Go Back

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Creamy broccoli rice casserole baked in a delicious cheese sauce and topped with crunchy panko bread crumbs—comfort food perfection!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 2391.1 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 3-quart Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Microwave-Safe Bowl
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Oven
  • 1 Whisk or Spatula

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 10 ounce packages frozen chopped broccoli
  • 2 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 2 clove garlic minced
  • 1 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 8 ounces Muenster or Swiss cheese shredded
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups cooked long grain white rice
  • 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions
 

  • Gather ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Place broccoli and 2 tablespoons water in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring once. Drain. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  •  Stir in soups and milk and heat through.   Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Add cooked vegetable mixture to broccoli in the bowl.  Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Stir in shredded cheese, mustard, paprika, and pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Stir in rice until combined. spoon into prepared baking dish. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Combine panko with remaining 1 tablespoon  melted butter. Sprinkle on top Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, about 30 to 40 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Enjoy! Allrecipes/France C

Notes

To elevate this casserole, consider using fresh broccoli, blanched until crisp-tender, for better texture and vibrant color. For a richer, from-scratch sauce, replace condensed soups with a béchamel base, incorporating cheese, Dijon, and seasonings. When stirring in the rice, ensure it's cooled to prevent a mushy texture. Experiment with cheese; a sharp cheddar or Gruyere can add depth. For extra crunch, toast the panko breadcrumbs in a separate dry pan until golden brown before mixing with melted butter and sprinkling over the casserole. Adjust seasonings to taste, perhaps a pinch of nutmeg with the cheese for complexity.