Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (2024)

Jump To Recipe Pin For Later

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (1)

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

This easy Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe is a holiday must-make side dish in my house! It’s a supremely cheesy broccoli casserole that, thanks to the Crockpot, frees up some oven space on busy days like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole

On a crazy busy holiday, it pays to have an easy Crockpot recipe like this one that calls for such simple ingredients!

  • Minute Rice: No need to cook it before it goes in the Crockpot.
  • Velveeta Cheese: American cheese is the closest substitute, but Velveeta really is the best.
  • Frozen Broccoli: No need to defrost!
  • Onion Flakes: You can use minced onion instead if preferred.
  • Water Chestnuts: They’ll need to be fully drained and diced into smaller pieces.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: Make it from scratch or use a store-bought can. Both options are just fine!
  • Chicken Broth: Beef broth also works well.
  • Milk: Whole milk helps to create the best thick consistency.
  • White Wine: Learn all about the best wines to cook with HERE!
  • Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper creates the best flavor.

Pro Tip: You can make a crushed cracker topping to add some extra texture into the mix too. All you need is melted butter and Ritz crackers.

Can I use fresh broccoli?

Absolutely! And you shouldn’t need to change the cook time, either. Just make sure the broccoli is tender and cooked before serving.

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (3)

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

What temperature do I set the Crockpot to?

It depends if you are wanting your dish ready 2 hours (high) or 4 hours (low)!

Can I add chicken to it?

You sure can! But if you do go that route, I recommend just making chicken broccoli cheese casserole.

Can I use brown rice instead?

Absolutely! Just do a quick taste test before serving to make sure it’s cooked all the way through.

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (5)

How to Store and Reheat

In an airtight container in the fridge, Crockpot broccoli and rice casserole will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until warmed all the way through.

How to Freeze

You can freeze this cheesy broccoli casserole for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s fully cooled to room temperature prior to storing in a freezer-safe container. I recommend letting it slowly thaw in the fridge prior to reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Happy Thanksgiving! Celebrate the holiday with more of the very best side dish recipes like sweet potato mash, dinner rolls and homemade stuffing.

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (6)

5-Star Review

“This recipe was so easy and delicious!” – Kath B.

Recipe

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole

4.46 from 170 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 4 hours hours

Total: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (7)

Serves6

Print Rate

Save Shop our store

Broccoli Rice Casserole is a holiday classic and this Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole is our go-to holiday side dish. Using a Crockpot is such an easy way to make cheesy broccoli and rice casserole. This Thanksgiving and Christmas favorite is easier than ever when made in a slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (8)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • cup Minute Rice
  • ¾ lb. Velveeta Cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
  • 14.4 ounces frozen broccoli chopped
  • 1 teaspoon onion flakes or ¼ cup onion minced
  • 1 can water chestnuts drained and diced, 8 oz.
  • 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup use canned or click for homemade recipe
  • 1 can unsalted chicken broth OR beef broth, 10½ oz.
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ cup white wine opt.
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • Optional topping:
  • 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers.
  • ¼ cup butter melted

Instructions

  • Turn slow cooker to desired temperature.

  • Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir thoroughly.

  • Cover and cook on HIGH 2 hours or LOW 4 hours.

  • If desired (and if your crock pot has removable crock), combine crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker/butter mixture over cooked casserole and place under oven broiler to brown. It can burn quickly, so watch closely.

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 331kcal (17%) Carbohydrates: 31g (10%) Protein: 16g (32%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Cholesterol: 48mg (16%) Sodium: 1010mg (44%) Potassium: 465mg (13%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 8g (9%) Vitamin A: 1270IU (25%) Vitamin C: 59mg (72%) Calcium: 409mg (41%) Iron: 1.9mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (9)

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (10)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

More Slow Cooker Side Dish Recipes We Love

  • Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
  • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
  • Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
  • Crockpot Glazed Carrots
  • Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (11)

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (12)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Subscribe

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

53 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (14)

Donna

Posted on 12/17/2023

How long on low or high in crockpot if I double the recipe?

