Description
Cheesy broccoli cauliflower bake combines crisp vegetables with creamy textures for a comforting meal. Mediterranean herbs and golden breadcrumbs provide delightful layers of flavor you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 to 4.5 cups broccoli florets (about 1 small head or 0.75 lb)
- 4 to 4.5 cups cauliflower florets (about half a large head or 0.75 lb)
- 5 tbsps unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 oz (about 1.5 cups) shredded cheese (mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Asiago, and/or cheddar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 to 3 tbsps unseasoned panko bread crumbs
- Chopped chives or green onion, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with rack centered for uniform cooking, ensuring optimal heat distribution.
- Vegetable Preparation: Trim and slice broccoli and cauliflower into consistent bite-sized florets for even steaming and appealing presentation.
- Steaming Process: Position steamer basket over boiling water, carefully arranging vegetables to steam for 6-8 minutes, maintaining crisp-tender texture and vibrant color.
- Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk in flour to create smooth roux, cooking briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and develop rich flavor base.
- Sauce Development: Gradually incorporate milk, whisking continuously to create silky, thickened sauce, seasoning with garlic powder, salt, onion powder, black pepper, and nutmeg for complex flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat, fold in shredded cheese until completely smooth and fully incorporated, creating creamy, luxurious coating.
- Vegetable Coating: Gently combine steamed vegetables with cheese sauce, ensuring thorough and even coverage of each floret.
- Baking Preparation: Grease baking dish, transfer vegetable-sauce mixture, spreading evenly and topping with remaining cheese and bread crumbs for crispy, golden crust.
- Finishing Touch: Bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbling and cheese turns golden brown, optional garnish with fresh chives for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Steam Timing Matters: Steam vegetables for exactly 6-8 minutes to maintain crisp-tender texture and prevent mushiness.
- Roux Building Technique: Whisk flour and butter thoroughly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth, lump-free sauce base.
- Cheese Melting Secret: Gradually fold cheese into sauce off heat to prevent separation and ensure a creamy, silky consistency.
- Crumb Topping Trick: Distribute bread crumbs and extra cheese evenly for a perfectly golden, crunchy exterior that adds textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 415 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg