healthy broccoli casserole

Casseroles just make things easier! I can make this vegan broccoli casserole recipe a day ahead and just pop it in the oven Sunday morning without all of the fuss, rushing around, and clean up.

Vegan Broccoli Casserole

potatoes,

carrots, diced

onions, diced

broth

raw cashews (or 1/2 cup white beans)

nutritional yeast

lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

paprika

cayenne pepper, optional

broccoli,

onion, diced

garlic,

red bell pepper, diced

celery, diced

veggie broth

chickpeas, cooked

brown rice, cooked

Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce, (recipe below)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

thyme

1/2 teaspoon dry steak seasoning

almonds,

salt & pepper

Make the Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce first using...

Make the Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce first using directions below.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper. If making in a crockpot, select low heat. 

In a medium-sized saucepan, saute onion, garlic, red...

In a medium-sized saucepan, saute onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and celery in veggie broth. Cook until slightly tender, approximately 3  minutes.

Add the broccoli florets and cook another 3...

Add the broccoli florets and cook another 3 minutes.

Stir in chickpeas, brown rice, 2 cups of...

Stir in chickpeas, brown rice, 2 cups of the cheese sauce, almonds (if using), and spices. Save the remaining 1 cup of cheese sauce for topping.

Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.

Pour mixture into a prepared baking dish, pressing...

Pour mixture into a prepared baking dish, pressing in with a spoon to fill the pan. Drizzle the remaining 1 cup of cheese sauce over the top. I like to sprinkle a little more smoked paprika on top. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. If making in a slow cooker, set to low and allow to cook for approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Once completely cooked, remove from oven and allow...

Once completely cooked, remove from oven and allow to cool.

Serve warm and enjoy!

In a medium pot, bring about 3 cups...

In a medium pot, bring about 3 cups of water to a boil. Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in pot and allow to cook until veggies are tender, approximately 15 minutes. Cooking time will vary based on how small the veggies are diced.

When veggies are tender, drain and place them...

When veggies are tender, drain and place them in a blender. NOTE: reserve 1 cup of the broth, and add to blender. Add all the remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.

Now, it's ready to use in this casserole...

Now, it's ready to use in this casserole or anything else you need a creamy, cheesy sauce in. It makes approximately 1 quart and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

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Casseroles are perfect for taking to gatherings and feeding crowds. Classically, they are heavy in meat and dairy, but that’s not the case with these deliciously healthy, warm, and filling vegan casseroles.

Vegan Casseroles

This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole recipe is creamy, cheesy, and wonderfully hearty – yet under 250 calories per serving! This chicken broccoli pasta bake omits canned soup, heavy cream and/or butter, using your choice of pasta, and lighter dairy options, for a wholesome, healthy mid-week family casserole!

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

whole wheat pasta

vegetable or chicken stock (low sodium)

chicken

broccoli

milk

cornstarch

garlic powder

oregano

tsp basil (dried)

tsp salt

red pepper flakes

Ground pepper (to taste)

marble cheese (shredded)

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large pot, add stock and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 5-6 minutes or al dente, stirring occasionally. Do not drain.

In a small bowl, whisk together milk and cornstarch and add to the pot with pasta along with garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Cook for a few minutes until thickened, stirring once or twice.

Turn off heat and add cooked chicken and broccoli. Stir, transfer to previously prepared baking dish and bake covered for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheese, turn off the oven and “bake” until cheese is melted.

Serve hot.

This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is the cozy side dish I can't stop making—ultra creamy (hi, cottage cheese), super easy, and made with frozen broccoli for zero fuss. No heavy mayo or canned, just perfectly tender veg and cheesy goodness topped with crispy golden panko. Delish enough to serve guests and simple enough to make any weeknight! 

Healthier Broccoli Cheese Casserole (with cottage cheese!)

broccoli florets

cottage cheese (low fat

sharp cheddar or Colby Jack cheese

Dijon mustard

parmesan cheese

tbsp chopped fresh parsley*

tsp kosher salt

tsp black pepper

panko bread crumbs

tbsp extra virgin olive oil butter

Preheat oven to 400F. Spray an 8x8 inch or 2 qt baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.

Steam broccoli. I do this by placing frozen broccoli into a large glass bowl. Add 2 tbsp water and cover with a large plate. Microwave for 5 minutes. (You can also steam on the stovetop until crisp-tender.) Drain broccoli well and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add cottage cheese, shredded cheese, parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Break any large broccoli florets into smaller pieces then add to the bowl. Stir until well combined.  Pour into casserole dish and use a rubber spatula to smooth it out.

To a small bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and olive oil/melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over casserole.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is golden and casserole is bubbly!

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Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Healthier Broccoli Cheese Casserole...

Healthier Broccoli Cheese Casserole...

Top 4 healthy broccoli casserole recipes from across the web

The most viewed healthy broccoli casserole recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Healthier Broccoli Cheese Casserole...

Healthier Broccoli Cheese Casserole...

The most viewed healthy broccoli casserole recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine