This Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It’s an easy side dish that’s perfect for family dinners or holidays. With simple ingredients like broccoli, rice, and cheese, you can make this comforting dish in just 30 minutes!
Jump to RecipeIngredients Needed:
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 16 ounces whole milk
- 16 ounces American cheese
- 8 ounces broccoli
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 32 Ritz crackers
- 4 ounces butter
How To Make Broccoli Cheese Casserole?
- Preheat the oven: Set oven to 350°F.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large pot over medium-low heat, stir together the cream of chicken soup, milk, and American cheese until melted. Add the broccoli and cook for 8 minutes until soft.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the cooked rice evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the broccoli cheese mixture over the rice and top with shredded Colby cheese.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until fully coated. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly, then enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Use freshly cooked rice: Cold or leftover rice can make the casserole dry. For the best texture, use freshly cooked rice that is still warm.
- Melt cheese slowly: Keep the heat on medium-low when melting the American cheese. High heat can make the sauce grainy instead of smooth and creamy.
- Cut broccoli into small pieces: Large broccoli chunks won’t cook evenly. Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook through and blend well with the sauce.
- Mix crackers and butter well: Make sure the Ritz crackers are fully coated with melted butter. This helps them crisp up perfectly in the oven instead of turning soggy.
- Bake just until golden: Don’t overbake! The casserole only needs 10-15 minutes in the oven. Overbaking can dry out the cheese sauce and make the rice hard.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole cool down first. Then, put it in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Once the casserole is cool, wrap it well or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Reheat in a non-stick pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it looks dry, add a splash of milk to bring back the creaminess.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 617 kcal
- Total Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Cholesterol: 113mg
- Sodium: 1543mg
- Potassium: 334mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 21g
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
6
servingsPrep time
10
minutesCooking time
20
minutesCalories
617
kcalThis Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheese Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It’s an easy side dish that’s perfect for family dinners or holidays. With simple ingredients like broccoli, rice, and cheese, you can make this comforting dish in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
1 can cream of chicken soup
16 ounces whole milk
16 ounces American cheese
8 ounces broccoli
4 cups cooked rice
1 cup shredded Colby cheese
32 Ritz crackers
4 ounces butter
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Set oven to 350°F.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large pot over medium-low heat, stir together the cream of chicken soup, milk, and American cheese until melted. Add the broccoli and cook for 8 minutes until soft.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the cooked rice evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the broccoli cheese mixture over the rice and top with shredded Colby cheese.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until fully coated. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly, then enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly cooked rice: Cold or leftover rice can make the casserole dry. For the best texture, use freshly cooked rice that is still warm.
- Melt cheese slowly: Keep the heat on medium-low when melting the American cheese. High heat can make the sauce grainy instead of smooth and creamy.
- Cut broccoli into small pieces: Large broccoli chunks won’t cook evenly. Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook through and blend well with the sauce.
- Mix crackers and butter well: Make sure the Ritz crackers are fully coated with melted butter. This helps them crisp up perfectly in the oven instead of turning soggy.
- Bake just until golden: Don’t overbake! The casserole only needs 10-15 minutes in the oven. Overbaking can dry out the cheese sauce and make the rice hard.
