🥦 Vegan Broccoli Cauliflower Rice Casserole – Creamy, Cheesy & Nourishing

This Vegan Broccoli Cauliflower Rice Casserole is a wholesome, veggie-packed comfort dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and completely dairy-free. With roasted broccoli, cauliflower rice, and a rich hemp-seed cheese sauce, this casserole makes the perfect plant-based dinner or healthy meal-prep recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Casserole

• 100% Dairy-Free & Vegan – Creamy hemp-seed cheese sauce replaces dairy.

• Nutrient-Dense – Packed with cruciferous veggies, plant protein, and healthy fats.

• Comforting Yet Light – A cozy casserole without being heavy.

• Meal Prep Friendly – Stores well for leftovers and reheats beautifully.

🥬 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Casserole:

• 1 large head of broccoli

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 jalapeño, deseeded and diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups cauliflower rice

• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

• Sea salt & pepper, to taste

For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup hemp hearts/seeds

• ¼ cup roasted red peppers

• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 ½ tablespoons arrowroot powder 

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Roast the Broccoli

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut broccoli into florets, toss with olive oil and seasoned salt, and roast on parchment-lined baking sheet for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

2. Cook the Base

In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil. Cook onion and jalapeño for 3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in cauliflower rice and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Blend the Cheese Sauce

In a high-speed blender, combine hemp seeds, roasted red peppers, nutritional yeast, turmeric, arrowroot, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and water. Blend until smooth.

4. Combine & Simmer

Add cheese sauce and frozen mixed vegetables to the pan with cauliflower rice. Stir until the sauce thickens and veggies are cooked through.

5. Finish & Serve

Remove from heat, fold in roasted broccoli, and serve warm.

🌱 Serving Suggestions for Cauliflower Rice Casserole

• Enjoy as a main dish with a fresh salad.

• Pair with vegan protein like baked tofu or lentil patties.

• Serve as a side dish for a family dinner or holiday spread.

• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

💡 Pro Tips

• For a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed nuts before serving.

• Swap hemp seeds for cashews if you prefer a creamier cheese sauce.

• Add smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor.