Description

This Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chickpeas is a wholesome, comforting dish that combines tender brown rice, nutritious chickpeas, and fresh broccoli florets in a flavorful, cheesy-tasting sauce made with nutritional yeast and aromatic spices. Perfectly baked to meld the flavors, this casserole is a healthy, vegan-friendly meal ideal for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquid & Seasoning

2 ½ cups Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth (brought to a boil)
¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
½ tsp Turmeric
½ tsp Garlic Powder
¼ tsp Paprika

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked Chickpeas
2 cups Fresh Broccoli Florets
1 cup uncooked Brown Rice

Instructions

Toast Nutritional Yeast: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a medium pot over medium heat, add the nutritional yeast and toast it for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently until the flakes darken and release a fragrant aroma.
Prepare Broth Mixture: Add the low-sodium vegetable broth, turmeric, garlic powder, and paprika to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Assemble Ingredients in Casserole Dish: While the broth is heating, pour the cooked chickpeas into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Evenly distribute the fresh broccoli florets over the chickpeas, followed by sprinkling the uncooked brown rice evenly on top.
Pour Broth and Bake: Whisk the boiling broth mixture thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly combined. Pour the hot broth evenly over the layered ingredients in the casserole dish. If spices clump, gently stir with a spatula to distribute them. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes.
Serve and Store: Remove the casserole from the oven once cooked. Serve warm as desired. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to one month.

Notes

Using low-sodium vegetable broth helps control the salt content of the dish.
Cooking chickpeas ahead of time or using canned chickpeas can save preparation time.
For a creamier texture, stir the casserole gently after baking if desired.
Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or peas to enhance nutrition and flavor.
Make sure to tightly cover the casserole to retain moisture during baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli rice casserole, vegan casserole, chickpea casserole, plant-based casserole, healthy casserole, gluten-free casserole, nutritional yeast recipes