Cheesy Corn, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole 🌽🥦🍚

This hearty and comforting casserole is the ultimate one-pot meal, combining the wholesome goodness of corn, broccoli, and rice with a creamy cheese sauce. It's perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply a cozy dinner night at home! Plus, it's a great way to sneak in some veggies for the kids.

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 2 cups of cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup of frozen corn (or fresh if available)
• 2 cups of fresh or frozen broccoli florets
• 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup (or homemade version)
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika for a little kick

For the crumb topping

• 1 cup of crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, corn, broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated.

🥄 Feel free to use leftover rice to save time! If you want a bit more flavor, consider adding some cooked chicken or turkey to the mix.

3. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

4. In another small bowl, combine the crushed crackers with the melted butter and mix until well coated.

5. Evenly sprinkle the cracker topping over the casserole.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

⏲️ Keep an eye on the last few minutes to avoid over-browning the cracker topping. If it gets too dark, you can cover it loosely with foil.

7. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of dried parsley for a pop of color, if desired.

Variations

• Cheesy Spinach: Substitute half of the broccoli with fresh spinach for a nutritious twist.
• Spicy: Add a can of diced green chilies for some heat.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free crackers for the topping.
• Vegan: Swap the dairy cheese for a plant-based cheese alternative and use coconut milk instead of regular milk. For the soup, try a vegetable cream soup or a homemade vegan version.

This Cheesy Corn, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole is a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed as a side dish or as a satisfying main course. Dig in and enjoy the cheesy goodness! 🧀✨