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.

A crock pot full of granola with a wooden spoon, but replace "granola" with "velveeta" and "wooden spoon" with "broccoli rice casserole.

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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.

Two plates of Velveeta broccoli rice casserole on a wooden table.
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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.

A casserole filled with velveeta, broccoli, and rice cooked in a crock pot.

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.

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!

5-Star Review

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

Recipe Card

Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole

4.47 from 172 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Becky Hardin
A crock pot full of granola with a wooden spoon, but replace "granola" with "velveeta" and "wooden spoon" with "broccoli rice casserole.
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!
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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!

Video

Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 16gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 1010mgPotassium: 465mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1270IUVitamin C: 59mgCalcium: 409mgIron: 1.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

More Slow Cooker Side Dish Recipes We Love

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.

4.47 from 172 votes (165 ratings without comment)
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53 Comments
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Andrea Tournis-Vagenas
Andrea Tournis-Vagenas
June 19, 2018 3:41 pm

Can I substitute brown rice?

Emily
Emily
May 14, 2018 1:10 pm

Can you add chicken to it?

Leann Erhardt
Leann Erhardt
November 24, 2016 4:51 pm

Did anyone try to double this? How did it turn out?

Leann Erhardt
Leann Erhardt
November 24, 2016 4:46 pm

did anyone double the recipe? How did it turn out?

Laurel
Laurel
November 19, 2016 4:45 pm

Do you thaw broccoli first?

Laurel
Laurel
November 19, 2016 4:44 pm

Do you thaw the broccoli first? Or use frozen

Megan
Megan
November 18, 2016 5:42 pm

Have you ever tried to double the recipe in your crockpot? Do you think it would turn out ok if doubled?

Laura
Laura
November 19, 2016 1:02 pm
Reply to  Megan

I was wondering the same thing. I’d like to double it and take it to Thanksgiving.

Lisa
Lisa
November 21, 2019 8:55 am
Reply to  Megan

I double it often…just needs longer cook time

Shiela Baudendistel
Shiela Baudendistel
November 13, 2020 3:15 pm
Reply to  Lisa

How much longer do you cook it?

Betsy
Betsy
November 17, 2016 12:10 pm

Can you substitute regular shredded cheese in place of the velveta?

Cheryl
Cheryl
November 12, 2016 5:34 pm

Do you have to cook the rice first or just put it in dry?

Karlee
Karlee
November 11, 2016 1:12 pm

Looks good! I just have a question about the recipe, do you cook it high for 2 hours AND THEN low for 4, or is it one or the other?

Glenda Reynolds
Glenda Reynolds
November 12, 2016 3:49 pm
Reply to  Karlee

Why size crock pot do you use 4 or 6 qt

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