Make this Ultimate Creamy & Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. You skip the canned soup and create a rich, homemade cheese sauce. It is a perfect comfort food side dish or an easy main meal. Top it with breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
Author:Jacob Carmichael
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound fresh broccoli florets
1 pound fresh cauliflower florets
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, warmed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional topping)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower: Place the florets in boiling water for 3 minutes. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain well. Set aside.
Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, creating a roux.
Slowly whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Add the shredded cheeses to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth. This is your homemade cheese sauce.
Gently fold the blanched and drained vegetables into the cheese sauce until they are evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
If using, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Jacob prefers using Gruyère cheese for a nuttier flavor, but feel free to use all cheddar.
Blanching the vegetables ensures they are tender-crisp before baking.
This recipe works well as a main dish for a lighter meal when paired with a simple green salad.