A Spicy Perspective

Broccoli Cheese Casserole Mini Pies

A new lunch box favorite, these broccoli cheese rice casserole Mini Pies! These cozy little side dishes make amazing leftovers, perfect for packing and surprising your sweeties for back to school.

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids

There’s nothing quite as comforting as homemade broccoli cheese rice casserole. My kids love eating it at southern restaurants and beg me to make it at home.

Once school is back in session, they need a little extra comfort after long days and piles of homework. Heck, I need a little comfort as well. Let’s be honest, as much as I’m ready to send them back to school at the end of the summer… The moment they are gone I feel a sense of remorse.

Easy Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids

Did we cherish every last summer moment? Did we make enough happy memories to counter-act mommy’s back-to-school shopping irritations?

I hope so.

How to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids #backtoschool

These perfectly packaged broccoli cheese rice casserole mini pies are a little reminder of just how much I love them. They make a marvelous side dish to any meal, as well as a surprise lunch box meal on a tough day.

The mini pies start with creamy gooey broccoli cheese rice casserole, made on the stove top.

How To: Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids #backtoschool

Sauté onions and broccoli florets in a skillet with a little butter. Then once they are just barely tender, I add in cooked rice, nutty California Cheddar Cheese, and silky California heavy cream.

The rich melting cheese and touch of cream make the texture of the broccoli cheese rice casserole something to experience.

Easy to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids #backtoschool

Using dairy produced in California means that you’re getting products made with 100% California milk, from the more than 1500 dairy families in California. California dairy products are available nationwide and can be identified with the California Milk and California Cheese seals on packaging.

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The kids love helping place the puff pastry into muffins tins, then scooping in the creamy rice filling into each pie.

Simple to Make Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids #backtoschool

We top them off with a bit of extra cheese, then bake them until golden-brown.

Served hot or at room temperature, these little babies are as cozy as a fuzzy blanket.

Love these Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole MINI PIES! #sidedish #lunchbox #kids #backtoschool

Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
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5 from 2 votes
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Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Mini Pies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
An easy mini pie recipe with all the comfort of classic broccoli cheese rice casserole.
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried basmati rice
  • 3 cups chicken stock  divided
  • 2 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 3/4 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons California butter
  • 2 cup California shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1/4 cup California heavy cream
  • 3 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray two 12-cup muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray, every other cup. Meanwhile, place 2 cups chicken stock and rice in a sauce pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the rice for 15-20 minutes, until the stock absorbs and air holes form on the top. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
  • Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal squares and place a square down into the sprayed muffin cups, leaving the points up.
  • While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onion and broccoli to the skillet. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is vibrant green and slightly soft. Add the cooked rice to the broccoli, then add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese. Stir to combine. Then add 1 cup of chicken stock and 1/4 cups heavy cream. Stir until the cheese has melted to form a sauce.
  • Spoon the broccoli rice filling into the puff pastry cups. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then gently lift out. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mini pie, Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 230mg, Potassium: 177mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 440IU, Vitamin C: 17.7mg, Calcium: 156mg, Iron: 0.5mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board. All opinions are my own.

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133 comments on “Broccoli Cheese Casserole Mini Pies”

  1. Scalloped potatoes and ham (we make with plenty of cheese)

  2. Creamy ham & potato soup!

  3. I like zucchini frittata during fall – lots of cheese and heavy cream.

  4. I love cheese broccoli soup with extra cheese.

  5. i like broccoli cheddar pie

  6. Mac and cheese is the all time favorite

  7. we love cheese so anything with cheese is tops on our list!

  8. Our go to dish is Baked Ziti. It tastes great as leftovers too!

  9. Love Veggie Quiche with cream & cheese.

  10. they look so easy!

  11. mac and cheese casserole or lasagna

  12. Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream

  13. Definitely Mac n Cheese! Shell noodles are the best. Throw a little bacon and some veggies in it and you have a full meal!

  14. Love some great soup – butternut squash/tomato/lentil you name it – LOVE

  15. Shepherds Pie!

  16. Homemade macaroni and cheese

  17. Skillet lasagna and quiche!

  18. I love chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce

  19. broccoli cheese soup

  20. Macaroni and Cheese!

  21. Homemade mac and cheese…the way my mama makes it!

  22. Quesadillas!

  23. What a tasty lunch treat!

  24. I love pretty much all cream-based, cheesy soups. So perfect on chilly fall days!

  25. I love a cheesy, loaded oven smashed sweet potatoes! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

  26. I love a good, cheesy lasagna. It is even better left over the next day.

  27. Our favorite in this house is Mac and Cheese by far .

  28. mac & Cheese!

  29. Butternut squash lasagna!

  30. Hands down, quiche is a quick snack, or side dish– even a main dish!

  31. This broccoli cheese has my mouth watering! One favorite–any time–is the cheesy TexMex goodness that is King Ranch Chicken *home made with more cheese and no canned soup*

  32. Grilled cheese sandwich! Thank you for this opportunity!

  33. I am a big fan of soups once the weather gets chilly. Our favorites are mushroom soup and butternut squash soup — both made with milk AND heavy cream!!

  34. Easy as can be- grilled cheese!

  35. It would have to be au gratin potatoes! YUM!

  36. A good, old-fashioned cheese sandwich – my favorite when I was in kindergarten!

  37. I think these would be great for my lunches when I’m at school! Easy, portable, and I can make them ahead.

  38. Cheese Empanadas Are My Favorite!

  39. Mac and Cheese for sure!

  40. We love to make quiches. They are relatively easy and can be reheated!

  41. Alfredo pasta

  42. Mac and cheese or alfredo.

  43. Mac and cheese!!

  44. Quiche is a favorite in our house, and it’s loaded with cheese, eggs, and milk, so it’s a pretty dairy-full meal! And I almost forgot about the butter in the crust.

