Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole
Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole is a delicious addition to any meal. Filled with fresh vegetables and hearty brown rice, this will be a dish you will have to make over and over.
More Than A Side Dish.
Broccoli and rice have been stapes for a very long time and go together so very well. For example, our BEEF AND BROCCOLI recipe is a subscriber favorite and is so easy to make. This combination goes so well together, we decided to use protein packed brown rice and “Southern” it up and make a casserole.
Filled with great sautéed veggies like Mushrooms, onions and celery, it becomes something kind of fancy. This is proof you can take slightly boring side dishes and jazz them up. Just like our BACON CORNBREAD SALAD, this recipe puts all myths about side dishes being boring to bed.
How to Make It.
Like many other casseroles, there are a few components that have to be prepped ahead of time. None too labor intensive but it does seem kind of overwhelming at first. Just know this ingredient list may look long but it really is worth it!
~Ingredients
- 3 cups steamed broccoli – we like to get the microwavable steam packs of broccoli to make this a little easier!
- 1/3 Cup butter, divided – We will use this butter a couple of times, so just measure it out and keep it on hand.
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs – You can sub butter crackers for this if you don’t have any on hand. These are just really crunchy and add lots of texture!
- I cup cheddar cheese, divided – same as with the butter, measure it out and keep it nearby!
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese – no explanation needed. Cheese is like bacon, it makes everything better!
- 3 cups beef broth – adds real depth to the brown rice and overall flavor of the dish.
- 2 cups milk – a creamy base to thicken things and give it a nice velvety smoothness.
- I cup chopped onion – for flavor.
- 1/2 cup chopped celery – another flavor enhancer.
- 1/2 cup mushrooms – add body and nutrients to the casserole.
- salt and pepper to taste – use according to your dietary needs or flavor preference.
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic – again, it seems like a lot but it cooks away and adds real flavor to the rice.
- 1/4 Cup flour – for thickening.
- I and 1/2 cup quick brown rice – a healthier less starchy alternative to its lighter cousin.
- 1/2 cup sour cream – to add body to the casserole.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise – a little something extra for flavor!
~Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoon butter and mix with panko bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of each cheese.Set Aside.
- Simmer broth and milk over medium heat. after bringing to a boil reduce to low heat. keep warm.
- Melt remainder of butter in a dutch oven. Cook celery and onion until soft. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook until tender.
- Add garlic and flour. Cook I minute. add broth/milk mixture and cheese. Mix well.
- Add rice, sour cream and mayonnaise. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes in preheated oven. Check for doneness of rice around the 20 minute mark.
- Remove from oven and add steamed broccoli and pour in a greased casserole dish if desired.
- Top with breadcrumbs mixture and place under broiler for 2 to 4 minutes until brown. allow to cool. Serve and enjoy.
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Tips and Tricks
Yes, you may just need to cook it according to package directions before hand. Brown rice takes twice as long to cook as regular rice. That is why we used the quick cooking kind in this recipe. To save time. If that is what you have on hand, use it, just cook it ahead of time!
Beef! Leftover cooked roast would be absolutely delicious. I am also not opposed to adding a wonderful cooked rotisserie chicken to this as well. As with all of our recipes, we love for you to add to them and make them your own!
You could cut the amount of cheese in half. Omit the mayonnaise and milk. I would leave the sour cream. It is actually a healthy fat. Taking those things out will change the flavor slightly but should save you on your calorie expenditure.
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Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups steamed broccoli
- 1/3 Cup butter divided
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- I cup cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 cups milk
- I cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup mushrooms
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/4 Cup flour
- I and 1/2 cup quick brown rice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoon butter and mix with panko bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of each
cheese.Set Aside. - Simmer broth and milk over medium heat. after bringing to a boil reduce to low heat. keep warm.
- Melt remainder of butter in a dutch oven. Cook celery and onion until soft. Add mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook until tender. Add garlic and flour. Cook I minute. add broth/milk mixture and cheese. Mix well.
- Add rice, sour cream and mayonnaise. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes in preheated oven. Check for doneness of rice around the 20 minute mark.
- Remove from oven and add steamed broccoli and pour in a greased casserole dish if desired.
- Top with breadcrumbs mixture and place under broiler for 2 to 4 minutes until brown. allow to cool. Serve and enjoy.
