I’ve a pan of consolation meals for you at the moment within the type of this wholesome Broccoli Rice Casserole.

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It’s totally loaded with all the most effective components of the unique broccoli rice casserole recipe—the creamy, tacky inside, the delicious mixture of veggies and rice, and the irresistibly buttery, crispy topping—and precisely not one of the worst components.

• This straightforward broccoli rice casserole is created from scratch with wholesome substances you possibly can be ok with.
• Its family-friendly taste will probably be a success with kiddos and grown-ups alike.

Courtesy of a midwestern upbringing peppered with a big household assortment of what I can solely describe as “church girl” cookbooks, I contemplate myself a gradual casserole connoisseur (Hen and Rice Casserole agrees).

Dishes like southern broccoli cheese rice casserole had been a staple at our childhood dinners, however once I began cooking for myself, I averted them at first.

I related casseroles with processed substances.

Whenever you step away from the stereotypes, nevertheless, recipes like this broccoli rice casserole and Broccoli Bake have unbelievable meal potential.

• Casseroles provide a number of meals teams in a single pan.
• You may scale casserole to feed a crowd.
• Casseroles are freezer pleasant, whether or not you’re meal prepping or bringing dinner to a pal.

This healthful spin on a basic casserole tastes identical to mother’s or grandma’s tacky broccoli rice casserole, however it’s so significantly better for you (like my selfmade Hash Brown Casserole).

5 Star Evaluation

“Nobody might consider it was so creamy and tacky tasting but so wholesome and light-weight! That is my trusted website for consuming proper with out sacrificing taste!”

— Mer —

Make Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch

This straightforward broccoli rice casserole could share a reputation with the basic dish, however it’s significantly better for you (like this Wholesome Inexperienced Bean Casserole).

My fashionable take is made with contemporary greens like broccoli and carrots and affords complete grains due to brown rice.

It’s additionally straightforward to make—Sunday nostalgia meets weeknight sensible.

The Elements

• Immediate Brown Rice. Saves time (and dishes). Immediate rice cuts practically 40 minutes out of the cook dinner time and steams along with the broccoli proper in the identical pot. I go for prompt brown rice since it’s greater in vitamins and fiber than its white rice counterpart. I particularly love its chewy texture in casseroles too.

Substitution Tip

• You *can* use prompt white rice or long-grain rice (brown or white) within the recipe, however the cooking time and quantity of liquid wanted will differ.
• Should you’d wish to swap in numerous rice, I like to recommend cooking it individually, steaming the broccoli individually, then stirring every little thing collectively within the pot as directed.

• Broccoli. The star veggie on this casserole (and Broccoli Cheddar Soup). It’s full of fiber and vitamin C. Plus, it’s begging to be coated within the tacky flavors.
• Carrots. Along with broccoli, I supplemented the casserole with carrots. One other kid-friendly favourite, carrots present colour and texture, and they’re a pure pairing with broccoli.

Market Swap

Whereas I’ve solely ever made this casserole with diced or grated carrots and broccoli, be at liberty to experiment with different greens you take pleasure in and are seasonally out there. Cauliflower or grated parsnips can be nice variations to contemplate since their style, texture, and water content material is just like broccoli and carrots.

• Flour. Somewhat all-purpose flour helps make a thick, velvety sauce (as seen on this wholesome Asparagus Casserole).
• Butter. This wholesome broccoli casserole with rice does want some richness, so I added simply sufficient butter to do the job with out weighing it down with extra fats.
• Milk. I used skim milk because the liquid base for our creamy sauce, however you should use any milk you’ve got readily available.
• Dijon Mustard. A refined addition that makes the tacky flavors pop.

• Greek Yogurt. Skip the canned soup. This incredible ingredient is ideal for making creamy casserole sauces (ahem, Turkey Tetrazzini) that usually name for cream of mushroom or cream of rooster soup. It’s excessive in protein, low-calorie, and accommodates zero thriller substances.

Substitution Tip

Should you don’t maintain Greek yogurt readily available in your kitchen, you possibly can swap it for mild bitter cream with equally creamy outcomes.

• Cheddar Cheese. When you do this recipe (or Immediate Pot Mac and Cheese) with freshly grated cheese, you’ll swear off Velveeta broccoli rice casserole. I choose sharp cheddar cheese. Not solely does it soften like a dream, it’s extra totally flavored than delicate cheddar too. Meaning a lesser quantity goes a great distance. Similar nice style, fewer energy.
• Panko + Parmesan Cheese. Is it truly a casserole with out the topping? I believe not. I just like the larger-sized Panko breadcrumbs right here as a result of they make the topping particularly crunchy (identical to on my favourite Pineapple Casserole).

Substitution Tip

Should you don’t have Panko, a basic crumb topping made with buttery Ritz crackers would additionally style divine.

The Instructions

1. Boil the brown rice.

2. Add the broccoli, cowl the pot, and cook dinner for five minutes.

3. Saute the onion and carrots in a giant pot.

4. Sprinkle flour over the greens, stir within the milk, and cook dinner till thickened.

5. Whisk within the yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese.

6. Stir the cooked rice and broccoli. Pile the combination right into a greased baking dish.

7. Scatter on the breadcrumb topping.
8. Cowl and bake broccoli rice casserole for 25 to 35 minutes at 375 levels F, uncovering it half approach via. ENJOY!

