Easy Broccoli & Rice Casserole

Wonder of wonders, I am still picking broccoli out of our garden.  Usually the heat of early July will end our broccoli crops but not this year.  We’ve just recent gotten tastes of summer heat.  So, we are still enjoying broccoli.  Some has made it to the freezer but a lot of it is getting used fresh.  Here is an easy, one dish dinner.  I put chicken in this recipe, but it can easily be omitted for a great vegetarian dish.  Since it was about ninety-five degrees the day that I made this, I made it in the microwave.  It can also be cooked in the oven or slow-cooker.  Drop me a line if you’re interested in other cooking methods.

Broccoli & Rice One Dish Dinner

Ingredients

2 cups Brown Rice, uncooked

4 1/2 cups Water

3 cups Broccoli, florets or chopped

1 medium Onion, chopped

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 cup cubed Cheddar Cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped Chicken (cooked)



Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave safe casserole dish with a lid.


2. Cover and microwave for 15 minutes.   Remove from microwave and stir.  Repeat.


3. At this point the rice should have absorbed most of the water and it should be soft most of the way through.  If not, cook longer at 5 minute intervals.  If it has reached the point of near softness put the lid back on the dish and let it sit for 20 minutes.  The steam in the dish should continue to cook the rice the rest of the way.  If, at any point, it looks like your rice is absorbing too much of the liquid and the casserole looks dry, stir in additional water as necessary in ¼ cup increments.

It was a crazy day in the kitchen, so I didn't get any "after" pictures, but your final dish should be moist and cheesy.  Enjoy!  Click here for a printable version of this recipe.