  45. As the weather gets cooler , I look forward to mac and cheese.

  46. any kind of mac and cheese!!

  47. Mac & Cheese or quiche or lasagna—obviously I am easily pleased.

  48. Lasagna has to be my favorite back to school/ Fall dairy-laden dish!

  49. Enchiladas smothered in ooey gooey cheese!

  50. mac and cheese fresh from the oven and definitely homemade

  51. mashed potato waffles

  52. My mom’s homemade mac and cheese was always a favorite! My family believes it is medicinal!

  53. I love broccoli and cheddar soup! Or any kind of bisque really.

  54. mac and cheeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

  55. Has to be mini cheese pizzas

  56. Pumpkin ice cream! I cant wait for it to start hitting the shelves!

  57. Homemade French onion soup!!!! Lots of cheese!!!

  58. Definitely Mac & Cheese!

  59. My favorite back to school comforts with dairy is quiche. The kiddos love it as well as the grown ups. :) What a great giveaway to get us ready to back to school. Thank you for hosting!

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  60. I like baked macaroni & cheese.

  61. I’m always torn between broccoli cheese soup and chili topped with frito’s, a few handfuls of cheese and a huge scoop of sour cream!

  62. for my kids: loaded mashed potatoes (with heavy cream) and for me: mac and cheese all the way! love these mini casseroles . . love finding new ways to use puff pastry!

  63. potato soup

  64. I love cereal, yogurt, frozen yogurt and smoothies!

  65. Skillet lasagna is delicious or mac and cheese or grilled cheese

  66. I love mac and cheese – brings me back to being a little kid and back to school time!

  67. My favorite fall dairy-laden dish is creamy and cheesy broccoli cheddar cheese soup!

  68. Loving how fast and easy this is!

  69. I love anything with cheese and broccoli.

  70. Banana pudding with whipped cream!

  71. Broccoli cheddar soup!!

  72. Macoroni and Cheese is are favorite!

  73. The family loves it when I make homemade au gratin potatoes, so good!

  74. We add cheese to many dishes. We love quesadillas with fresh garden veggies this time of year.

  75. I’m all about homemade ice cream!!!

  76. hmmm….anything with cheese would do–baked potatoes, mac and cheese, pizza, cheese danishes

  77. Lemon risotto! Butter, mascarpone and parmesan galore!

  78. Cheesy Potato Soup. It’s major comfort food!

  79. Honestly just straight-up cheese is my favorite! Though a cheesy, heavy cream-laded quiche is a very close second.

  80. Beer cheese soup is a favorite at our house.

  81. Love chicken and dumplings topped with plenty of cheese and Mac and cheese.

  82. Would be Macaroni and Cheese

  83. I’m with Marla, these would be great for lunch boxes!

  84. Lasagne!!!!!!

  85. What a comforting little bite!

  86. mac and cheese

  87. Love chess! Broccoli…not so much, lol

  88. Chicken Alfredo is my favorite.

  89. Love these mini pies & great for the lunchbox!

  90. I love mac and cheese!

  91. mac and cheese

  92. Potato, Broccoli and cheddar soup in a sourdough bowl!

  93. Macaroni and cheese with broccoli!

  94. Love that these are mini!

  95. English muffin pizzas!

  96. Chicken, rice, and pea casserole. YUM!

  97. Yogurt granola parfaits!

  98. One of my favorite cheesy dishes is a cauliflower fennel cheese soup. I love the idea of broccoli cheese rice casserole mini pies, will definitely be trying it in the future.

  99. Mac and cheese… like so many others already!

  100. It’s hard to beat a good homemade cheesy macaroni dish!

  101. Butternut Squash Soup with butter and cream!

  102. King Ranch Chicken Soup! Basically, it’s chicken tortilla soup with lots of CHEESE!

  103. I still love tuna casserole. Even made with the goopy soup.

  104. My favorite has to be mac and cheese!!
    These look delicious!! Can’t wait to try!

  105. I love mac n cheese!

  106. We like to make egg cups in muffin tins. They also freeze pretty well.

  107. What a fun idea – casserole in bite-size form!

  108. Homemade macaroni and cheese we have it at least once a week at our house! The kids can’t get enough of it!!!

  109. Corn chowder in the crock pot!

  110. Apple crisp with lots of vanilla ice cream!

  111. smoked gouda macaroni

  112. We eat lots of cheese. I make a great grilled cheese sandwich. Also a broccoli cheese soup that has milk.

  113. We love to have a egg, sauagae cheese make ahead breakfast casserole

  114. My favorite is good old fashioned Mac n Cheese…with a ton of cheese added!

  115. Grilled pizzas!

  116. I love to make banana pudding and/or banana cream pie.

  117. funeral potatoes (hash browns, cheese, sour cream , onions, cream of something soup) baked casserole style.

  118. I love to make rice pudding with a hint of nutmeg!

  119. Grilled cheese sandwiches with a bowl of creamy tomato soup.

  120. These look amazing! Can’t wait to make some for supper. Yummy!!

  121. Definitely a good bowl of homemade macaroni and cheese!

  122. Cauliflower mac and cheese!

  123. As silly as it is, cereal reminds me of back to school.

  124. I love chicken and broccoli casserole and lasanga. Both are so memorable from childhood. I can’t believe it’s time to go back to school!

  125. I like au gratin potatoes.

  126. We love mac and cheese with greek yogurt, broccoli, mushrooms and peas