If there’s one dish you can make a wide variety of, it is casserole.
From vegetables to meat, casseroles taste incredible no matter how you prepare them.
One awesome recipe you have to try is a broccoli rice casserole.
Casseroles are named after the special vessel, i.e., casserole dish or pan, that they’re cooked in.
You can find several casserole cuisines around the world.
It is of European origin but is most loved by Americans. A broccoli rice casserole is already a filling dish.
But it would not hurt to have a few sides to accompany it.
And that’s what we’re here to talk about today.
If you’re interested to find out what to serve with broccoli rice casserole, check out our top ten picks below.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Broccoli Rice Casserole?
A broccoli rice casserole has a lot going on. We get several flavors from the main ingredients.
This variant contains broccoli, onions, cheese, celery, and rice.
And the good news is casseroles pair well with several side dishes.
Add something savory or sweet, and the flavors work so well.
Plus, since it is rice-based, you can even implement meaty sides to go with it.
Just remember not to make the meat the star of the show.
We don’t want to end up overpowering the main course.
This delicious dish would taste stale unless you have some sides.
A couple of side dishes will make your meal worthy of the name.
Having them adds variety and brings everything together for a hearty meal.
What to Serve with Broccoli Rice Casserole? 10 BEST Side Dishes
1. Chicken and Mushroom Soup with Carrots
Thick and creamy chicken and mushroom soup with broccoli rice casserole? Yes, please.
It’s a comfort food fiesta with our first option here.
If you want savory goodness in a bowl, what better way than a chicken and mushroom soup? It is a perfect accompaniment to your rice casserole.
A healthy slurp of this soup with each bite of the casserole melts in your mouth.
Plus, you get that slight crunch from the broccoli and carrots.
The secret to this soup is that you use chicken breasts instead of thighs. It offers a more tender bite.
2. Southern-style Succotash
Including corn in your meal is always nice when you’re serving rice-based dishes.
A southern-style succotash is the answer.
With a southern-style succotash, we get all the various colors and textures.
The sweet corn, lima beans, red bell peppers, and various seasonings make it a perfect side to go with casseroles.
The fresh and nutty flavors blend well with the rice and broccoli.
You have a marriage of different textures and flavors going on with each bite.
3. Bacon-wrapped Shrimps
Bacon-wrapped shrimp is something that you might not have heard of.
But this makes an excellent side dish with your casserole.
First, check out the array of flavors: Seafood meets processed meat and cheesy goodness.
Doesn’t that sound tasty?
You add that missing meat protein with a side dish like bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Plus, you get a perfect balance if you serve it in small amounts.
The compatibility of cheesy rice and greens with meats is nothing new.
4. Wonton Soup with Sesame Chili Oil
Combining cuisines always work well.
Add some oriental vibes to your meal with a bowl of sesame wonton soup.
With this wonton soup, there is no shortage of flavors.
You get everything from fresh to smoky essences.
Let us also not forget how healthy wonton soups are.
And who can forget that slightly spicy nuttiness from the sesame chili oil? With each bite of the casserole, slurp down on this wonton soup.
You’ll understand what we are talking about.
5. Cheesy Corn Fritters
If you have plenty of corn and want to make a special yet easy side dish, this is it.
Cheesy corn fritters are the answer.
These fried cakes combine your two favorite flavors, i.e., cheese and corn.
This, together with a generous serving of broccoli rice casserole, makes it even better.
You have the crunchy exterior and soft cheesy goodness from the corn fritters.
The fluffy rice casserole with broccoli bits comes next, and you get everything you could possibly want your meal to be.
6. Sautéed Zucchini with Rosemary and Thyme
If you want milder flavors, sautéed zucchini is the way to go.
Zucchini is another excellent side dish that goes well with anything, including casseroles.
This version combines fresh, herby hints with the creamy veg casserole.
Sautéing the zucchini gives it a smoky edge and slightly changes the texture.
But you still get that fresh and slightly tangy flavor.
The rosemary and thyme add pronounced notes to bring out more from the zucchini.
Veggies and rice have never tasted this good. Give this one a try.
7. Shrimp Creole
A shrimp creole is a dish that symbolizes the unity of different cultures.
This Louisiana-based recipe should be the first option if you’re making a creole.
We are again adding that missing meat element to the table.
Shrimp creole is also quite savory.
You get plenty of aromatic hints, which is always welcome with a rice and veggie-based dish like our casserole.
This one packs a punch. So, remember to serve in small amounts.
You want the sides to complement the mains, not the other way around.
8. Guatemalan Radish Salad
Another excellent option for sides is our next entry here.
We are talking about a Guatemalan radish salad.
The name might sound exotic and all that, but there is nothing much to it.
All you need is a few basic everyday ingredients like radish and other salad veggies.
The only absolute must-have is pork rind or chicharrón.
Yes, we’re talking about fried, crispy pork skin.
The slight smokiness of chicharrón with the fresh veggie mix adds up so well with the casserole serving.
This is what we mean when we talk about adding meat-like elements to the sides.
9. Honey-glazed Carrots
When you need to whip up something quick and easy, honey-glazed carrots are the way to go.
It doesn’t get any simple than that.
These roasted carrots bring some sweet character missing in the broccoli rice casserole.
Plus, when perfectly done, the carrots have a nice texture: a nice blend of softness and crunchiness.
And who can forget the aromatic essences from the other glaze ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, and garlic? Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way here.
You can use other seasonings to enhance the flavors and make your casserole tastier.
10. Lemon and Garlic Sesame Brussels Sprouts
That name is a mouthful. But prepping this special Brussels sprouts recipe is nothing complicated.
Before baking, these sprouts are drenched in lemon juice, garlic, and sesame oil.
Roasting is also an excellent option to bring out that pleasing smokiness.
Once done, they are a perfect pair with any dish, including a broccoli rice casserole.
The zingy and nutty hints from the Brussels sprouts are an excellent way to add another veggie element.
They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The rice casserole balances out the flavors, leaving you with a feast in your mouth.
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