Cheesy Vegetable Casserole: Quick & Comforting Family Favorite

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 1 tablespoon butter; 10.5 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup; ½ cup milk; ½ cup sour cream; 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 2 heaping cups frozen broccoli; 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables; 2 large eggs, whisked; 2 cups cooked rice (white long grain rice recommended); ½ teaspoon garlic salt; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (about ¾ sleeve); 2 tablespoons melted butter

Getting a healthy dinner on the table takes just about 40 minutes with this cozy Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe. It’s a comforting mix of melty cheese, tender veggies, and fluffy rice, perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want something satisfying without fuss.

The image shows a white rectangular dish filled with a baked casserole. It has two main layers: a crispy, golden-brown crumb topping with textured pieces scattered all over, and underneath, a creamy, cheesy mixture with visible pieces of green broccoli, bright orange carrot cubes, and yellow corn kernels. A silver spoon lifts a scoop from the dish, revealing the soft, creamy inside with mixed vegetables. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s not just tasty but also incredibly flexible and family-friendly. I always feel good serving this dish because it sneaks in plenty of veggies disguised in creamy cheese — who says you can’t indulge and nourish at the same time?

Comfort in Every Bite: The combination of melted cheddar and creamy mushroom soup creates a sauce that’s rich without being heavy.
Vegetable Versatility: You can swap out or add any veggies you love or have on hand, which keeps it fresh and interesting.
Quick and Easy Prep: Most of the magic happens on the stovetop before a quick bake, making dinner feel effortless.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love this because everything’s mixed together in that cheesy, creamy goodness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe plays a valuable role, from flavor to texture. Using frozen vegetables keeps things simple and consistent, but fresh veggies can work beautifully if you steam them first. Here’s why these staples come together so well:

Flat lay of a small yellow onion, a pat of butter on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with thick cream of mushroom soup, a small white bowl of fresh milk, a small white bowl of creamy sour cream, a neat pile of shredded vibrant orange cheddar cheese, a handful of fresh broccoli florets, a handful of fresh mixed vegetables including carrots, peas, green beans, and corn, two whole uncracked large brown eggs, a small mound of cooked white long grain rice on a simple white ceramic dish, and a small white bowl with crushed golden crackers placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow onion: Sautéed until soft, it adds a sweet, mellow base flavor that anchors the dish.
Butter: For richness and to help soften the onion—don’t skip the step of cooking it gently.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup: This is the creamy binder that brings everything together. Homemade works wonderfully if you want to avoid canned soup.
Milk and sour cream: They add moisture and tang, cutting through the richness and brightening flavors.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Extra sharp cheddar gives a punch of that classic cheesy flavor, melted right into the sauce and sprinkled on top.
Frozen broccoli and mixed vegetables: They offer a nice mix of textures and colors, plus a nutritional boost.
Eggs: Whisked in to help hold the casserole together and add a slight creaminess.
Cooked rice: Long grain white rice adds body and absorbs all those delicious flavors—cooking it in broth can really amp up the taste.
Seasonings (garlic salt, mustard powder, Italian seasoning, pepper): These lift the dish beyond bland, layering tasty complexity.
Ritz crackers and melted butter (for topping): This crunchy topping is a game changer, bringing a buttery crisp contrast.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tinkering with this casserole based on what’s in season or in my fridge. Sometimes I sneak in kale or spinach, and other times I swap the rice for quinoa for a nutty twist. You should definitely make this recipe your own!

Veggie Swap: Once I replaced the mixed veggies with a medley of roasted cauliflower, carrots, and peas—turned out fantastic and gave the whole dish a cozy roast flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: I’ve tried it with a cashew cream instead of sour cream and a dairy-free cheddar alternative—still delicious, just slightly different texture.
Protein Boost: Adding cooked shredded chicken or canned tuna can turn it into a heartier meal that’s still quick to prepare.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe

A white oval dish holds a layered vegetable casserole with a golden brown, crumbly crust on top. The crust is rough and crunchy-looking, covering the edges of the dish. Just below the crust is a creamy mixture filled with small chunks of colorful vegetables like orange carrots, yellow corn, green beans, peas, and pieces of broccoli. The inside layer looks soft and thick, blending melted cheese and rice, making it creamy and hearty. A spoon scoops a portion from the center, showing the inside texture and layers clearly against the white marbled surface beneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the onions until soft and fragrant

Start by melting a tablespoon of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the finely diced yellow onion and let it cook gently for about 5 minutes until it softens and sweetens. This step is crucial—it creates a flavorful base for the creamy sauce that follows.

