This Pioneer Woman broccoli rice casserole combines rice, broccoli, and a generous amount of cheese to create a delightful one-dish supper. Here’s how to create the best broccoli rice casserole ever.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe:

• It’s the ideal side dish to go with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or turkey… Or on its alone as a quick and easy meal suggestion!
• In addition, this homemade rice casserole is topped with broken Ritz crackers, which gives each delicious bite a little bit of a different texture. It is recommended that you prepare two plates of the dish since everyone will want more!
• This dish may be thrown together in a matter of minutes before being placed in the oven to bake.
• Few and obvious components: to prepare this dish, you will need only a few different components. It’s a wonderful lunch that’s easy on the wallet and is sure to please everyone in the family.
• Make ahead: This dish works well in the freezer in addition to being great for meal prepping.

What Is A Broccoli Rice Casserole?

This easy casserole for broccoli rice is the perfect go-to meal after a hard day since it is simple and quick to make, the correct amount of cheese is used, and it is soothing. This rice bake is guaranteed to become a household favorite because of its heartiness and capacity to satisfy hunger.

What Kind Of Rice Should I Use For Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Rice from any of the brands labeled “Quick Cooking” can be utilized here. It is possible to make use of both regular white rice and brown rice. Because the proportion of liquids in this recipe is specific to quick rice, I would not recommend using any other type of rice in its place. Instead, we kindly ask that you make use of quick rice.

Do You Have To Cook Broccoli Before Putting It In A Casserole?

Before adding it to the casserole, you should give the broccoli a quick boil for around three to four minutes first. This will give the broccoli a brilliant green color and allow it to partially cook. After that, you may complete the cooking process for it in the oven as a component of the casserole.

What Ingredients To Make Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to put together this Broccoli Rice Casserole Pioneer Woman dish. Collect the following items needed for the recipe:

• Frozen Chopped Broccoli: Frozen Broccoli that has been chopped, thawed, and then drained. If you choose, you may also use broccoli that is still fresh.
• Instant Rice: Rice that requires only a few minutes of cooking time, such as instant rice, is acceptable. Both brown rice and traditional white rice can be used. Because this recipe calls for cooked rice, it is also an excellent way to put any leftover rice to good use.
• Butter: If you use butter that has not been salted, you might wish to season the cheese sauce with a little bit of salt before serving.
• Onion: roughly one small onion, chopped into small pieces.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: I used two cans of cream of chicken soup, each containing 10.75 ounces.
• Milk: 1 percent or 2 percent is absolutely good.
• American Cheese: Use one 16-ounce box of processed cheese like Velveeta or American Cheese and cut it into cubes.
• Grated Cheddar Cheese: in place of the grated cheddar cheese, you may also use shredded cheddar cheese, but I find that the grated cheddar cheese works best in this recipe.
• Ritz Crackers: I required one sleeve of crushed Ritz Crackers, which is equivalent to 35 individual crackers. Crushed potato chips are an additional tasty option.

How To Make Broccoli Rice Casserole Pioneer Woman?

1. Bring the temperature in the oven up to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Put the thawed broccoli on a counter or tray that has been lined with paper towels. 
3. Applying pressure to the broccoli will help remove as much moisture as is humanly possible. Set aside.
4. Prepare the rice by the instructions on the package.
5. While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet (with a depth of at least three inches) over medium heat. 
6. After adding the onions, continue to cook them for 5–7 minutes, or until they become soft and translucent.
7. Bring the temperature down to medium-low, then stir in the cubed processed cheese, cream of chicken soup, and milk. 
8. Stir the cheese until it is completely melted and has a smooth consistency. Take the pan off the heat.
9. Combine the broccoli and rice with the cheese in a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
10. After the pan has been prepared, pour the mixture inside and then sprinkle the top with grated cheddar and crushed crackers.
11. Bake the crackers for about 40 minutes, or until they have a golden color and the mixture has begun to bubble.

Recipe Tips 

• Before placing the casserole in the oven, cook it first in a big saucepan. This recipe yields enough food for 8 servings, so check the dimensions of your pot to ensure that it is adequate.
• This recipe can easily be doubled, but if you do so, you will need to bake it in a somewhat bigger dish.
• You could try including other types of vegetables. Along with the broccoli, include some carrots or frozen mixed vegetables in the dish.

