Name: Lunch Lady Broccoli Cheese & Rice Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked white rice; 2½ lb frozen chopped broccoli, (thawed and drained); 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of mushroom soup; 1½ cups milk; 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes; ¾ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp pepper (or to taste); ¾ tsp salt (or to taste); ¾ tsp oregano; 1 Tbsp melted butter; 6 Tbsp Italian bread crumbs

Lunch Lady Broccoli Cheese & Rice Casserole Recipe – quick and easy side dish that is a childhood school cafeteria favorite. Broccoli, cheddar cheese, rice, cream of mushroom, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, butter, and bread crumbs. SO simple and super delicious. Ready to eat in 30 minutes. I am pretty sure my lunchroom never served something so yummy!

scooping broccoli rice casserole from baking dish with text overlay

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School Cafeteria Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

This Lunch Lady Broccoli Cheese & Rice casserole is a weeknight favorite at our house. I came across this recipe in my government school cafeteria cookbook and couldn’t resist giving it a try. Broccoli, cheese, rice, cream of mushroom soup, milk, onion, garlic, salt & pepper. SO simple and super delicious. I am pretty sure my lunchroom never served something so yummy!

baking dish of broccoli cheese rice casserole

How to Make Lunch Lady Broccoli Cheese & Rice Casserole

This casserole is very easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together cooked white rice, chopped broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Melt butter and combine with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes.

Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

You can use any type of cooked rice that you prefer. White rice, brown rice, basmati rice, instant rice, long grain rice.
The recipe calls for thawed frozen chopped broccoli. You can substitute fresh broccoli florets if you prefer.
You can use any flavor of cream of condensed soup. Cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup or cream of broccoli soup all work great.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-cream-of-chicken-soup/
You can use any cheese that you enjoy. I use cheddar cheese. This is also great with American cheese, Velveeta, Colby cheese, muenster cheese, or gouda.
I topped the casserole with bread crumbs. You can substitute panko bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers if you prefer. You can also omit the topping.
Can Broccoli Rice Casserole be made in advance? Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Can Broccoli Rice Casserole be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole and let it cool completely. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the freezer. When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

scooping broccoli rice casserole from baking dish

What to Serve with Broccoli Casserole

This side dish goes with everything! Pork chops, ham, turkey, chicken, steak, casseroles – anything! Feel free to add some cooked diced ham or cooked chicken to the broccoli mixture and turn this into an easy main dish! YUM! You must add this to your menu ASAP!

Here are a few of our favorite recipes to serve with this easy broccoli rice casserole:

Main Dish