Step 2: Stir in soup, milk, sour cream, seasonings, and cheese

Next, add the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and your garlic salt, mustard powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything until well combined, then toss in half of your shredded cheddar cheese. Keep stirring over low heat until the cheese melts into a smooth, rich sauce.

Step 3: Add frozen vegetables and simmer gently

Now, pour in the frozen broccoli and mixed veggies—no need to thaw. Let them heat through in the sauce, about 5-7 minutes. This warms the veggies and softens them slightly without turning mushy. Then remove from heat and give the mixture a moment to cool.

Step 4: Fold in whisked eggs and cooked rice

To this slightly cooled mixture, stir in the whisked eggs and cooked rice. The eggs help bind everything as the casserole bakes later. Make sure the mixture isn’t too hot, or the eggs might scramble.

Step 5: Bake and add the crunchy cracker topping

Transfer everything into a greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top. Cover the casserole and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. While it bakes, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Remove the casserole, scatter the buttery crumbs over the top, then bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Top Tip

From my many batches of this casserole, a few tips made all the difference between good and great. These are the little things that take it from “meh” to memorable every single time.

Don’t Overcook the Onions: Cook until just soft and translucent—not browned—to keep the flavor light and fresh.
Rice in Broth for Extra Flavor: Cooking rice in chicken broth instead of water adds subtle umami notes that really lift the dish.
Let the Mixture Cool Before Adding Eggs: This prevents scrambled bits from forming and keeps the texture smooth.
Cracker Topping for Texture: Don’t skip it! The Ritz crackers with butter give a satisfying crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy veggies below.

How to Serve Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe

The image shows two side-by-side shots of a white pot on a white marbled surface, each containing a creamy white mixture with a smooth, slightly thick texture. In the left image, a red and white spatula is stirring the creamy base, while in the right image, a layer of shredded bright orange cheese covers the white mixture, with the spatula resting inside the pot. Both images focus closely on the content inside the pot without any other objects around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives right before serving. It adds a bit of color and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I also add a dollop of sour cream on the side for extra creaminess.

Side Dishes

This casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want a side, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette works wonders. Garlic bread or a light roasted tomato salad also pairs beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with extra crunchy onions instead of crackers. It just looks so inviting and feels a bit more polished for guests. You could also layer it with alternating veggie layers for a colorful, mosaic effect inside a clear baking dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The casserole keeps its creamy texture surprisingly well, although the cracker topping softens a bit—just add more crushed crackers sprinkled on top before reheating to bring back some crunch.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully. I recommend freezing before the cracker topping goes on—wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, add fresh cracker topping, and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered in the microwave or oven. If in the oven, cover with foil to keep moisture in, then remove the foil the last 5 minutes for crispiness. I find reheating at 325°F works best to warm gently without drying out the veggies or cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen in the Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe?

Yes! If you use fresh veggies like broccoli, carrots, or green beans, steam or lightly cook them first until they are about 90% done. This ensures they blend well with the casserole without releasing extra moisture or remaining too crunchy.

What kind of rice works best in this casserole?

Long grain white rice is my go-to, especially cooked with chicken broth for added flavor. You can also substitute with brown rice or quinoa, but cooking times and texture might differ slightly.

Can I make this casserole vegan?

Yes, with some swapping! Use a vegan cream soup alternative or homemade cashew cream, plant-based milk, dairy-free sour cream, and vegan cheese. Also, skip the eggs or replace them with a flax egg to help bind the mixture.

What’s the best way to get a crispy topping on this casserole?

The buttery Ritz cracker topping is my favorite for crispiness and flavor. Be sure to add it halfway through baking and bake uncovered afterward. Alternatively, crispy fried onions work great if you want something different.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Vegetable Casserole Recipe has become my go-to comfort dish whenever life feels hectic but I want real home cooking on the table. It strikes that perfect balance of hearty, cheesy, and veggie-packed that reminds me of cozy family dinners—and now I’m so happy to share it with you. Try it your way, add your favorite veggies, and let this casserole become a staple in your kitchen too!