Fresh Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Without Soup
Sneak Preview: This easy Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Without Soup starts with a homemade mushroom and vegetable cream sauce. No canned soup (with too much salt) is needed.
Instead of canned soup, this recipe calls for a simple, do-it-yourself cream sauce. You control the salt and avoid the preservatives. Your reward is a fresher flavor customized to your needs and tastes.
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You may be familiar with versions of Broccoli-Rice Casserole that use cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup. Some call for Cheese Whiz, too. Yikes! Not my style–although I’m not opposed to keeping a few cans of soup in the pantry for emergencies.
Recipe tips for Broccoli Casserole without Soup:
1. If you are feeding reluctant broccoli eaters, chop the broccoli finely.
How large or small you chop the broccoli has a pronounced effect on the final product. Larger pieces will keep the broccoli more defined and not as soft. I like larger pieces for textural interest, as seen in the picture above.
You might have more luck in pleasing picky eaters or kids if you chop the broccoli finer. The broccoli bits will be softer (less crunchy) and not as well defined. See the picture below.
2. What to do if the sauce in the broccoli casserole seems too runny or too thick:
The sauce should be somewhat thin when you pour the broccoli-rice mixture into a baking dish. It will thicken as it bakes. If it seems thick enough to hold a shape before baking, stir in another 1/4 cup of milk.
Likewise, if the prepared casserole sits very long before baking, you might consider adding a 1/4 cup of half and half or milk. Rice is a sponge!!!
3. Any variety of rice will work.
Jasmine is my favorite. However, I frequently use long-grain, basmati, or even brown rice.
Whenever I make plain rice, I
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4. Evaporated milk or heavy cream + milk keeps the cream sauce from curdling.
I don’t recommend substituting fat-free or low-fat milk. If you want to avoid dairy, try using chicken broth and leaving the cheese out.
5. Don’t overcook the broccoli.
6. Using a microwave:
Besides cleaning and chopping the broccoli, the sauce is the most labor-intensive step. Use your microwave to make the sauce, and you’ll be amazed.
I make many sauces in my microwave–for example, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Condensed Cream of Celery Soup, and cream pie fillings. Consequently, I don’t have to worry about burning or sticking. See the microwave instructions in the notes of the recipe.
Regarding using a microwave oven: I know many chefs and restaurants are negative about them. Still, I think they are a modern miracle for the home cook when used correctly and carefully.
Consequently, I have two of them in my kitchen. Microwaves are one of my best kitchen secrets because they help make healthy eating convenient–a priority for me.
How to make a Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole Without Soup:
More recipes you might enjoy:
Chicken and Potato Chip Casserole Without Canned Soup
Kid-friendly way to transform leftover rotisserie chicken or Thanksgiving turkey into a creamy casserole with a crispy, cheesy, and chewy crust
Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup can substitute for the commercial soup sold in the red can. This allows you to customize for your own taste and dietary needs. Gluten-free.
Roasted Rosemary Chicken with "Instant" Gravy
Whole chicken roasted with rosemary, lemon and garlic accompanied by gravy quickly made in a blender
A Simple Pot Roast Recipe with Beef Bouillon
A simple and easy pot roast that's perfect for Sunday dinner.
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately to Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula
Fresh Broccoli Cheese and Rice Casserole Without Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets and stems, chopped - (stems should be finely chopped) 285 gr
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons butter - 28 gr
- ¼ cup chopped onions - 36 gr
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- 1 stalk celery - chopped
- ¾ cup minced mushrooms - 60 gr
- 1 tablespoon flour - 8 gr
- ½ teaspoon salt - 3 gr
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper - a pinch
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes - optional
- 1 12-ounce can regular evaporated milk - (or 3/4 cup heavy cream and 3/4 cup whole milk) 340 gr
- 1 ½ cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese - 170 gr
- 1 ¼ cup cooked rice - 250 gr
Instructions
- Steam or microwave (about 3 minutes on HIGH) chopped broccoli and stems until tender but still bright green. Squeeze lemon over broccoli.
- Melt butter in skillet. Add onions, garlic, celery, and mushrooms and saute until softened. Stir in flour and cook about one minute to take away the raw flour taste. Whisk in milk and continue whisking until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1-1/2 cup cheese and stir to melt.
- Combine broccoli, rice, and cheese sauce. Turn into 1 1/2 quart greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 350˚ F until bubbly (around 30 minutes).
Notes
- If not baking immediately, add 1/4 cup of milk (maybe more) to compensate for the moisture the rice absorbs while it sits.
- We like 1-2 tablespoons of chopped jalapeños added to the cream sauce.
- Steam or microwave (about 3 minutes on HIGH) chopped broccoli and stems until tender but still bright green. Squeeze lemon over broccoli.
- Add butter, onions, garlic, celery, and mushrooms to a 2-quart batter bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. Add flour to vegetables and stir. Whisk in milk and cook uncovered on HIGH for 6-7 minutes. Whisk after 4 minutes and once a minute after that to even out the cooking. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 1/2 cup cheese and stir to melt. The sauce will thicken more as it sits.
- Combine broccoli, rice, and cheese sauce, then pour the mixture into a 1-1/2 quart greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 350˚F until bubbly (around 30 minutes).
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.