Description
This Cheesy Broccoli Rice Vegan Casserole is a delicious and comforting plant-based dish featuring tender broccoli, vegan chicken, creamy sauce, and melty vegan cheddar cheese all cooked together in a fragrant rice base. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces vegan chicken, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed
- 3 cups vegetable broth, plus more as needed
- 1 1/2 cups vegan cream
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups vegan shredded cheddar cheese or homemade cheese sauce
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and sauté vegan chicken: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegan chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add garlic and cook briefly: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add rice, broth, and vegan cream: Pour in the rinsed rice, vegetable broth, and vegan cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer rice base: Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 12 minutes.
- Add broccoli and adjust liquid: Stir in the broccoli florets. If the mixture looks dry or there is no liquid left, add about 1 cup more vegetable broth or water. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes until broccoli is tender.
- Incorporate cheese: Uncover the skillet, add 1 cup of vegan shredded cheddar cheese, and stir to combine. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Melt cheese and finish cooking: Cover again and simmer until the cheese on top has melted and the casserole is heated through.
- Season and serve: Taste the casserole and add salt if needed. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Vegan chicken substitutes: Use homemade seitan vegan chicken (about half the recipe amount), store-bought vegan chicken like the Daring brand, or a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas.
- Brown rice substitution: If using brown rice instead of white, increase cooking time to about 40 minutes and add more broth or water (4-5 cups) as needed.
- Cream options: Ripple’s Half and Half works well, or use full-fat coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or homemade cashew cream for creaminess.
- Cheese alternatives: Follow Your Heart cheddar is recommended. For a homemade option, try a cashew-based vegan cheese sauce or nut-free vegan cheese.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and this casserole can also be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
