Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake (Printable)

Broccoli and rice baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a comforting, family-friendly dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Dairy & Eggs

05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
06 - 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids & Pantry

09 - 2 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)

→ Toppings

13 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons melted butter

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
03 - Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir continuously until the rice is coated and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
04 - Pour in the low-sodium broth, milk, salt, black pepper, and paprika if using. Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in fresh broccoli florets, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream until evenly combined.
06 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil, gently stir the casserole, then evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the surface. In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
08 - Bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden, the casserole is bubbly, and the rice is tender.
09 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one dish, so theres barely any cleanup and you can actually sit down when its done.
  • The rice soaks up all that cheesy, garlicky goodness while it bakes, so every bite tastes rich and comforting.
  • You can toss in leftover chicken or skip the meat entirely and it still feels like a real meal.
02 -
  • Dont skip covering the dish for the first bake or the rice will turn out crunchy and dry instead of tender.
  • If you stir it too much after uncovering, the cheese and panko sink in and you lose that gorgeous crispy top layer.
03 -
  • Use a deep skillet so you can build the whole base without it bubbling over, and it makes transferring to the baking dish way easier.
  • Let the casserole rest those five minutes after baking, it firms up just enough to scoop cleanly and the flavors settle in.
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