Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole is a favorite for rice loving children and for us big kids too. Easy to make and a classic recipe all year round.
Have you ever noticed how much children like rice? Of course, it usually has soy sauce on it but this Broccoli Brown Rice Casserole is another favorite for little ones.
It’s such a relief when kids look really happy when they get to the dinner table. Or even before that when they say “What’s for dinner?”
The cheese is a mild one. I used a vegan Jack cheese that melts and melds right along with the sweet green bell peppers.
Brown rice also makes the dinner seem more hearty. It has a unique flavor that kind of stands out as a star.
How Does Brown Rice Become White?
- Rice is a grain and both brown and white rice come from the same grain.
- When only the outer layer of the husk is removed you have brown rice.
- To make white rice the husk is removed and also the bran layer and germ layer. There you have it – white rice.
Brown Rice sure goes great with broccoli. Simple and flavorful. As you can see in the photo I served it alongside edamame and crunchy garlic bread.
Man, that makes my stomach growl.
Not only is this a wonderful meal throughout the week but it is a classic that is served at all the holidays from Easter on through Christmas.
It’s quick and all of the ingredients are easy to find so a last minute plan is definitely doable.
Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole as Comfort Food
This is an old-timey basic comfort food recipe. There are only 8 ingredients and that’s counting the salt and pepper. It’s like one of those recipes you would have found in a Betty Crocker cookbook in the 60’s.
Simple casserole cooking is something you need to have in your recipe box. Family-pleasing and different enough that you aren’t feeling like your cooking the same old, same old.
You know when you can’t think of what to cook for dinner? Well, this is a great recipe to build your dinner around.
Maybe a soup entree such as Slow Cooker Tomato Soup and crusty bread. You can always add a salad if you want even more greens. As I mentioned before I served this with a side of steamed edamame.
Truly, you can have this for lunch too. It is so satisfying and really sticks to your ribs.
Just make enough for dinner and you can heat the leftovers in seconds in the microwave.
Heat about 30 seconds, stir and then heat another 30 seconds and there you go. Simple and uncomplicated.
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Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli - cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced , chopped
- 3 cups brown rice, cooked
- 8 ounces dairy-free jack cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Lightly oil a 9" x 9" baking dish.
- Steam the broccoli florets for 10 minutes only and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onion and bell pepper.
- Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Turn off the heat in the skillet.
- Stir in the cooked rice, broccoli, cheese, salt, and pepper. Turn all into the prepared casserole.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
IF FREEZING:
Freeze before baking only.
Please follow any of the directions defined in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer
TO PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
Take out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator at least 6 to 8 hours before baking (or the day before). Bake, covered at 350° for 20 minutes and then uncover and bake for 10 minutes.
Thanks so much for this recipe. It reminds me of my moms recipe.
Okay this is fabulous. Nothing more comforting than casserole.
It is such a good staple. Thanks so much Heather!
Fantastic Kirsten! I hope you get to make it soon.
That is what I am always after. Love it!
That is great Aggie and thanks!
This looks so yummy, I almost didn’t realize how many veggies are in there! Great dish!
You can never have too many casseroles options!
This is the type of casserole you can make a meal out of! Plenty of vegetables, rice and cheese to fill you right up!
I so wish we had jack cheese here! This casserole looks great. And my eyes wandered over to those apple pie cookies in the sidebar. 😉 They look awesome, too!
I’ve been trying to add more brown rice to my diet and this looks like a yummy way to do just that!
This looks so good – I think even my picky eater would enjoy this casserole! (And I’d be thrilled that she’s eating broccoli!)
I love that you use coconut oil. I’ve been using it in some of my dishes for awhile now and love the flavor it adds.
I haven’t had broccoli rice casserole in ages, but now that you’ve reminded me of it, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop thinking of it until I make a batch. This sounds delicious!
Uncomplicated yet scrumptious side dishes are the only ones that I seek. My boys would devour this casserole!
I love that this can be prepared in advance making dinner even easier
I’m loving all the green on this plate 🙂 Looks delicious!