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–+ servings
broccoli and cheese casserole
5 from 3 votes

Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

This broccoli rice and cheese casserole is ready in less than an hour and is completely made from scratch with instant rice, broccoli, and a homemade cheese sauce.
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 45 minutes
Total 1 hour 5 minutes
Fat 23
Carbs 32
Protein 20
Yield 8

Ingredients

Cheese sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter olive oil works too
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour or white whole wheat flour
  • 3 cups 2% milk
  • 2.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Other

  • 8 cups broccoli florets chopped
  • 1.5 cups instant white rice instant brown rice will work, too!
  • 1/2 large white onion minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 cups broth we used beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Frank's hot sauce

Breadcrumb Topping

  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF and spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Next, add broccoli, rice, onion, garlic, broth, garlic powder, ground pepper, and hot sauce to the casserole dish and mix. Set aside. 
    A white baking dish filled with broccoli and rice.
  • Prepare the cheese sauce for the casserole by heating a medium sized saucepan over medium/high heat. 
  • Add butter. When butter is melted add flour to the saucepan and whisk together. When the butter and flour form a paste or crumble, slowly pour the milk into the saucepan, whisking consistently while pouring. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until the milk mixture begins to thicken (about 4-5 minutes). 
  • Remove from heat and add the cheese and salt to the saucepan. Whisk until the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. 
  • Carefully pour the cheese sauce over all of the ingredients in the casserole dish and toss to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
    A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
  • Cover the casserole dish with tin foil and bake at 375ºF for 30 minutes. While the casserole is baking, prepare the breadcrumb topping. Mix together parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs and set aside.
  • Remove from the oven, mix, and sprinkle on the breadcrumb topping. Place the casserole dish back in the oven uncovered for an additional 15 minutes at 375ºF. 
  • Finally, remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes and enjoy! 

Watch it

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g