Description
Creamy “Cheesy Broccoli Bake” brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending garden-fresh broccoli with rich, melted cheese. Hearty ingredients unite in one delightful casserole you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 heads broccoli
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), creating an ideal environment for baking the cheesy broccoli casserole.
- Transform fresh broccoli into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform cooking and texture.
- Quickly blanch the florets in rapidly boiling water for precisely 2 minutes to retain vibrant color and crisp texture, then immediately drain and cool.
- Arrange blanched broccoli evenly in a baking dish, seasoning generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Craft a golden breadcrumb topping by gently melting butter and thoroughly mixing with breadcrumbs until perfectly coated and fragrant.
- Distribute the buttery breadcrumb mixture uniformly across the broccoli, creating a crunchy textural layer.
- Generously sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the breadcrumb-coated broccoli, ensuring complete coverage for maximum cheesy goodness.
- Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a beautifully golden-brown cheese crust and bubbling edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest momentarily before serving this warm, comforting side dish to eager diners.
Notes
- Quickly blanch broccoli to maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy during baking.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère or parmesan for unique flavor profiles that complement the broccoli’s earthy taste.
- Toast breadcrumbs before sprinkling for extra crunch and nutty depth, elevating the overall dish’s textural experience.
- For a low-carb version, replace breadcrumbs with crushed almonds or sunflower seeds to add protein and maintain a satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg