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Keeping things healthy and cozy today with this one pan Broccoli Cheese Wild Rice Casserole. Roasted broccoli, fresh herbs, hearty wild rice, and plenty of melty cheese, all together in one casserole. This is equally great as a healthy vegetarian main course or as a side dish for your next holiday roast. Either way you serve it up, cheesy broccoli with rice is always a good combo!
With the holidays here, it can be hard to sneak in vegetables between all the cheese filled appetizers, pasta dishes, and of course, all the holiday cookies. Trust me, I’m the first to admit that once November and December roll around, I go all out with recipes. I firmly believe we should allow ourselves to indulge in all the holiday food…and then go for a hike!
That said, it’s also nice to have balance. In between all the pasta and cookies, some veggies and whole grains are needed too! I know to some this sounds boring, but I promise veggies can be just as delicious. This casserole is proof.
I always cook so much wild rice during the months of November and December. It just feels so cozy to me. It reminds me of being a kid, and mom making her Sunday night rice pilaf that I loved so much. It’s one of those healthy foods that feels extra comforting, and I’m loving incorporating it into more dishes this year.
One of the main requests I get, is for more vegetarian friendly recipes. I know so many of you are looking to cook more veggie heavy dinners. So I thought I’d share this casserole that my family loves so much.
Growing up my dad used to make these rice bakes that consisted solely of rice, broccoli, cheese, and hard boiled eggs. It probably sounds really odd, but those cheesy rice bakes were delicious. They’re also the inspiration behind today’s recipe. I took his base idea and upgraded it a bit. The end result was this casserole.
It’s quick, simple, a little bit retro (because I think all casseroles are kind of retro), healthy but cozy, and delicious. It’s hearty enough to be a full meal, but could also double as a simple veggie filled holiday side dish. Love a two in one kind of recipe!
The details.
First things first, I always get a lot of questions about what wild rice brand I use. Personally, I like to use a wild rice blend to get a good mix of texture and flavor. This is my favorite wild rice blend. I’ve been ordering via Amazon…where I do 90% of my shopping…anyone else? But Thrive Market and a few other stores carry it as well.
If wild rice is not easily available to you, I recommend using brown rice, but the cooking time might be a few minutes less as wild rice tends to take a touch longer to cook, so just be aware of that!
Ok. That’s the rice.
Now, cook up the shallots along with some thinly sliced cremini mushrooms, some thyme, and a little dill. Add a few pats of butter, and let the wild rice toast up in the skillet. This step is KEY. Toasting the rice in the butter adds a nice nutty flavor to the rice that’s DELICIOUS. It’s a simple step that takes no time, but makes a big impact in the recipe. Don’t skip.
Pour in some water, cover, and let the rice steam until fluffy. This takes a little bit of time. So…pour or mix-up a holiday cocktail, turn on the Christmas music, and relax a bit while this simmers away.
When the rice is fluffy, stir in the broccoli and a couple handfuls of baby spinach (going heavy on the veggies today!). Then add lots of cheese, and transfer the dish to the oven to finish cooking.
When the casserole comes out, the cheese will be bubbling, the edges will be crisp, and the smells coming from your kitchen will be beyond good. Finish off with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and you’ll have the perfect vegetarian dinner that’s both healthy and comforting. Trust me, I know this might not seem that special, but don’t knock it till you try it.
Every bite is filled with nutty wild rice, crisp broccoli, and delicious Gruyère, because two is always better than one.
Also, if you love broccoli cheddar soup, think of this as the carb heavy, baked version. Just with rice and cheese on top. You might not believe me, but this version may just even be better…
If you make this wild rice casserole be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This was so yummy. I doubled the amount of broccoli (which made it hard to stir) but it turned out AMAZING once it cooked in the oven. I was really surprised at how delicious this was because it was so easy! YUM!!
Thank you so much Libby!
Do you precook the broccoli or add it to the rice raw and have it cook in the oven?
HI! You should not precook the broccoli. Add it raw. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
Just made this tonight and it turned out delicious! I actually cut the recipe in half, since it’s just me. I plan on eating this all week for lunch. I too, love wild rice in the winter, so bring those recipes on! Thanks again! (btw, I also tagged you in my instagram story:) )
Thank you so much Alyssa! I am so glad this turned out amazing for you!
It was DELICIOUS. The family loved it. Made a few substitutions: Vegetable stock vs water and added carrots and cauliflower as I did not have enough broccoli. Thanks and Happy December month.
Thank you so much Karine! I am so glad you loved this!
This broccoli cheese casserole is to die for! I am such a fan of wild rice in anything and flavors of your recipe look divine! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you like this recipe!
Goes to my favorites list! Always loved the broccoli & cheese combination, and wild rice is a perfect company! I mixed half white rice, so my 5 & 9 y.o. kids would also eat it, and it was a hit! Served with fish sticks, absolutely delicious!
YUM! I am so glad you and your family loved this recipe, Anya! Thank you!
Definitely going to try this, thanks!
Thank you so much Fiona!
I’m thinking about making this soon, but since it’s just me, I anticipate a lot of leftovers. Is it possible to freeze this?
Thanks!
Hey Erica! Yes, this freezes really well. You can also easily halve the recipe too. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
This looks amazing and is just begging for some chickpeas or lentils added in to up the protein a bit. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks Tieghan!
Thank you Dana! I hope you love this recipe!
Great recipe idea! My family eats a lot of meatless meals each week, so we will have to try this one. Was just adding Lundberg Wild Rice to my grocery list yesterday! Do you have a Walmart Super Center near? They have all the Lundberg rice and grain varieties at ours here on the Eastern Shore Maryland. I think my family will like this dish….just minus the mushrooms for all three of them…maybe I’ll put some in my portion?!
Happy last days of November to you!
Hi Valerie! I hope your family loves this recipe! I do not have a Walmart Super Center, but I do have a regular Walmart near me! Thank you!
Love how creamy and comforting this looks! 🙂
Thank you Brittany!
This is such a great recipe! I’m making this tonight!
I hope it turns out amazing for you, Marian! Thank you!
New reader here! This looks amazing!! I love your photographs, they are gorgeous.
Welcome! I am so glad you are enjoying my blog, Andrea! Also, I hope you love all the recipes you try!
Always appreciate your emphasis on balance and no guilt; and casseroles are retro in the best way possible 🙂
Thank you so much Liz! I am so glad you like this!
oh my, that rice looks really amazing!!
Thank you so much Ruth!