Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

Do you ever find yourself looking for the perfect comfort food recipe?Look no more! I’ve got a game-changer recipe for you – a Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole. This is one of those casserole recipes that will become your new go-to.

Whether you are looking for a recipe to help with the weeknight dinner rush or prepping for a big gathering, this casserole has got you covered.

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Jump to:

• Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Recipes Made With Broccoli
• Ingredients For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole
• How to Make Broccoli Rice Bake
• Tips for Making Broccoli Casserole
• How Do You Store Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe?
• Can I Use Fresh Broccoli Instead Of Frozen In This Recipe?
• Recipes to Make With Rice
• Amazon Essentials
• More Rice Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Broccoli Rice Casserole

This casserole is a total lifesaver during hectic weeknights when you barely have time to breathe, much less cook. You'll love it for several reasons. First, you can prepare it up to three days in advance or even freeze it for up to six months, making meal planning a breeze.

Also, it's packed with healthy broccoli, which lets you serve some veggies that your kids will actually eat. Sure, the broccoli is smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce, but that will make this dish more enticing for even the pickiest eaters.

Recipes Made With Broccoli

Broccoli is one of those ingredients that you love having on hand. It is super versatile and always ready to add some color and nutrition to any recipe. You can toss it in salads, stir-fries, and even casseroles like this one.

• Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

Ingredients For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Broccoli florets: Choose frozen for an easy shortcut. Does not need to be thawed before use.
• White rice: Cooked. You can use leftover rice.
• Butter: I like to use salted butter but you can substitute with unsalted butter if preferred.
• Onion: White or yellow onion.
• Flour: All-purpose flour for thickening the sauce.
• Mustard powder: Adds a subtle heat and complexity.
• Paprika: Provides color and a mild, sweet flavor.
• Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor to the recipe.
• Salt & Black pepper: Can use more or less depending on preference.
• Milk: I used whole milk, but you can use 2% reduced-fat milk if you want a lighter option.
• Cream cheese: Adds richness and creaminess to the dish.
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Some will be melted into the sauce, and some will be used as a topping.

How to Make Broccoli Rice Bake

Preheat your oven and prepare a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Cook until the onions are tender.

Then, mix in flour and seasonings, followed by a gradual addition of milk until the mixture thickens. Remove the skillet from the heat, and blend in cream cheese and half of the cheddar cheese until everything is melted and smooth.

Combine the cooked rice, broccoli, and cheese sauce in a separate large bowl. Transfer this mixture to your prepared 9x13 casserole dish.

Top it off with the remaining cheese, cover it, and refrigerate the casserole for a few days or freeze it for later use. Just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator before baking as directed. If you plan to eat this right away, bake according to directions.

Your family will love this easy, cheesy recipe!

Tips for Making Broccoli Casserole

Tip 1: If you have some extra time, shred your own cheddar cheese. It can make a noticeable difference in both the flavor and texture.

Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but it is often coated with additives to prevent clumping, which can interfere with the smoothness of your sauce. This can result in a grainy texture. Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly and produces a creamier sauce.

Tip 2: When this comes out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes to give the sauce a chance to thicken. This helps the sauce to cling to every bite.

Tip 3: If you want to switch things up, you can substitute cooked brown rice for white rice. This will add a nutty flavor and some extra fiber to the recipe.

How Do You Store Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe?

Once the dish has cooled down a bit after baking, cover it tightly with some aluminum foil or plastic wrap. You can also store leftovers in an airtight container. If you're not planning to eat it soon, place it in the freezer - it'll keep nicely for up to 3 months.

If you plan to eat this sooner, pop it in the fridge, where it'll stay good for three days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw in the refrigerator the day before, and then just reheat it in the oven or microwave until it's warm and bubbly.

Can I Use Fresh Broccoli Instead Of Frozen In This Recipe?

Yes, you can use fresh instead of frozen broccoli. Using fresh broccoli can even enhance the flavor and texture of your dish. To use fresh broccoli, wash and dry then chop it into bite-sized florets. You'll want to pre-cook the broccoli to achieve the perfect tenderness.

You can do this by steaming the florets for a few minutes. Now you can add the broccoli to the recipe.

Recipes to Make With Rice

Rice is a kitchen staple that can be used in a variety of recipes. Whether you are looking for a simple side dish or a satisfying main course, rice is the answer. Plus, with various types of rice, such as white, brown, jasmine, and wild, available, you can easily switch things up.

Here are some of my favorite ways to use rice:

• Crockpot Pinto Beans and Rice Recipe
• Potato Carrot and Rice Salad
• Cast Iron Skillet Fried Rice
• Easy Tuna Rice One Skillet Recipe

Amazon Essentials

To make this yummy recipe, you'll need a 9x13 casserole dish on hand. A large skillet or saute pan is perfect for making the cheese sauce. Other helpful tools are a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring, a whisk, and a large bowl.

Luckily, you can find all these must-have kitchen items on Amazon—super convenient, with tons of options to choose from.

KOOV Individual Lasagne Pan Deep, Rectangular 9x13 Baking Dish, Ceramic Baking Dish, Bakeware for Tapas, Roasting, Casserole Dish for Oven, (Haze Blue)Pyrex Sculpted Tinted (9x13) Glass Baking Dish with BPA-Free Lid, Oblong Bakeware Glass Pan For Casserole & Lasagna, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave and Pre-Heated Oven Safe, SmokeFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker/Saute Pan with Helper Handle -Aluminum, 6 Quart, BlueBoxedHome Nesting Plastic Mixing Bowl Set, 4 Piece Mixing Bowl Set with Pour Spouts, Size 1.7, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5qt, for Prepping, Mixing, Baking, Cooking(2023 New Version, Pink)Tabletops Gallery Hobnail Style 4 Piece Classic White Stoneware Nesting Mixing Bowl Set for Baking and CookingWalfos Silicone Spatula Set of 5 - (600°F) High Heat Resistant Kitchen Scraper Spatulas, One-Pieces Seamless Design, Perfect for Cooking Mixing & Baking - BPA Free and Dishwasher Safe（Pink）

 

More Rice Recipes

📖 Recipe