Make this easy, creamy broccoli rice casserole on the stovetop for a satisfying, low-effort weeknight dinner or comforting side dish. It delivers gooey cheese and tender broccoli in under 40 minutes.
Author:JessT
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cups cooked white rice (day-old works well)
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
Stir in the cooked rice, condensed soup, chicken broth, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted.
If using crackers, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top, then sprinkle with crushed crackers.
Cover the skillet again and let it sit off the heat for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt fully and the casserole to set slightly.
Serve immediately as a family friendly broccoli dinner or a cheesy vegetable rice side.
Notes
For a richer flavor, substitute the cream of chicken soup with homemade white sauce or use cream of mushroom soup.
If you prefer a baked casserole, transfer the mixture (without crackers) to a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and crackers, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until bubbly.
This recipe works well with cooked chicken added in step 4 for a main course.