Family Favorite Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Rich & Cheesy Family Favorite Holiday Side Dish
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Recommended Products
Did you pin this recipe?
More Holiday Side Dish Recipes:

There’s a broccoli rice casserole that our family requests every year for the holidays. It’s super cheesy with cauliflower, broccoli, rice, and a crunchy cracker topping.

The recipe originally came from my friend’s mom. She makes it for every gathering they host, and we all rave about it every single time.

food, amazon, family favorite cheesy broccoli rice casserole

Cheesy rice casserole topped with crackers.

Rich & Cheesy Family Favorite Holiday Side Dish

Once I got the recipe from Shannon’s mom, my family quickly experienced the cheesy deliciousness of this broccoli rice casserole.

You can choose to use broccoli or buy the winter mix vegetables which is broccoli and cauliflower. I once tried the veggie mix that includes carrots, but it didn’t go over as well.

Broccoli and cheese casserole with cracker topping on a plate with a fork.

Since the broccoli cheese casserole is quite rich and creamy, I only make it for holidays. It’s one of the most popular holiday side dishes in our family, especially amongst the picky eater crowd.

There are no sneaky onions or other hidden horrors to us picky people. I typically make a gigantic batch and end up with leftovers for everyone.

The recipe here is halved to make it easier. If you have a large crowd, feel free to double the recipe.

Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to buy the ingredients around a holiday.

Twice in a row now my local grocery store ran out of Velveeta cheese a few days before Christmas! I had to run all over town to try to find it, so be warned.

Since this veggie casserole is prepared the day before, it’s one less thing to do the day of a holiday. It still requires 30 minutes in the oven, but at least the major preparation is done.

Vegetable casserole on a plate with a fork.

This veggie side dish is filling and delicious.

The Ritz Cracker topping adds flavor, texture, and makes it even more filling.

Velveeta, Ritz crackers, broccoli, and rice in all of the steps to make cheesy broccoli casserole.

Broccoli and rice casserole topped with crackers in a dish.

Yield: 8 people

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers

Broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers on top. This broccoli cheese casserole recipe is a family favorite. This amount makes one 9×13 pan. Feel free to double the recipe if you have larger gatherings.

Prep Time 30 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Cooling time 15 minutes Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

16 oz broccoli, 1 bag frozen broccoli, cooked
16 oz Velveeta, 1 block Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 stick butter, cut in half
1 roll Ritz Crackers, crushed
10.5 oz cream of broccoli
10.5 oz milk, use soup can
4 cups white rice, cooked

Instructions

Boil rice and set aside.
Boil broccoli (or mixed veggies) and drain well, set aside.
Use a large pot to mix ingredients, starting with the soup and milk. Add soup and 1 can of milk (using soup can).
Cut Velveeta cheese into chunks and add to soup mixture until melted. Add gradually so the cheese melts easier.
Add rice to soup mixture.
Melt 1/2 stick of butter and pour over broccoli.
Add broccoli to mixture and mix well.
Put into a pan – should fit into one 9 x 13 pan.
Crumble Ritz crackers and sprinkle over top.
Put into refrigerator overnight.