Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Since the clocks rolled back, our dog has been getting us up an hour earlier each day. We love her dearly, but I’m going to have to teach her how to tell time. Anyway, I took advantage of that extra hour this weekend and rummaged through my recipe archives and came up with this “blast from the past” side dish casserole. This is definitely an “oldie but goodie.” I can’t remember exactly where I originally found it, most likely on the back of a box or can (where most of my older recipes came from). I can’t promise that this is going to make your kids fall in love with broccoli, but they’re less likely to protest at the dinner table with this recipe. This is so quick and easy, and can be put together right in the same casserole dish you bake it in; so, cleanup is a breeze! This is another one of those convenient, “I don’t have time to cook” recipes. Yes, this probably is the original Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole you remember from your childhood. (Ugh, my age is showing.)

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Chop celery (3 or 4 stalks should equal 3/4 cup, approximate is fine). It gives the casserole a little crunch.

Melt butter.

Ready? Here’s the laborious procedure. In a casserole dish (2-1/2 to 3 quart should suffice), combine all ingredients except cheese. Stir to combine.

Cover and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bubbling around edges. Stir in cheese. Return to oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Whew! That was time-consuming.

CHEESY BROCCOLI RICE CASSEROLE
Posted by: www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 small jar (8-ounces) Cheez Whiz
• 2 boxes (10-ounces each) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of celery soup        
• 1 cup Minute Rice (uncooked)
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 stick (8 Tablespoons) butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In 2-1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish, combine all ingredients, except cheese. Stir well to combine.
3. Cover and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bubbling around the edges.
4. Remove from oven. Stir in small jar of Cheez Whiz. Return to oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until
    cheese is fully melted.