Cozy up to a bowl of cheesy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole. It’s just thing to keep you warm and snug on chilly evenings.
Comfort Food
Comfort food season is here, and I can’t think of anything more comforting that a hearty cheesy casserole. This casserole is made with brown rice and broccoli and it just might be my favorite cold weather meal.
Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
Broccoli is probably my favorite vegetable. I came to love it because of the cheese sauce my mom would make it with when I was little. It was frozen broccoli drowning in a sauce made from a packet of powdered mix, but I loved it.
I still love broccoli and cheese, only now as an adult, I’ve ditched the dairy. Often, I'll add broccoli to my mac and cheese, and I make my own cheese sauce with hidden veggies. There’s just something really magical that happens when cheese sauce combines with those little florets.
If this recipe looks familiar, it’s because it’s based on my own Broccoli with Cheese Sauce recipe. I had created it a few years ago in order to curb my childhood comfort food cravings. Instead of pouring cheese sauce over cooked broccoli and serving it as a side dish, I’ve combined the two with cooked rice and baked it to serve as a main.
Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole
The “cheese” in this Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole is actually made with vegetables. Here, I’ve used carrots, potatoes, and onion. In my original cheese sauce recipe, I had used cauliflower and sweet potatoes. I had to change it because Dennis can no longer eat cauliflower. (He has gout and sadly, cauliflower causes it to flare up.) If you’d rather use cauliflower instead of potatoes, go for it.
Although I did include approximate amounts of carrots and potatoes, you don’t need to worry about being precise. The recipe will work if you use a little more or a little less than what I’ve listed.
Having leftover rice in the fridge helps this casserole to come together pretty quickly. I like to make a big batch and then freeze it in small containers. The cheese sauce can be made in advance, if you know you’re going to be pressed for time. You can make the whole casserole in advance, cover it and place it in the fridge, and then pop it in the oven when you’re ready for dinner.
A big bowl of Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole is all I need for dinner on a chilly weeknight. If you want to add a little protein, you can add a can of cooked chickpeas in when you’re mixing the rice, broccoli, and cheese sauce together. You also serve this as a side dish with grilled seitan or a Gardein patty.
Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 carrots chopped (about a cup)
- 2 cups chopped cauliflower
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Casserole
- 2 bunches broccoli cut into bite-sized florets (about 6 cups)
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°.
- Place the carrots, cauliflower, potato and cashews in a large pot. Fill it with enough water to cover the vegetables plus about two inches.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork tender.
- Drain the vegetables and save the water. Allow the vegetables to cool slightly and then place them in a high-speed blender or food processor along with the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, cornstarch, and salt. Add 2 cups of the reserved cooking water and blend until smooth and creamy.
- While the vegetables are cooking, steam the broccoli. Add about an inch of water to a large pot. Place a steamer basket inside and fill it with the broccoli florets. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and let cook for about 3 minutes.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can blanch the broccoli. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, and have a bowl of ice water standing by. Cook the broccoli in the water for a minute or two. Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and plunge into immediately in the ice water.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cooked brown rice, steamed broccoli, and cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into a large casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with paprika.
- Bake your casserole for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the top has turned golden brown.
Becky Striepe
Ooh this looks like a perfect Thanksgiving side, and I bet you could make it ahead, to save yourself some day-of prep!
Dianne
Thank you, Becky! Yes, you can definitely make it ahead of time. It reheats well.
Jenn
This dish reminds me of my childhood. We ate broccoli rice casserole a lot, but of course, this is a much healthier version! I have a bunch of broccoli in my fridge right now and we always have rice, potatoes, and carrots, so this will be happening! The kids will love it too!
Dianne
I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!
Cadry
I had so many rice casseroles growing up, but it's not something I ever think about now. Your cheesy, broccoli-filled rice casserole sounds incredibly cozy!
Dianne
Thank you, Cadry!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes
Perfect! I was looking for a new casserole recipe to try out for dinner tonight! I have all the ingredients on hand! So excited to make this! Thanks for the recipe, Dianne!
Dianne
Thank you, Vanessa! I hope you enjoy it!
Alisa Fleming
I do a lot of stove top rice dishes but never think to bake them. I love this concept and I'm down with anything dairy-free cheesy with broccoli!
Dianne
Broccoli and cheese is the best, isn't it?
Linda from Veganosity
This looks and sounds so delicious!! I love cheesy rice, and the added broccoli makes it even better.
Dianne
Thanks so much, Linda!
Kathy Hester
Broccoli and rice casserole is such an amazing comfort food, especially in this cold weather. I can't wait to make it.
Dianne
Thank you, Kathy! I hope you enjoy it!
Heather
Just made this and loved it!!! Great cheesy sauce recipe!
Dianne
I'm so happy to hear that, Heather!
Jennifer Schulze
can you substitute cauliflower for the potatoes?
Dianne
Hi, Jennifer. I'm sure cauliflower would work instead of potatoes. Let me know how it goes!