If there’s one recipe that never fails to comfort me, it’s my Broccoli Rice Casserole. It’s one of those dishes that brings back a wave of nostalgia every time I make it. I remember my mom cooking this for us on chilly evenings, and now, I’m excited to share this heartwarming recipe with you. This casserole is a delightful combination of creamy rice, nutritious broccoli, and gooey cheese, all baked to perfection. The best part is, it’s incredibly easy to make, and I guarantee you that it’s going to be a hit at your dinner table. The cream of mushroom soup adds a unique depth of flavor, while the Cheez Whiz gives it that classic, comforting cheesy taste we all know and love. The margarine lends a rich, buttery flavor that ties everything together. Whether you’re cooking for a regular weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this Broccoli Rice Casserole is always a good idea.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen, chopped broccoli
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 c. Minute rice (uncooked)
- 1 (8 oz.) jar Cheez Whiz
- 1 stick (1/2 c.) margarine
- 1/2 c. chopped onion
Baking Instructions
- Cook
- broccoli 6 to 8 minutes on High
- or
- until
- done. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine soup, rice, cheese and margarine. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes
- or until cheese melts and can be blended easily. To cheese mixture,
- add
- onion and broccoli; stir thoroughly.
- Pour into an
- 8-inch dish (Pyrex). Cook
- on High for 10 to 12 minutes,
- rotating
- dish
- 1/4 turn after 5 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes,
- or
- cook this
- in oven at 350° for 45 minutes.
Calorie: 450
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Green Rice Delight: A Tale of Broccoli and Cheese
Prepping Up
There I was, standing in my kitchen, armed with a bag of frozen broccoli, a can of cream of mushroom soup, a jar of Cheez Whiz, a stick of margarine, half a cup of chopped onion, and 1 and a half cups of uncooked Minute rice. Now, you might think that’s an odd combination, but stick with me here. This isn’t your ordinary culinary experiment. This is the making of the famous Broccoli Rice Casserole, or as I like to call it, “The Green Rice Delight.”
The Broccoli Ballet
First thing’s first – the broccoli. I popped that 16 oz. package of frozen, chopped broccoli into the microwave, setting it to high. It was like a ballet of green in my microwave, a dance of the chlorophyll kind, if you will. After 6 to 8 minutes of twirling and pirouetting, my broccoli was ready to take a bow and rest a while.
The Cheese-Rice Symphony
While the broccoli was cooling down, basking in the glory of its performance, I turned my attention to the other ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, I brought together the cream of mushroom soup, rice, Cheez Whiz, and margarine. As I stirred, it was like watching a symphony of ingredients, each contributing its unique note to the melody. After 5 to 7 minutes of cooking, the cheese had melted, and the whole mixture blended easily. This was no longer a symphony – it had become an orchestra of flavors!
The Broccoli Encore
Then came the time for the broccoli to make its encore. Along with the chopped onion, I added the broccoli to the cheese-rice orchestra. The resulting mix was, honestly, a sight to behold. I poured this mixture into an 8-inch Pyrex dish, ready for its final act.
The Final Act
Into the microwave it went, set on High for 10 to 12 minutes. I rotated the dish a quarter turn after 5 minutes, because, well, everyone deserves a spin under the spotlight. After its time in the limelight, I let it stand for 5 minutes. Or if you’re more of an oven person (oven people unite!), you can cook it at 350° for 45 minutes.
The Verdict
The result was a mouthwatering Broccoli Rice Casserole that was knee-slappingly good. Like, seriously, I slapped my knee. My neighbors probably thought I was hosting a one-man comedy show in my kitchen. But that’s the beauty of cooking – it’s not just about the food, but the laughter, the stumbles, and the joy that comes with it.
So there you have it, folks. That’s the story of how I made “The Green Rice Delight,” a tale of broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, rice, and a stick of margarine. It’s a simple dish, but it’s got a personality of its own. And as with any good story, it’s not just about the ending, but the journey along the way. Happy cooking!
