welcome Debby - enjoy.
Eva, Lynda & Sherri, same here!
DessertForTwo - I love it too. But I adore broccoli!
EliFla, enjoy!
Hey Larry! Yeah, it's an optical illusion LOL. Put some on, bake, then top off with the rest!
LOL Stephanie, I think you're thinking of the squirt stuff? CW is the jar version, sort of like Velveeta in a jar.
Serene, good stuff huh?
FloridaGirl, if it works for you let me know. I can't manage to get my husband to touch broccoli. More for me!
Oh Chris I think we all experienced something like that!
Shannon, I'd say that it's time to make some!
Thanks Auntie E! You're a sweetheart.
Wileyfamilyof5, welcome! I will stop by for a visit indeed!!
Debbie, that is so admirable, but why am I not surprised!! I have a bunch of Thanksgiving menu items up - there's a button in the upper left sidebar I just put up. http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2008/01/thanksgiving-recipes.html
Can anybody tell me if you cook the rice before adding it or does it cook in the over during the 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Cant wait to try it, it sounds delicious!
I have never used cooked rice.
DeleteSome recipes use uncooked and some cooked - this recipe is written for already cooked rice.
DeleteHi Amanda! You cook the rice first before assembling the casserole. Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDeleteI just made your version of this dish last night and OH MY GOODNESS!!! My daughter and I were in love at first taste! Usually my casseroles come out a lil dry, so I was a bit skeptical when I saw that there wasnt much cheese involved but the cream of mushroom and cheddar fixed that! My boyfriend always looks forward to my dishes and I cant't wait for him to try this today! I added this site to my favorites. A definite God Send! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it & hope that you BF did too - thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteMy mom always made her broccoli and rice casserole with Jalapeno Cheese Whiz. They discontinued that, too, and I have never found a decent replacement. Aaaargh! i will have to try adding Slap Ya Mama and see if it helps out.
ReplyDeleteI know! I sure wish they'd stop messing up our old recipes Melissa!! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary - Wow just wow!!!! My mom used to make broccoli cheese when I was a kid and it's been YEARS since I've had any that was good. I felt like this was a good one to try from the reviews and how I 'felt' about the ingredients and the write up. I made it for Thanksgiving and it was the very first dish to disappear. By request I am making it again now. THANK YOU SO MUCH. If you had a 'like' button I'd be a repeat clicker! :)
ReplyDeleteAnissa, that repeat clicker comment just gave me a chuckle - I'm smiling ear to ear, can you see? I'm so glad everybody enjoyed the casserole & thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a note - I appreciate that!!
ReplyDeleteOk, so this is an update from my post on November 11, my name is Tabitha BTW, and I just have to say that this recipe has become a MAJOR hit. My BF went home for Christmas (we are in Korea) and he told his mother, after eating her broccoli and rice casserole that mine has hers beat! He was like, "sorry mom, my girl got you on this one!" I love, love, love this recipe and I'm about to try your smoked paprika chicken tonight. Can't wait to taste it! Happy New Year! S/N sooo glad I found this wesite!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Tabitha & Happy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteDoes this dish freeze well? Am making some things to leave for my folks in their freezer to add variety to their meals.
ReplyDeleteSure does!
DeleteHello Mary
ReplyDeleteHave you ever thought about doing to some videos on you-tube to demonstrate some of your recipes step by step?
Hey Nene! I have. My kitchen is so tiny & plus, I've kinda enjoyed not having to do hair & makeup in my retirement & trust me, y'all don't wanna see me on video in my everyday look LOL!! Maybe one day... I have thought about just doing the videos showing food & not me so much. I don't know... something to think about!!!
DeleteOh Mary you are hilarious! This is a great idea, although I'm sure it would be additional hard work as if cooking is not :-) But you'd make a great video host and maybe you could just do some of the more traditional recipes for starters.
DeleteThis is my daughter's favorite dish of all time. My recipe also calls for Cheez Whiz but the soup would be so much easier to mix in. My daughter made this for a 4H cooking contest (rice category) & baked it in a hollowed out round Italian bread. This is a holiday staple at my house.
ReplyDeleteIt is a classic!
DeleteI like the idea of using cheese soup, since Cheez Whiz is rather expensive.
ReplyDeleteIt works! Hope you enjoy it.
DeleteIs minute rice ok?
ReplyDeleteThis recipe uses already cooked rice, so any rice that has been cooked will work. Just measure out 2 cups of it!
DeleteThis recipe is SUPER easy & SO tasty.I accidentally picked up Campbell's Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic,yummy.Used Mahatma Yellow Rice.I double batched the rice and broccoli only.I highly recommend it and Deep South Dish.Mary has it going on!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kat!
DeleteMary,thank you,thank you, thank you for making my life so much easier.Plus,for keeping traditional and favored Southern recipes known.I know I come here in search of those.I also hope it temps other to try something they have never tried before.My college roommate introduced me to Chicago Bagels.Totally different than those from the freezer isle ;-) Have a blessed day. :-) <3
ReplyDeleteYou too Kat - thanks so much!
DeleteAny special instructions for freezing this?
ReplyDeleteHi Adele! I'm not real big on make ahead & freeze casseroles - I prefer to make the elements a little ahead (like preparing the broccoli and making the rice) and then assemble and bake fresh. To freeze this one, I would prepare the casserole as above, but without cheese topping. Don't bake. Double wrap with heavy duty foil and freeze. When ready to bake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then remove and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Give it a stir before topping with cheese. Recover casserole and bake; finish as above, checking in the middle to see that it's heated through, before adding the last of the cheese. Hope that helps!
DeleteHi Mary,this dish looks scrumptious and the most appealing looking one I've seen online yet!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you think using both the can cheese and cheez whiz would dramatically change the taste? I have them in the pantry and was thinking to mix them in the dish.(I am such a cheese lover!) What do you think?
Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Toni! I haven't tried it, but if you omit the cream of mushroom soup it should work!
DeleteHi Mary, I am going to make your broccoli casserole to take to a potluck Saturday, and since I already have the Velveeta in the frig.,I was wondering if it would work to dice it up, and add it to the mixture, instead of the cheddar cheese, and just use 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup instead of the cheddar cheese? Louise from SC
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely!
DeleteMade the broccoli rice casserole Saturday for the potluck. I followed your recipe to the letter, and it was fantastic. My sister-in-law was eating it, and she was just bragging on how good it was, and that she didn't know who made it, I told her Mary Forman and me. Mine turned out just like your picture, and I doubled the recipe, and it was all gone. Thanks for sharing such a good recipe, will be using that one forever. Louise B.
ReplyDeleteAw, Louise you are too sweet!! I would have been perfectly fine with you taking full credit for that, but thanks so much. I'm so glad y'all enjoyed it!!
DeleteRecipe is delicious, thank you, it was my first time making it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
DeleteI know that most recipes call for using instant rice, but you say "rice." I am wondering if I can use regular cooked rice and will it not be mushy in the casserole. I have regular, but not instant and I don't want to buy it if the regular will be perfect. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFor this recipe I'm using leftover, already cooked, long-grain rice. Typically when I've used instant rice in a recipe, I use it raw, and let it cook in the dish, but I will specify that I'm using instant. I have a few quick skillet meals where I use it. I don't know whether it would make any difference using leftover, already cooked instant rice though to be honest!
Delete