I have written about this idea in the past but it bears repeating. When planning your menu, always develop your menu with your guests in mind. It took me a long time to figure this out. When I first started cooking, I always wanted to try new recipes and types of food I thought I would really like. Problem was that my guests, often, my parents, were not nearly as adventuresome with their palates as I am. When, I finally started making dinners that they would like, I kept getting the comment after the meal of “that is the best dinner you have made us.” This Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole had my father’s name all over it.
How many times do you think I had to hear this comment before the lesson sunk into my thick skull. Too many! When I finally got it, the whole experience was great, not just the dinner. You see, so many of us Food Bloggers, are ultimately cooking for others. Our enjoyment comes from having other people enjoy what we create. Lightbulb! Make things that your audience will like. OK, I think I am getting it. I love the planning stage as much as I do the cooking. I love letting my imagination work to come up with ideas. I love exploring the internet for inspiration and insight into ideas I am developing. Then, after the meal, the validation of a job well done is reinforcement that it was the initial planning phase that was the secret to the success of the meal.
As for this recipe, it was developed for a dinner I made for my parents. My parents really enjoy comfort food and do not like food that is too spicy. So when I think about my meal plan for them, I try to keep it simpler but still tasty. There are certain steps or ingredients we add to recipes that we know will be a winner. Adding 2 types of cheese and baking the cheese on top is sure to please almost every palate. The flavor of this dish is deepened by the saute of the celery and onions. The broccoli adds good texture and the rice holds it all together. This Broccoli Rice Cheese Bake is as homey as it gets.
Celery and Onion Saute.
Cheese Added.
Broccoli Added.
Casserole Added to Baking Dish.
Plated.
The Recipe
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 20 Ounces Chopped Frozen Broccoli Florets
- 3 Cups Instant Rice
- 10.75 Ounces Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 10.75 Ounces Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 1/4 Cups Water
- 6 Slices American Cheese
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 Stalks Celery, chopped
- 1 whole Large Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
- Cook broccoli and rice according to package directions.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and saute celery and onion until soft.Melt the American cheese into the celery and onions.Pour all the remaining ingredients into the skillet and heat through.Pour into a baking dish and top with the sharp cheddar cheese.Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until bubbly and lightly brown.Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Responses
comments – I answer every one.
I noticed a tub of sour cream in your picture of ingredients. It is not in the recipe. Was it supposed to be in the recipe? just curious…
Sorry about that. I don’t fully remember but I don’t think so. It is certainly not needed. There is enough richness in the recipe. It couldn’t hurt if you wanted to add it.
This looks delicious! You’re so thoughtful to consider what your guests like vs what you want to cook. I hope your dad loved it!
It was a big hit! Thx Kylee.
My son is not a big fan of broccoli but anything with cheese I can see smile in this face. This one looks rich and tasty I am definitely trying
Now you have an idea that will help get your son to eat broccoli.
Looks delicious filling broccoli rice I haven’t tried a combo of rice , cheese and broccoli but did soup with cheese and broccoli which I loved it . I am going to try this.
Your soup idea would be very similar in taste. This is a little richer though.
You are so right. Dinner party!! Great, let me see what I can dream up that is scrumptious and amazingly good. That’s me and I guess that’s you too. Your parents were in the generation that loved that tasty comfort food and this recipe is exactly what it is. I’m saving it to try on my family — they are adventuresome, but my folks weren’t.
Marisa, that seems to be a common refrain. I hope you do try it for your family.
This rice casserole looks absolutely amazing. Cheesy, comforting… perfect weekday family dinner. Love addition of broccoli. Yummy!
Comfort food for sure!
No joke, this was my favorite dish when I was a kid. I used to request it for my birthday! Love that you shared your version on here!
Amy that is too funny. Glad this brought back a nice childhood memory.