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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morgan
morgan
February 23, 2023 12:06 pm

would i be able to use regular cheese or processed cheese in place of the velveeta? i’m wanting to make this today and don’t have any

Samantha Marceau
February 24, 2023 9:10 am
Reply to  morgan

It should work!

Kath B
Kath B
December 27, 2022 12:03 am

This recipe was so easy and delicious!5 stars

Susan Mosley
Susan Mosley
November 15, 2022 10:38 am

Do I leave broccoli frozen?

Samantha Marceau
November 15, 2022 10:50 am
Reply to  Susan Mosley

Yes, no need to defrost!

Corrie Bridgmon
Corrie Bridgmon
December 23, 2021 6:29 pm

Do you use the can of soup just like it is out of the can or do you mix water with it and then poured it?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 29, 2021 10:34 am

Straight from the can!

Susan
Susan
November 24, 2021 6:16 am

Do you cook the rice first???

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 24, 2021 10:30 am
Reply to  Susan

No!

Amanda
Amanda
November 23, 2021 7:21 pm

I’m not a fan of Velveeta is there another cheese that would taste great as well?!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 24, 2021 10:32 am
Reply to  Amanda

American cheese is the closest!

Jana
Jana
July 5, 2023 9:03 am
Reply to  Amanda

Canned cheddar cheese soup works great!4 stars

Teresa Terry
Teresa Terry
November 15, 2021 11:42 am

Is the rice cooked before putting it in the crock pot?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 18, 2021 1:06 pm
Reply to  Teresa Terry

No, the rice is not cooked!

Helen Betts
Helen Betts
December 19, 2020 5:31 pm

I made this again, this time in the slow cooker with the right kind of rice, and it turned out quite well. I did have to add more chicken broth towards the end as it was getting too dry and sticking to the insert (cooked it on high). Also used 1/2 cup white wine instead of 1/4 cup. We had leftovers, which my husband took to work for lunch the next day, and he said it was great.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 21, 2020 4:05 pm
Reply to  Helen Betts

Thanks for sharing, Helen!

Karla Harkins
Karla Harkins
November 25, 2020 11:03 am

What size crock pot?

SandraK
SandraK
November 24, 2020 3:54 pm

Can you use regular long grain rice or does it work better with the minute rice?5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 11, 2020 3:40 pm
Reply to  SandraK

Absolutely, as long as it is cooked fully!