Description
This Famous Broccoli Cheese Casserole is the perfect comfort food, offering a creamy and cheesy topping over perfectly cooked broccoli. It’s one of those go-to healthy recipes for families or anyone craving a classic dinner idea with a delicious, high-protein twist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds broccoli
- Kosher or sea salt, to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more for greasing the dish
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the broccoli: Cut the broccoli into florets (about 10 cups). Trim the dry ends off the stems and peel the outer layer. Cut into coins. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding a pinch of salt. Add broccoli stems and cook for 3 minutes. Add florets and cook until tender and bright green, about 3-4 minutes. Drain, add ice cubes to stop cooking, rinse with cold water, and drain on a tea towel.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 9×13-inch glass casserole dish.
- Toast the breadcrumbs: In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside. Wipe out the pot and return to the stove.
- Make the sauce: In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, cooking for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, bring to a simmer, and cook until thickened (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole: Add the drained broccoli to the prepared dish, season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the cheese sauce and top with the remaining cheese and toasted breadcrumbs.
- Bake: Bake until cheese is melted and the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers: Let leftovers cool completely before storing in the fridge. They will last for 2-3 days if tightly sealed.
Notes
- Make sure to not overcook the broccoli to maintain its bright green color and texture.
- You can substitute the sharp cheddar with another cheese of your choice, like mozzarella or Gruyère.
- For a crunchier topping, you can increase the amount of breadcrumbs or add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- If you prefer a richer version, you can use heavy cream instead of milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg