Description

This One Pan Chickpea Broccoli Rice Casserole is a cozy, nourishing dish made with simple pantry staples. Featuring tender rice, protein-packed chickpeas, and broccoli in a savory, lightly cheesy sauce, it’s the perfect all-in-one comfort meal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

2–3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup uncooked long grain white or brown rice

2 ¼ cups vegetable broth (for white rice) or 2 ½ cups (for brown rice)

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cups broccoli florets, bite-sized

½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning

¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or vegan, optional)

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, for cheesy flavor)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Combine Ingredients: Add rice, vegetable broth, chickpeas, broccoli, salt, pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, and nutritional yeast. Stir well to combine.
Bake: Cover tightly with a lid or foil. Bake 35–40 minutes for white rice or 45–50 minutes for brown rice, stirring gently halfway through to prevent sticking.
Add Cheese (Optional): When rice is tender, remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese, and return uncovered for 5–7 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Add mushrooms, peas, or bell peppers for extra veggies.

For a creamy variation, stir in a splash of coconut milk or cashew cream before serving.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking for a crispy finish.

Use frozen broccoli directly from the freezer—no need to thaw.

To make it vegan, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 290
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 0mg