Recipe Variation:

• For a version that is easier on your body, try making it using low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheddar cheese. You could also try switching out the instant rice for brown rice.
• Alternatives to crackers include saltines and simple potato chips, both of which have the potential to be successful.
• Add some leftover chopped chicken or turkey to the mix to make it into a lighter dinner by following these instructions.

How To Use Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole Leftover?

The following is a list of some of how you may repurpose the leftovers from the Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe from The Pioneer Woman:

• Quick Skillet Mexican Rice Casserole
• Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Pork Taco Rice Casserole
• Cheesy Zucchini and Rice Casserole
• Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole
• Pioneer Woman Chicken Rice Casserole
• Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole
• Campbells Chicken And Rice Casserole

Do You Have To Cook Rice Before Putting It In A Casserole?

Rice may be cooked to perfection in the oven as long as it is accompanied by liquid that has been brought to a boil and the casserole dish that is used to cook it is well-sealed before it is placed inside the oven. Rice does not require any sort of preliminary cooking before being served.

How Long To Cook Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Turn the temperature in the oven up to 375 degrees. Put the rice, butter, and salt in a baking dish that’s at least 2 quarts in size. While stirring, add the water that is boiling. Stir until the butter is melted. Cover your Broccoli Rice Casserole and bake it for around 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is soft and the water has been absorbed by the rice.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Popeyes Cajun Fries, Tomato Salad, and Creamy Cucumber Salad can be served with this Pioneer Woman broccoli rice casserole. Broccoli rice casserole can also be served with Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken Soup, Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs, or Head Cheese Sandwich

Can I Cook My Broccoli In My Instant Pot?

Yes, however, there are some challenges. You need to make sure that your electric pressure cooker is set to zero, and then you need to wait for it to reach its maximum pressure. The pressure should be manually released as soon as possible, after which the lid should be opened. It will turn out perfectly if you just remove the broccoli straight away. If you wait much longer, you will end up with mush.

Can Broccoli Rice Casserole Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Because it is so simple to put together in advance, this dish is one of my favorites to prepare for the holidays. Prepare the dish by the recipe’s instructions, then place it, unbaked and covered, in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. After allowing it to reach room temperature while the oven preheats, proceed with baking it according to the instructions.

How Long Does Leftover Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole Last In The Fridge?

Leftover Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole may be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days after being consumed if it is properly refrigerated. The first thing to do is wait until the casserole has completely cooled down before moving on to the next stage. This should be done after first allowing it to reach room temperature and then covering it in plastic wrap. Before placing the individual portions of broccoli rice in the refrigerator, you also have the choice to place them in airtight glass containers beforehand. This gives you the ability to maintain their freshness.

How To Freeze Leftover Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole?

This casserole recipe from The Pioneer Woman may be frozen for up to three to four months after it has been prepared. The method that will save you the most time and effort is to divide the casserole into individual portions, place each dish into a separate plastic freezer bag, and then write the date on each bag. It is possible to freeze the casserole in its entirety; however, doing so is not suggested because of the increased amount of time that will be required to thaw it after freezing.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Broccoli Rice Casserole?

In The Oven:

Reheat any leftover broccoli rice casserole by covering it with foil and placing it in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Before you serve the casserole, you need to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

In The Microwave:

If you want to reheat the casserole in the microwave, you should split it into individual portions and put them in the microwave on their own. Reheat each portion in the microwave for two minutes on medium power after placing it in the microwave.

In the Air Fryer: 

To reheat the broccoli and rice casserole using the leftovers, cover it with foil, and place it in the air fryer for 7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take off the foil and reheat it for another three minutes, or until it has reached the desired temperature. Because it is covered with foil, the broccoli rice casserole won’t become very dry.

FAQ Section

Broccoli Rice Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 220
• Total Fat 14g
• Saturated Fat 8g
• Cholesterol 40mg
• Sodium 640mg
• Potassium 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate 16g
• Dietary Fiber 2g
• Sugars 2g
• Protein 9g

Nutrition Facts Source: Source