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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.
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
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.
Ingredients
Celery and Onion Saute.
Celery and Onion Saute
Cheese Added.
Cheese Added
Broccoli Added.
Broccoli Added
Casserole Added to Baking Dish.
Casserole Added to Baking Dish
Plated.
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
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
https://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-rice-casserole/
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.
What a fun and hearty dinner dish for the whole family! I can’t have cheese but I know my friends and some family members would really enjoy this!
Sorry you cannot have cheese. I am sure you know and have tried recipes that use nuts to make a cheese or cream alternative.
This does sound like the ultimate comfort food, and definitely something my kids would love! My parents were never very adventurous with their food when we were growing up – they were always the steak and three veg kinda people. They have enjoyed trying new things I have introduced them to over the years though, and have even started incorporating some of the more different dishes into their meal rotations which is nice to see!
Donna, I 100% mirror your experience. How did we get so broad in our tastes?
Perfect idea to repurpose cold rice form the day before thanks for sharing =)
Got to use everything and not let things go to waste.
That is such a creamy casserole and a great one for vegetarians like me. I would add a bit of heat to this dish and we would be a happy camper for dinner.
I like your idea of adding a little heat to this recipe.
WoW, look at that gorgeous green-yellow color of the Brocolli Casserole and it looks so creamy too. I’d absolutely have this with a glass of wine 🙂
I will have a glass of wine with almost any dish. 🙂
You packed in everything I love here – broccoli (yes, love it!), rice and cheese!! This is certainly comfort food for me and my family!
Broccoli is probably my favorite vegetable too.
I love all things cheesy.. If I could afford it I’d be eating them by the block. Rice is an absolute favorite so there is win win for me. Love the color..
That is true for all of us. All things in moderation.
Broccoli and cheese is always a great comfort dish. Love these kind of casseroles. Glad you parents enjoyed and I can’t imagine anyone not loving this.
Add cheese to anything and I think you create a crowd pleaser.
You know….I would eat this all on it’s own. Love the flavour combo…and what a great side for so many meals. Perfect to take to a potluck too.
Totally good for a potluck!
This broccoli cheese rice looks amazing, I would love to try, I will replace chicken soup with veg soup.
Sadhna, absolutely change out the chicken soup with the vegetable soup. Next time I try this recipe, I will try and lighten it up a little and both cream soups are a lot.
Looks delicious thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning
Your welcome and thx for stopping by.
I made a recipe like this for Thanksgiving dinner and my family loved it. Only difference is I used a ton of fresh grated cheese, no processed cheese AND I add a few tablespoons of habanero salsa. Yes we LOVE spice and it was delicious!
I love how you did your recipe. I really don’t like to use processed cheese but I knew it would melt really good in this dish. Next time, I am following your lead.
I am in desperate need of comfort food & this would fit the bill perfectly! Looks amazing 🙂
When it gets cold, pull out the comfort food.
Broccoli cheese rice is one of my favorite side dishes. This looks delicious!!
Such good flavors. What’s not to like?
What a great comfort food dish and perfect for a cold winter night!
Thx Linda. It sure is.
This more mild dish makes a great side dish for a more dominant main meat/chicken dish. Your comments are spot on. You do have to cook for your guests tastes and allergies. Sometimes all of that is a challenge.
You so speak the truth Carol.
This casserole sounds amazing, Peter! I bet your parents loved it 🙂
I got all the leftovers! Go me!
This casserole looks great Peter! Rice, cheese, broccoli…what’s not to enjoy! 🙂
Lori, you are exactly right. Start with good ingredients and you have a chance for a great result.
This is one of my favorite dishes. My mom used to make something similar and it was one of the first things I was able to make on my own. When I do mine I toss in some cooked chicken and call it a day. I love that you used both chicken and mushroom soups!
I saw a lot of these recipes now with the chicken added. Maybe next time. The soups made this very rich. Might also try to lighten this up a little.
I love to cook, but my family is definitely not as adventurous as I am. Some of our guests are but others aren’t. So it was good to read this.
Your recipe is definitely something my kids would like. My roommate used to make something similar in college..it was her specialty. You don’t even want to know what went in it. 🙂 Great recipe, Peter…I have pinned it, so I can make it for my own family.
Thx Michelle. I am not sure I wanted to know everything that went in this dish. Next time, I will try to lighten up some.