Cheese Bake Broccoli Carrots (Printable)
Tender broccoli and carrots in a creamy cheddar sauce, finished with a crunchy panko-Parmesan topping.
# What you need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
02 - 2 cups carrots, sliced, fresh or frozen
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Topping
11 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
12 - 1 tablespoon melted butter
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets and carrot slices for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually pour in milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
04 - Remove pan from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
05 - Gently fold steamed broccoli and carrots into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading out evenly.
06 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese, if using. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top of the casserole.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You can make the whole casserole with just a few everyday ingredients – and it always tastes like something special.
- The combination of gooey cheese, crisp topping, and tender veggies is pure joy, especially when you want a side or easy vegetarian meal everyone will eat.
02 -
- Once I tried skipping the blanching step to save time, and the veggies ended up much too firm—definitely give them a quick steam first.
- Mixing the breadcrumbs with a little melted butter completely transformed the topping from pale to perfectly crunchy and golden.
03 -
- Letting the bake rest before serving is the secret to neat squares that hold together.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the silkiest, most decadent sauce.