Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
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5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
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This easy scratch made Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is a total crowd pleaser! We love this vegetarian recipe for everything from holiday meals to family dinners. It can be made in advance and the leftovers rock!
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Ingredients
- 3-4 cups cooked rice
- 1 lb fresh broccoli (I used the tops as well as 2/3 of the stems)
- 1 medium onion (approx. 2 cups chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1.5 cups milk (2% or whole)
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg or allspice optional
- 4 oz gouda cheese (freshly grated)
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 TBSP butter (separate from above)
- 1/4-1/3 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- optional fresh chopped parsley to garnish
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Instructions
- First cook your rice via your favorite method. I used my Instant Pot and you could also use a rice cooker or trusty stove-top method to fluff up some rice!
- While the rice cooks, roughly chop the broccoli florets and chop up those stems as well! I usually chop off the bottom-most portion of the stem and dice the remainder. You'll want a pound total which you can usually get out of one large head of broccoli! Cook via your favorite method. I blanched mine in boiling water until the tops turned bright green. Steaming works great too!
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Heat a sauce pot to medium heat and add the butter, onion, and garlic. Cook until the onions are soft and tender, then add the flour and stir into a paste. Continue to stir and cook the paste for about two minutes, or just until it turns a light golden brown. I use whisk and babysit this step to prevent burning. The browning cooks off the four taste and will help us make our sauce nice and thick.
- Whisk the milk and vegetable broth into the butter and flour mixture. Continue to whisk the mixture while it heats, allowing it to reach a simmer and thicken. Remove from the heat.
- Season with the salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne. If you're a fan of nutmeg, add a pinch here. Allspice works great if you're not a fan of nutmeg! Gradually add half of your grated cheese and mix well. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if desired. Since we're not seasoning the broccoli or rice all the flavor is going to come from our dreamy, creamy cheese sauce!
- Pour the sauce over the rice, broccoli, and cheese, and stir until everything is evenly coated in sauce. Coat an 8x8 or 9x9 casserole dish with non-stick spray, then spread the casserole mixture evenly in the dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Melt 1 TBSP of butter in a small skillet and add breadcrumbs. Mix constantly while toasting, then sprinkle over casserole.
- Bake the casserole for 35 minutes, or until you get some light browning around the edges and on top.
Notes
- I used fresh broccoli here but you can 100% use frozen broccoli. Steam it up or cook via your favorite method and you're good to go!
- Craving extra veggies? Carrots, cauliflower, and zucchini also make fabulous mix-ins. You can swap some of the rice for extra veggies if you'd like! Just make sure you cook 'em up along with the broccoli.
- Both white and brown rice work great here - choose your family's favorite! I went with basmati this time around because we're totally crushing on it lately.
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
430kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
41g
(14%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Cholesterol
70mg
(23%)
Sodium
682mg
(28%)
Potassium
435mg
(12%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1308IU
(26%)
Vitamin C
69mg
(77%)
Calcium
403mg
(40%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 430 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 430kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 70mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 682mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 435mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1308IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 69mg | 77% |
| Calcium | 403mg | 40% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
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