Broccoli-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli-Rice Casserole is a perfectly tasty side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or everyday dinner. It's classic creamy, cheesy comfort food at its best.

I'm a true lover of those little local cookbooks put together by church and local charity groups. I just can't get enough of them, and seem to constantly be buying more ... despite the fact there's no way on this Earth I need yet another cookbook. However, I just can't seem to help myself.

Some of my favorites?

Carolina Blessings from Children's Home Society of North Carolina tops the list, for sure. Along with You're Invited from the Junior League of Raleigh, NC and Seaboard to Sideboard from the Junior League of Wilmington, NC. I just adore the "homey" local recipes shared in these types of books.

This is a perfectly tasty side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or everyday dinner. It's classic creamy, cheesy comfort food at its best.

And in these types of little local cookbooks, you'd be hard-pressed not to find a recipe for a version of "homey" broccoli-rice casserole. It's a comfort food classic that sure makes its appearance in more than its fair share of cookbooks, church suppers, potlucks, and holiday dinners alike.

But I've always had just one complaint about most broccoli-rice casseroles they can tend to be on the bland side when it comes to flavor.

To quote our sweet 7-year-old Little Miss H., "Mommy, that's because rice steals flavor."

Very astute for a 7-year-old. And I think she's absolutely right.

In making this version of broccoli-rice casserole, I set out to amp up the flavor factor over many of the recipes I've tried. I made three changes to help increase flavor.

When mixed in a casserole, rice tends to "dull" the flavors of the other ingredients. I've always found the non-rice version of broccoli casserole to be more flavorful than rice versions.

So in making this version of broccoli-rice casserole, I set out to amp up the flavor factor over many of the recipes I've tried. I made three changes to help increase flavor:

1. Increased the ratio of broccoli - Most of the classic broccoli-rice casserole recipes I read called for a 10-ounce package of frozen broccoli for 3 cups of cooked rice. In my opinion, this was way too little broccoli for that much rice.

I increased the broccoli to a full 16-ounce package, and used broccoli florets instead of chopped broccoli. I think the florets deliver up more flavor, and create a more attractive look in the finished dish than chopped broccoli stalk pieces. I was much more pleased with this higher ratio of broccoli.

2. Upped the salt & pepper - Such a simple change can make a big impact on flavor. When you think about it, this casserole has a lot of rice that needs to get a little jolt of flavor added to it. I found a full teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper were just what was needed to amp up the flavor factor.

If you're hesitant to put that much, add what you think would be good for you and then taste a little of the mixture before putting it into the baking dish. Since there is no raw egg in the mixture, it's okay to taste it before it's baked. Then, just increase the salt and pepper a little at a time if you think it needs adjusting.

3. Added a touch of garlic powder - Just a small touch of garlic powder ... 1/4 teaspoon ... gave a good little boost of flavor, too.

With these three little changes, broccoli-rice casserole got just the little flavor boost I was looking for. No more too-bland rice for me.

So whether it's for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or an everyday dinner this Broccoli-Rice Casserole is a perfectly tasty side dish to serve up. It's truly classic creamy, cheesy comfort food at its best.

Check out these other vegetable casserole favorites:

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Side Dishes

Yield: 10-12 servings

Author: Tracey |