The Best Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Name: The Best Vegan Broccoli Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped sweet or yellow onion; 2 cups sliced mushrooms (, about 8 ounces); Drizzle of olive oil (, or broth if you don’t use oil); 1 pound fresh broccoli (, chopped into larger pieces (see note)); 3 cups Alfredo sauce (, or cream sauce of choice (see note)); ½ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ cup vegan Parmesan (, my recipe or store bought); ½ cup breadcrumbs (, gluten-free if needed); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons dried parsley; ½ teaspoon sea salt

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Hands down the best vegan broccoli casserole recipe out there! Creamy, rich and satisfying without the dairy, but you'd never know. Also easy to make!

It's hard to nail that dairy like flavor without actual dairy, but this combo of ingredients does is perfectly. The added mushrooms gives an oomph of flavor making this taste incredible!

Creamy broccoli casserole in a blue dish with a fork in it

This post was originally published on February 15, 2021.

I use a similar strategy making this as I do in my green bean casserole. Because my kids love broccoli, I decided to make a change in the veggie and it worked out great. You can change it up with other veggies you love too!

Recipes for classic broccoli cheese casserole vary, but most contain some combination of cream of mushroom soup, milk or cream, cheese, egg, butter, or mayonnaise. This version however, is made only from healthy plant based ingredients, no dairy whatsoever!

This easy broccoli casserole is creamy on the inside and crispy on top, and gets zero complaints from the kids! Serve it as a Thanksgiving side dish, or for a comforting family dinner anytime.

Ingredients

Vegan casseroles are filled with wholesome, healthy, and fresh foods. Here's what you need:

For the filling:

Onion
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Alfredo sauce
Seasonings

For the topping:

Vegan Parmesan
Breadcrumbs
Seasonings

Ingredients needed to make a creamy broccoli casserole on a wooden surface.

Bowls with ingredients needed to make a parmesan breadcrumb topping on a wooden surface.

How To Make Vegan Broccoli Casserole

This comforting casserole is pretty easy to make, which is nice for both busy weeknights and entertaining! Here's what to do:

Sauté the veggies.
Remove from heat and stir in the cream sauce.
Pour into baking dish and cover with topping mix.
Bake & serve!

Broccoli and mushrooms being sautéed in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Wooden spoon mixing creamy broccoli in a pan.

Serving suggestions

This healthy broccoli casserole makes a great side for holiday meals, and even weekly family dinners! Serve alongside these other plant based recipes for a complete meal:

Flavor Suggestions

You can use your favorite store bought sauce, or my homemade Alfredo sauce, sharp white cheese sauce, or creamy cheese sauce.
Mix in extra veggies like peppers, green beans, asparagus, or greens for extra flavor and nutrients.
If you're a cauliflower fan you can also sub out half of the broccoli for cauliflower.
Add cooked rice, quinoa, or your favorite grain to make it more filling as a meal.
Sprinkle in some crumbled Vegan Bacon for a salty bite.
Breadcrumbs are our preference, but crumbled crackers also work great.

Preparation Tips

Fresh broccoli chopped into large pieces is best for this recipe If you can't get fresh broccoli, frozen will be fine.
If you prefer softer broccoli in the casserole, cover and steam for 2-3 minutes before adding the cream.
I used a square baking dish for this recipe. Most casserole dishes will work, but you may need to adjust baking time depending on the depth.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Cook the veggies and make the sauce (if you're making homemade), store in separate containers in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and build.
- The veggies will be best used within 2 days of cooking.
- Homemade Vegan Alfredo will keep for 1 week in the fridge, and 3 months in the freezer.
You can even mix it up and put it in the baking dish up to 1 day in advance. Wait to cover with the topping until you're ready to bake.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing the casserole is possible, but the texture of the broccoli may change.
- Unbaked broccoli casserole will freeze better than baked.
- Seal well in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating in the oven is best for the crispiness, but microwaving would suffice.

A fork getting a bite of broccoli casserole from a blue plate.

Common Questions

Do you have to cook broccoli before putting it in a casserole?

Yes, you'll definitely want to precook the broccoli a bit. I suggest sautéing for about 5 minutes. If you want it softer, cover and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Does broccoli casserole freeze well?

It's possible, but if you do it's best to freeze before you bake. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just make sure to defrost before baking.

How long do you cook a casserole that has been refrigerated?

If you've refrigerated the casserole, you'll want to cook for a little bit longer. If you used the recommended square baking dish it should take 30-40 minutes to heat all the way through.

More Vegan Recipes with Broccoli

Whether broccoli is on sale, or you just really like it, these whole food plant based recipes are all great choices: