I’ve a pan of consolation meals for you immediately within the type of this wholesome Broccoli Rice Casserole.
It’s totally loaded with all one of the best elements 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 none of the worst elements.
- This simple broccoli rice casserole is produced from scratch with wholesome substances you may be ok with.
- Its family-friendly taste will probably be successful 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 take into account myself a gradual casserole connoisseur (Rooster and Rice Casserole agrees).
Dishes like southern broccoli cheese rice casserole have been a staple at our childhood dinners, however once I began cooking for myself, I prevented 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 unimaginable meal potential.
- Casseroles provide a number of meals teams in a single pan.
- You’ll be able to scale casserole to feed a crowd.
- Casseroles are freezer pleasant, whether or not you might be meal prepping or bringing dinner to a good friend.
This healthful spin on a basic casserole tastes similar to mother’s or grandma’s tacky broccoli rice casserole, nevertheless it’s so a lot better for you (like my selfmade Hash Brown Casserole).
5 Star Evaluate
“Nobody might consider it was so creamy and tacky tasting but so wholesome and lightweight! That is my trusted website for consuming proper with out sacrificing taste!”
— Mer —
The best way to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch
This straightforward broccoli rice casserole could share a reputation with the basic dish, nevertheless it’s a lot better for you (like this Wholesome Inexperienced Bean Casserole).
My trendy take is made with contemporary greens like broccoli and carrots and presents entire grains due to brown rice.
It’s additionally simple to make—Sunday nostalgia meets weeknight sensible.
The Components
- 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.
- Broccoli. The star veggie on this casserole (and Broccoli Cheddar Soup). It’s filled with 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 coloration and texture, and they’re a pure pairing with broccoli.
- Flour. Just a little 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 gotten available.
- Dijon Mustard. A delicate addition that makes the tacky flavors pop.
- Greek Yogurt. Skip the canned soup. This unbelievable 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 incorporates zero thriller substances.
- 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 desire sharp cheddar cheese. Not solely does it soften like a dream, it’s extra totally flavored than delicate cheddar too. Which means a lesser quantity goes a great distance. Identical nice style, fewer energy.
- Panko + Parmesan Cheese. Is it really a casserole with out the topping? I feel not. I just like the larger-sized Panko breadcrumbs right here as a result of they make the topping particularly crunchy (similar to on my favourite Pineapple Casserole).
The Instructions
- Boil the brown rice.
- Add the broccoli, cowl the pot, and cook dinner for five minutes.
- Saute the onion and carrots in a giant pot.
- Sprinkle flour over the greens, stir within the milk, and cook dinner till thickened.
- Whisk within the yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Stir the cooked rice and broccoli. Pile the combination right into a greased baking dish.
- Scatter on the breadcrumb topping.
- Cowl and bake broccoli rice casserole for 25 to 35 minutes at 375 levels F, uncovering it half approach by means of. ENJOY!
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 by means of (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 by means of 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
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
The Finest Dutch Oven
A heavy-duty, high-quality Dutch oven from Le Creuset is a necessary software in my kitchen. You’ll end up reaching for it on repeat! And eight-quarts is ideal for household measurement meals.
This simple broccoli rice casserole with contemporary broccoli bridges the divide between the meals we “need” to eat with the meals we “ought to” eat.
Often Requested Questions
Frozen broccoli florets may have a mushier texture, however in the event you’d like to make use of it for comfort, you may thaw it and chop it into bite-sized items, then stir it into the casserole together with the rice simply previous to baking. In case you do attempt it this manner, I’d love to listen to the way it goes!
Whether or not or not rice needs to be cooked earlier than including it to a casserole will differ between recipes. On this simple 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.
I’ve not tried making this casserole recipe vegan, so it could be an experiment. Along with utilizing vegetable broth somewhat than rooster broth, vegan swaps would have to be made for the milk, butter, cheese, and Greek yogurt. In case 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 reduce 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
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Place a rack within the middle of your oven and preheat the oven to 375 levels F. Evenly grease a deep 9-inch-square baking dish or related 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
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Deliver the broth to a boil in a big pot, then add the rice.
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Return to a boil, add the broccoli to the highest of the rice (no have to 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, coated, for an extra 5 minutes. A lot of the rice liquid needs to be absorbed.
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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 tender and beginning to brown, about 4 to six minutes.
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Seize a whisk and maintain it useful. Sprinkle flour over the greens and cook dinner, stirring with a picket spoon, till the entire white elements of the flour disappear. Splash the milk into the pot slightly at a time, whisking to maintain the sauce easy. As soon as all of the milk is added, stir continuously and cook dinner till thickened, about 7 to 10 minutes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 scorching 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 by means of (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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