Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Isn’t it funny how there are just some recipes that shouldn’t be tampered with?

Every Thanksgiving, my family requests the same two things from me:  pecan pie and broccoli cheese casserole.  I can bring anything else I want to.  But I have to bring pecan pie and broccoli cheese casserole.  These are two dishes that I made a lot when I was still at home.

I suggested once that I make a brownie-bottomed pecan pie (how awesome does that sound?) and they freaked out!

“No!  We like regular pecan pie!”

“Why don’t you make that one to keep at home, but bring a regular one?”

That was fifteen years ago.  I haven’t suggested any changes since then.  I got on a no-processed-food kick a few years ago and changed the cheese I use in my broccoli cheese casserole.  It was okay.  The kids liked it.  But, to be honest, this recipe is better with the processed stuff.

Why mess with a good thing?

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

• 1 pound of frozen chopped broccoli
• 4 cups of Minute Rice (or 8 cups of cooked rice)
• 2 15-ounce jars of Cheese Whiz
• 2 10.5-ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup
• 2 10.5-ounce cans of cream of chicken soup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large saucepan, cover broccoli with water and add several teaspoons of salt.  Bring to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes – or until broccoli is fork-tender (That means a fork sticks in it easily with no resistance.).  Drain broccoli.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine rice with an equal amount of water.  Microwave on high for 10 minutes.

While rice is cooking, in a 9X13 baking dish, combine soups and Cheese Whiz until blended.  Stir in cooked broccoli.  When rice is done, add it to the mixture and stir until combined.

Bake for 1 hour.

Well Duh #1:  You can freeze this before baking.  Just cover tightly with foil before freezing.  It is best to let it thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

Well Duh #2:  If you want to serve this as a main dish rather than a side, just add 2 cups of cooked, cubed chicken before baking.

Isn’t that picture at the top pretty?  Grilled chicken breast, bacon cheddar devilled eggs, and broccoli cheese casserole.  Such a great meal.

Yeah.  That’s not what we had for dinner tonight.

We had this:

Yep.  That’s right.  Fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, and Smilies.  And don’t you just love my china pattern?

It was a rough day.  Don’t judge.

Just remember that time I was awesome and made this: