Easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe Everyone Will Love
why make this recipe
Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a fantastic dish for anyone looking for a healthy yet tasty meal.
This recipe is packed with nutritious vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, making it a smart choice for families.
The creamy cheese sauce adds flavor without too much guilt. It’s perfect as a side dish or even a main course. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time!
Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups raw broccoli florets
- 1 bag 12 oz frozen cauliflower rice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups broth vegetable or chicken, and room temperature works best
- 1/4 cup milk whole or 2%
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Steam the fresh broccoli by microwaving it in a large bowl for 3 minutes. (If you like your broccoli more well done, try 5 minutes, but it continues to cook in the oven later on.)
- Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen cauliflower rice and sauté until thawed, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the cauliflower rice has thawed, sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into the skillet. Stir until the flour has absorbed all of the oil; it should look lumpy.
- While stirring continuously, pour in the 2 cups of broth and 1/4 cup of milk. Keep stirring until the mixture reaches a simmer and thickens to resemble gravy, about 7-8 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add 2 cups of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan. Stir until the cheese has melted, then add the steamed broccoli florets.
- Mix everything together and pour it into an oven-safe casserole dish.
- Optional: Mix together 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, and 1 Tablespoon parsley. Sprinkle this on top of the cheesy broccoli mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes and enjoy!
how to make Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ingredients:
- 8 cups raw broccoli florets
- 1 bag (12 oz) frozen cauliflower rice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken, and room temperature works best)
- 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Steam the fresh broccoli by microwaving it in a large bowl for 3 minutes. (If you like your broccoli more well done, try 5 minutes, but it continues to cook in the oven later on.)
- Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen cauliflower rice and sauté until thawed, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the cauliflower rice has thawed, sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into the skillet. Stir until the flour has absorbed all of the oil; it should look lumpy.
- While stirring continuously, pour in the 2 cups of broth and 1/4 cup of milk. Keep stirring until the mixture reaches a simmer and thickens to resemble gravy, about 7-8 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add 2 cups of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan. Stir until the cheese has melted, then add the steamed broccoli florets.
- Mix everything together and pour it into an oven-safe casserole dish.
- Optional: Mix together 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, and 1 Tablespoon parsley. Sprinkle this on top of the cheesy broccoli mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes and enjoy!
how to serve Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole
You can serve Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole warm right out of the oven. It pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. For a lighter option, enjoy it on its own as a great side dish. Garnish with some extra parsley to make it look even nicer!
how to store Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole
To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely. Place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. To reheat, simply warm it in the oven or microwave until heated through.
tips to make Skinny Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- You can use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen if you prefer.
- Adjust the cheese types to your taste; mozzarella works great too.
- For a spicier kick, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top.
- Make it a complete meal by adding cooked chicken or turkey into the mix.
variation
You can customize this casserole by adding other vegetables, like carrots or bell peppers. Switching out the cheeses or adding cooked quinoa can also change the flavor and texture.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead and keep it in the fridge. Bake it right before serving.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
A: Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just thaw and drain any excess water before adding it to the dish.
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