Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites

These Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites are a kid-friendly take on a traditional broccoli-rice casserole. They’re hand-held and so easy for kids to eat!

Who doesn’t love a bite-size version of a traditional recipe?! I made these with my children in mind, but I can attest that grownups love them, too! These Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites are made with just a few ingredients you may already have in your pantry or freezer.

These Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites are great because you can make a huge batch and freeze some for later. My kids and husband eat them up pretty quickly, so they’re nice to have on hand.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites Ingredients and Substitutions

• Rice – I used white basmati rice because I usually have it on hand, but you can use any kind of rice you like. Quinoa will also work.
• Broccoli – I bought a big bag of frozen broccoli and have just been thawing small portions at a time. Frozen and fresh both work great.
• Cheese – I also bought a few big bags of shredded cheese that I’ve been keeping in the freezer. Sharp cheddar cheese works great in this recipe, but you can use any cheese you have on hand.
• Breadcrumbs – I happened to have some Panko leftover from a Cauliflower Parmesan recipe I made a few weeks ago. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can smash up some crackers or make your own breadcrumbs with fresh bread.
• Eggs – I used one egg in this recipe to help hold the casserole bites together, but if you don’t have eggs, I think it will work fine without them.

How To Make These Cheesy Rice Casserole Bites

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined.
2. Add half the mixture to a food processor and blend until combined. Add back to the bowl and mix everything together.
3. Use a Tablespoon scoop to scoop the mixture onto the baking sheet, and then use your fingers to pat the top down. Top each one with a small sprinkle of cheese.
4. Bake bites until cheese is melted and bottoms are golden brown. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before eating.

Why Kids (and Their Bodies) Will Love These Casserole Bites

• They’re much less messy than eating a bowl of rice! My kids love rice, but they get it everywhere! These casserole bites are small and compact, and kids can easily take them (without the mess!).
• They’re packed with protein – They have protein from the egg, cheese, and broccoli. This makes them filling and healthy! The cheese also adds calcium which is important for growing kids.
• They’re packed with broccoli – Thankfully, my kids love broccoli, and I don’t have to hide it in things for them to eat it, but these bites are a great way to pack broccoli in for your kids. Broccoli contains a good amount of Vitamin A, which helps the body fight infections and keeps the immune system healthy (and with kids and school germs, we could all use a little extra immune boost). It also has many antioxidants to support the immune system further.
• They’re a complete meal – These bites have carbs, protein, dairy, and vegetables, making them great for lunch, dinner, or snacks!

Have any questions about this recipe, substitutions, or ingredients? Ask me in the comment section, and I will get back to you ASAP.

Looking For More Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes?

Crispy Tofu Nuggets

Kid-Friendly Green Smoothie Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie Bars

Teriyaki Stir Fry with Broccoli and Chickpeas

Vegan Orange Chicken

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites

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5 from 2 reviews

• Author: She Likes Food
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 30 Bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cheesey Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites are healthy, filling and super kid friendly!

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked broccoli, I used frozen
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined.
2. Add half the mixture to a food processor and blend until combined. Add back to the bowl and mix everything together.
3. Use a tablespoon scoop to scoop the mixture onto the baking sheet and then use your fingers to pat the top down. Top each one with a small spinke of cheese.
4. Bake bites until cheese is melted and bottoms are golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before eating.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Snack, Vegetarian
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American