Best Broccoli Rice Casserole Ever
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Serves: 8-10
 
Delicious, but needs a disclaimer: this recipes has a few unhealthy ingredients so use it only on occasion and substitute healthier ingredients whenever possible.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs (read ingredients to find the healthiest brand)
  • 2½ cups shredded sharp cheddar (save 1 cup for topping 1½ cups mixture)
  • 6 tablespoons real butter
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 fresh thyme sprig (or 1 teaspoon dry thyme)
  • 2½ cups onion, chopped
  • ½ cup celery, diced
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you're Cajun...lol)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 1½ cups uncooked long-grain (I like the easy to cook type, the other type may require precooking or your casserole will be crunchy)
  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt (organic, unflavored)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • 5 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 4 heads)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the half the butter and toss with the panko bread crumbs. Remove from heat and toss with 1 cup of cheese. Set aside.
  2. Put broth, milk, bay leaf and thyme in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer on low heat.
  3. Melt the rest of the butter in a dutch oven or oven proof skillet. Saute onion, celery, and garlic in the butter until tender. Stir in the flour.
  4. Remove the bay leaf and any thyme twigs if using fresh thyme. Slowly pour the creamy milk mixture into the onion, garlic, flour mixture.
  5. Add the remaining 1½ cup cheese and stir until well blended and smooth.
  6. Stir in the rice, the Greek yogurt, the nutmeg, and the mayonnaise.
  7. Bake this mixture at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender.
  8. In the meantime, prepare the broccoli by chopping it into small pieces. Microwave the broccoli with ¼ cups of water and ½ tsp salt in a covered bowl for about 5 minutes. Make sure the broccoli is light green and tender.
  9. drain the broccoli and pat it dry.
  10. Stir the broccoli into the creamy rice mixture.
  11. Sprinkle the breadcrumb and cheddar cheese mixture on top and broil for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. This should stand a few minutes before serving.
Recipe by Eat Write Pack Light at https://www.eatwritepacklight.com/best-broccoli-rice-casserole-ever/