Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

This make ahead broccoli rice casserole is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights, holidays, or meal prep. Assemble it up to three days ahead or freeze it for later, then bake when you're ready for an easy family dinner. This is one of those casserole recipes that will become your new go-to.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Ingredients For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole
• How to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Tips for Making Broccoli Casserole
• FAQs For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole
• What to Serve with Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Amazon Essentials
• More Easy Casserole Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Assemble it up to 3 days ahead
• Freezer friendly
• Great for holidays and potlucks
• Kid-friendly cheesy broccoli
• Uses frozen broccoli for convenience
• Perfect side dish or vegetarian main course

I like making this casserole the night before a holiday meal because it's one less thing to worry about on a busy cooking day. It also works well for weeknight dinners since all the prep is already finished. Once baked, the sauce stays creamy and the broccoli becomes tender without turning mushy.

Ingredients For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Broccoli florets: Frozen broccoli makes this recipe quick and easy, and there's no need to thaw it first. If you prefer fresh broccoli, steam it until just crisp-tender before adding it to the casserole.
• Cooked white rice: Leftover rice works perfectly in this recipe, making it a great way to use up extra rice from another meal.
• Butter: I use salted butter, but unsalted works just as well. If using unsalted butter, you may want to add a little extra salt to taste.
• Onion: A yellow or white onion adds the best flavor. Dice it into small pieces so it cooks evenly into the cheese sauce.
• All-purpose flour: This thickens the homemade cheese sauce so it's rich and creamy.
• Mustard powder: Just a small amount adds depth of flavor without making the casserole taste like mustard.
• Paprika: Adds a mild flavor and gives the sauce a little extra color.
• Garlic powder: An easy way to add savory flavor to the cheese sauce.
• Salt and black pepper: Season to your family's taste.
• Milk: Whole milk creates the creamiest sauce, but 2% milk also works well.
• Cream cheese: This is the secret to an extra creamy, rich casserole.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the casserole the best cheesy flavor. For the smoothest sauce, grate your own cheese if possible since it melts better than pre-shredded cheese.

You'll also need: A 9x13-inch baking dish, a large skillet, and a large mixing bowl for assembling the casserole.

How to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole

Preheat the oven and lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the onion until it's soft and translucent.

Stir in the flour and seasonings, then slowly whisk in the milk. Cook until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cream cheese and half of the cheddar until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, broccoli, and cheese sauce, stirring until everything is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.

Cover the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage. If frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking. If serving right away, bake according to the recipe card until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.

Your family will love this easy, cheesy recipe!

Tips for Making Broccoli Casserole

• Shred your own cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, giving the sauce a creamier texture.
• Don't overcook fresh broccoli: If you're using fresh broccoli instead of frozen, steam it until it's just crisp-tender. It will continue cooking in the oven, so overcooking it beforehand can make it too soft.
• Wait to add the cheese topping: If you're making the casserole ahead of time, cover and refrigerate it without the final layer of cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on just before baking for the best melted, golden topping.
• Let it rest before serving: Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes after baking. This gives the cheese sauce time to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve.

FAQs For Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole

What to Serve with Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe
• Slow Cooker Pork Roast
• Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Crockpot Honey Garlic Pot Roast

Amazon Essentials

If you make casseroles often, these kitchen tools are worth having on hand. You'll need a 9x13-inch baking dish, a large skillet or sauté pan for the cheese sauce, a whisk, a large mixing bowl, and a sturdy spatula for stirring. Here are a few of my favorite options.

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）

 

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