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Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe with Crispy Ritz Crust Easy and Perfect

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A comforting and easy cheesy broccoli rice casserole topped with a crispy buttery Ritz cracker crust, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (about 400 grams or 7 ounces)
  • 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 170 grams or 6 ounces)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 115 grams or 4 ounces)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (56 grams or 4 tablespoons), divided
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
  • 1 cup milk (240 ml or 1 cup), whole or lighter option
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (16 grams or 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon salt)
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. If using fresh broccoli, chop into bite-sized florets and steam or blanch until just tender, about 4–5 minutes. Drain and set aside. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess water thoroughly.
  3. Use about 2 cups of cooked white rice (leftover rice preferred).
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for about 1 minute to form a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of milk, stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the cooked rice, steamed broccoli, and cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  8. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  9. In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter until evenly coated.
  10. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the casserole.
  11. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use leftover rice for best texture to avoid sogginess. Crush Ritz crackers into medium-sized pieces for better crunch. If crust browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and crackers. Oven reheating is preferred to maintain crust crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy broccoli rice casserole, Ritz cracker crust, easy casserole, comfort food, quick dinner, family meal, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/cheesy-broccoli-rice-casserole-recipe-with-crispy-ritz-crust-easy-and-perfect/