One Pan Chickpea Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
This One Pan Chickpea Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting, nutritious, and easy-to-make dish combining tender broccoli florets, protein-rich chickpeas, and creamy cheddar cheese with quick-cooking brown rice. Sauteed aromatics and a rich broth infuse deep flavor, making it an ideal one-pan meal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2.5 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pantry & Dairy
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup quick cooking brown rice
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
Instructions
- Saute aromatics: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and saute for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook casserole: Add the uncooked quick cooking brown rice to the pan and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat the grains in oil and enhance flavor. Pour in the milk, vegetable broth, and add salt to taste. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the base: After boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 10 minutes or until the rice has about 5-8 minutes of cooking time remaining. This partially cooks the rice and infuses the flavors.
- Add broccoli and chickpeas: Remove the lid carefully and stir in the bite-sized broccoli florets and rinsed chickpeas. Cover the skillet again and continue cooking covered for about 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the rice finishes cooking.
- Finish with cheese: Once the rice is fully cooked, remove the pan from heat. Stir in half of the grated cheddar cheese into the casserole to melt and combine. Adjust salt if needed. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top, cover the pan and let it stand for a few minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop generous portions onto plates and serve warm. This casserole makes a wholesome main dish packed with veggies, protein, and comforting cheesy goodness.
Notes
- Use quick cooking brown rice for the best texture; avoid instant rice as it has different cooking properties.
- Vegetable broth can be substituted with chicken broth if preferred.
- Feel free to swap cheddar cheese with mozzarella, gouda, or a dairy-free alternative to suit dietary needs.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of black pepper or smoked paprika with the salt.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Chickpea casserole, broccoli rice casserole, one pan meal, vegetarian dinner, easy casserole, quick cooking brown rice recipe, cheesy broccoli casserole
