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.
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.