Cheesy Vegetable Casserole: My Grandmother’s Magic Touch Recipe
This Cheesy Vegetable Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots in a rich, creamy cheese sauce topped with a crispy breadcrumb and Parmesan crust. Perfect as a hearty side or vegetarian main, it features a nostalgic recipe inspired by Grandma’s secret touch, offering warmth and satisfying textures in every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup chopped zucchini (optional)
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (optional)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick during baking.
- Prepare Vegetables: Blanch or steam the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots until they are just tender. If using frozen vegetables, pat them dry to remove excess moisture that could affect the casserole’s texture.
- Make Roux: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to form a smooth roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Remove the sauce from heat, then stir in shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth cheese sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Evenly layer the steamed vegetables in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the vegetables, gently folding to coat everything evenly without mashing the vegetables.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole, then add the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is bubbly, golden brown, and crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the cheese set slightly.
Notes
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole and refrigerating it for up to 2 days before baking.
- For freezing, assemble the casserole without the breadcrumb topping, freeze, then add the topping and bake after thawing.
- Try variations such as adding cooked chicken for protein or swapping cheeses based on preference.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free friendly.
Keywords: cheesy vegetable casserole, broccoli cauliflower casserole, vegetarian casserole, baked vegetable dish, comforting vegetable bake
