Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup Wellplated Com

It’s fully loaded with all the best parts of the original broccoli rice casserole recipe—the creamy, cheesy inside, the scrumptious mix of veggies and rice, and the irresistibly buttery, crispy topping—and exactly none of the worst parts.

This easy broccoli rice casserole is made from scratch with healthy ingredients you can feel good about.Its family-friendly flavor will be a hit with kiddos and grown-ups alike.

Courtesy of a midwestern upbringing peppered with a large family collection of what I can only describe as “church lady” cookbooks, I consider myself a steady casserole connoisseur (Chicken and Rice Casserole agrees). Dishes like southern broccoli cheese rice casserole were a staple at our childhood dinners, but when I started cooking for myself, I avoided them at first. I associated casseroles with processed ingredients. When you step away from the stereotypes, however, recipes like this broccoli rice casserole and Broccoli Bake have incredible meal potential.

Casseroles offer multiple food groups in one pan.You can scale casserole to feed a crowd.Casseroles are freezer friendly, whether you are meal prepping or bringing dinner to a friend.

This wholesome spin on a classic casserole tastes just like mom’s or grandma’s cheesy broccoli rice casserole, but it’s so much better for you (like my homemade Hash Brown Casserole).

How to Make Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch

This simple broccoli rice casserole may share a name with the classic dish, but it’s much better for you (like this Healthy Green Bean Casserole). My modern take is made with fresh vegetables like broccoli and carrots and offers whole grains thanks to brown rice. It’s also easy to make—Sunday nostalgia meets weeknight practical.

The Ingredients

Instant Brown Rice. Saves time (and dishes). Instant rice cuts nearly 40 minutes out of the cook time and steams together with the broccoli right in the same pot. I opt for instant brown rice since it is higher in nutrients and fiber than its white rice counterpart. I especially love its chewy texture in casseroles too.

Broccoli. The star veggie in this casserole (and Broccoli Cheddar Soup). It’s packed with fiber and vitamin C. Plus, it’s begging to be coated in the cheesy flavors.Carrots. In addition to broccoli, I supplemented the casserole with carrots. Another kid-friendly favorite, carrots provide color and texture, and they are a natural pairing with broccoli.

Flour. A little all-purpose flour helps make a thick, velvety sauce (as seen on this healthy Asparagus Casserole). Butter. This healthy broccoli casserole with rice does need some richness, so I added just enough butter to do the job without weighing it down with excess fat.Milk. I used skim milk as the liquid base for our creamy sauce, but you can use any milk you have on hand.Dijon Mustard. A subtle addition that makes the cheesy flavors pop.

Greek Yogurt. Skip the canned soup. This fantastic ingredient is perfect for making creamy casserole sauces (ahem, Turkey Tetrazzini) that typically call for cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. It’s high in protein, low-calorie, and contains zero mystery ingredients.

Cheddar Cheese. Once you try this recipe (or Instant Pot Mac and Cheese) with freshly grated cheese, you’ll swear off Velveeta broccoli rice casserole. I prefer sharp cheddar cheese. Not only does it melt like a dream, it is more fully flavored than mild cheddar too. That means a lesser amount goes a long way. Same great taste, fewer calories.Panko + Parmesan Cheese. Is it actually a casserole without the topping? I think not. I like the larger-sized Panko breadcrumbs here because they make the topping especially crunchy (just like on my favorite Pineapple Casserole).

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a casserole dish in the oven at 350 degrees F. If using the oven, loosely tent the casserole pan with foil and place the pan on the center rack for 15 to 25 minutes, until warmed through (the larger the serving, the longer you will need).To Freeze. Place leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. This one is beautiful!Dutch Oven. Perfect for preparing the casserole ingredients.Cheese Grater. You can use a microplane grater or a box grater for this recipe.

This easy broccoli rice casserole with fresh broccoli bridges the divide between the food we “want” to eat with the food we “should” eat.