Reply

Samantha Marceau

Posted on 12/18/2023

Reply to Donna

The time should be the same. We recommend using a larger crockpot to ensure the food cooks evenly!

Reply

« Previous1234

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's in broccoli rice casserole? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli.
  • 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup.
  • 2 cups instant rice.
  • ¾ cup chopped onion.
  • ¼ cup butter.
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar process cheese sauce.
  • salt to taste.
  • ground black pepper to taste.
Oct 13, 2022

Can I freeze a broccoli cheese casserole? ›

To freeze slices of cooked casserole: Wrap individual slices of broccoli cheddar casserole in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until completely heated through.

How long does broccoli casserole last in the fridge? ›

Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave.

How do you reheat broccoli rice cheese casserole? ›

If you've made this casserole ahead of time and refrigerated it, allow for an additional 5 minutes of cooking. Leftovers if any can be reheated in the microwave for several minutes on high, or in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

What is the main ingredient in a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

Does rice need to be cooked before adding to casserole? ›

Will uncooked rice cook in a casserole? Yes, uncooked rice will cook because it will be in all the liquid from the casserole. This cook time assures your rice will be done with the right texture at the end.

Is it better to use fresh or frozen broccoli for casserole? ›

Fresh vegetables contain less water

Frozen vegetables release moisture as they cook and when they're used in a casserole that moisture has nowhere to go but into your dish. If you want your casserole to have the best texture, it's best to use fresh vegetables.

Is it better to freeze casseroles cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

Can you freeze a casserole with cream cheese and sour cream in it? ›

Avoid freezing dairy-heavy casseroles

Yes, dairy-heavy casseroles are delicious, but cottage cheese, sour cream or creme fraiche won't hold up in the freezer. Instead, polish this kind of casserole off right away—or store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can I eat cooked broccoli after 5 days? ›

Both raw and cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. Blanched broccoli will last between 10 and 12 months in the freezer.

Can I eat cooked broccoli that was left out all night? ›

The short answer is no, it's not safe to eat cooked vegetables that have been left out overnight. Vegetables are perishable items and need to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. If they're left out at room temperature for longer than that, they can start to grow harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

How do you reheat a casserole in a slow cooker? ›

Information. Reheating leftovers in a slow cooker is not recommended. Cooked food should be reheated on the stove, in a microwave, or in a conventional oven until it reaches 165 °F. Then the hot food can be placed in a preheated slow cooker to keep it hot for serving—at least 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

Can you freeze broccoli rice casserole after cooking? ›

You can keep it in the casserole dish and cover it with foil or a lid. If you are going to freeze it, put the casserole into a large food storage container to keep it fresh. Even if you put your casserole in the fridge or freezer to preserve it, the dish will still taste amazing when reheated.

How do you keep rice casserole from drying out? ›

Add a ¼ cup of water or milk to the top before you put it in the oven to reheat. The added moisture will do wonders in preventing the it from drying out. The best way to is to cover it and put it into a cold oven. Covering the top will trap the steam in and keep it moist while it reheats.

What is broccoli cheese casserole made of? ›

Ingredients You Need For Broccoli Cheese Casserole:
  1. Cream of Chicken Soup. You can absolutely use cream of mushroom…or cream of anything!
  2. Mayonnaise. If you just can't do mayo you can use sour cream instead.
  3. Frozen (and thawed) broccoli. ...
  4. Seasonings. ...
  5. Egg. ...
  6. Cheddar Cheese. ...
  7. Butter. ...
  8. Crushed Crackers.
Mar 30, 2020

What are the 4 parts of a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

What is broccoli pasta made of? ›

Its ingredients, broccoli, garlic, and olive oil, sound simple, but when brought together with pasta and pasta water to form a creamy sauce, something magical happens. Even the pickiest of eaters love it!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6472

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.