Cheesy Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Brown Rice Casserole Kansas City CSA

Are you searching for ways to get your kids (or yourself) to eat more broccoli? Well, look no farther than this healthier alternative to the normally- cream- of -mushroom ladened cheesy, broccoli casserole.  This technique to make “cream of mushroom” soup can be used as a substitute for any recipe that uses canned soup for a sauce.

Ingredients

1 Cup uncooked Brown Rice (or about 3 cups COOKED rice)

16 ounces Broccoli, trimmed weight, fresh or frozen

3 Tablespoons Butter, additional 1 or 2 T. may be needed

1 Onion, chopped

8 ounces Mushrooms

4 cloves Garlic, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons Flour

2 Cups Milk, whole

1 teaspoon Paprika

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire

Dash Hot Sauce (optional)

2 Cups Cheddar Cheese, freshly shredded

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Combine 1 cup (uncooked) brown rice and 2 cups water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer covered for about 40 minutes. You may have more rice than needed for the casserole (see instruction 7.)

2. Meanwhile, if using fresh broccoli; cut into large pieces, cook in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, drain well, then finely chop. Set aside.

If using frozen broccoli; partially thaw, then finely chop. Set aside.Broccoli, chopped, CSA Kansas City

3.Preheat the oven to 375F.

4. Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in a deep, large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until soft, adding additional butter if needed. Add chopped garlic and sprinkle on the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Whitesauce1 CSA Kansas City

5. Gradually, add the milk, a quarter-cup at a time, stirring to incorporate the milk into the flour during each addition (see photo, below).


Whitesauce2 Kansas City CSA

 

6. Over medium to medium-high heat, stirring constantly, heat the sauce to boiling and cook the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, until it has thickened slightly (see photo, below).  Season the white sauce with the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, (optional hot sauce) and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.

Whitesauce3 Kansas City CSA

7. Stir the broccoli into the cheese cream sauce and then gradually add the cooked brown rice to the broccoli/ cheese sauce mixture, until the desired consistency is reached; you may choose not to use all of the cooked rice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cheesy Broccoli Cass. unbaked Kansas City CSA

8. Transfer to a greased casserole dish (9 inch square or similar). Bake at 375F until hot and bubbly, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Cheesy Broccoli Brown Rice Casserole Kansas City CSA

 

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