Dietary Notes

• Hen Broccoli Rice Casserole. If you wish to add some further protein, try this tasty Wholesome Tacky Hen Broccoli Rice Casserole.
• To Make Gluten Free. Swap a 1:1 gluten free flour for the common flour to make this casserole gluten free.
• To Make Vegetarian. Use the vegetable broth possibility as a substitute of the rooster broth.
• So as to add protein however maintain the recipe vegetarian, add white beans as I did on this Broccoli Quinoa Casserole.

Storage Ideas

• To Retailer. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
• To Reheat. Reheat gently within the microwave or in a casserole dish within the oven at 350 levels F. If utilizing the oven, loosely tent the casserole pan with foil and place the pan on the middle rack for 15 to 25 minutes, till warmed via (the bigger the serving, the longer you’ll need).
• To Freeze. Place leftovers in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

For make-ahead broccoli rice casserole, put together the casserole as directed via Step 6 of the directions. Cowl and refrigerate for as much as 2 days. When able to bake, take away the casserole from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. End as directed, including the panko topping to the casserole simply earlier than baking.

What Goes With Broccoli Rice Casserole

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Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe

The Greatest Dutch Oven

A heavy-duty, high-quality Dutch oven from Le Creuset is a necessary device in my kitchen. You’ll end up reaching for it on repeat! And eight-quarts is ideal for household measurement meals.

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This straightforward broccoli rice casserole with contemporary broccoli bridges the divide between the meals we “need” to eat with the meals we “ought to” eat.

Continuously Requested Questions

Can I Make Broccoli Rice Casserole with Frozen Broccoli?

Frozen broccoli florets could have a mushier texture, however in the event you’d like to make use of it for comfort, you possibly can thaw it and chop it into bite-sized items, then stir it into the casserole together with the rice simply previous to baking. Should you do strive it this fashion, I’d love to listen to the way it goes!

Does Rice Must be Precooked Earlier than Including to Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Whether or not or not rice needs to be cooked earlier than including it to a casserole will fluctuate between recipes. On this straightforward broccoli rice casserole recipe, the rice is cooked with broccoli in vegetable broth earlier than being mixed with the opposite substances and baked within the oven.

Can I Make Broccoli Rice Casserole Vegan?

I’ve not tried making this casserole recipe vegan, so it might be an experiment. Along with utilizing vegetable broth fairly than rooster broth, vegan swaps would must be made for the milk, butter, cheese, and Greek yogurt. Should you determine to mess around with the recipe to make a vegan broccoli rice casserole, I’d love to listen to your outcomes.

• 1 can low-sodium rooster broth or low-sodium vegetable broth (14.5-ounces)
• 2 cups prompt brown rice in the event you use white rice or non-instant rice, the cooking time and quantity of liquid wanted will differ
• 1 pound broccoli florets chopped into bite-sized items (about 8 cups)
• 4 tablespoons butter divided
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 4 medium carrots peeled and minimize into 1/4-inch cube (about 1/2 pound)
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt divided
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder divided
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk (I used skim)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

• Place a rack within the middle of your oven and preheat the oven to 375 levels F. Calmly grease a deep 9-inch-square baking dish or related 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.

• Deliver the broth to a boil in a big pot, then add the rice.

• Return to a boil, add the broccoli to the highest of the rice (no must stir it collectively), then cowl, scale back the warmth to low, and cook dinner for five minutes. Take away the pot from the warmth and let sit, lined, for a further 5 minutes. Many of the rice liquid needs to be absorbed.

• In the meantime, in a dutch oven or different giant deep pot over medium warmth, warmth 2 tablespoons of butter. As quickly because it melts, add the onion, carrot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté till the onion is gentle and beginning to brown, about 4 to six minutes.

• Seize a whisk and maintain it helpful. Sprinkle flour over the greens and cook dinner, stirring with a picket spoon, till all the white components of the flour disappear. Splash the milk into the pot a bit of at a time, whisking to maintain the sauce easy. As soon as all of the milk is added, stir always and cook dinner till thickened, about 7 to 10 minutes.

• Take away from the warmth and whisk within the Dijon and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let cool barely, then stir within the Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese till easy.

• With a big spoon, scoop the rice and broccoli into the pot with the cheese combination. Stir to mix the rice and broccoli with the creamy sauce. Spoon the combination into the ready baking dish and unfold it into a fair layer.

• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, soften the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the panko and Parmesan and stir to mix. Sprinkle the topping over the casserole.

• Cowl the casserole (with the lid or foil if it doesn’t have an oven-safe lid) and bake for quarter-hour, then uncover and proceed baking till sizzling and bubbly and the panko is toasted, about 15 to twenty further minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes, then serve.

• TO STORE: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
• TO REHEAT: Reheat gently within the microwave or in a casserole dish within the oven at 350 levels F. If utilizing the oven, loosely tent the casserole pan with foil and place the pan on the middle rack for 15 to 25 minutes, till warmed via (the bigger the serving, the longer you’ll need).
• TO FREEZE: Place leftovers in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Serving: 1(of 6)Energy: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 17gFats: 17gSaturated Fats: 9gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 47mgPotassium: 628mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 7898IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 372mgIron: 3mg

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