Broccoli Cheese Bake
Broccoli Cheese Bake, the creamiest and cheesiest Broccoli Side Dish you will ever eat. Everyone will ask for seconds. A dish you will be making over and over.
One good thing about the holidays is I can add all the creamy bake dishes I want and just say “Well it’s the holidays”. So that, my friends, is what I am saying and I am sticking to it.
Before I made the biggest decision of my life, which was to get married and move to Italy, my husband spent some time in Toronto, (actually that is where we met) getting to know my family and friends and of course enjoying my Mom’s cooking.
One of his favourite dishes was this Broccoli Casserole. I was never a big broccoli fan but done this way it is easy to become one. Needless to say this is one of many recipes that I took with me to my new country.
How to make Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Cook the broccoli florets in boiling water for about 10 minutes, drain well.
- In a medium large pot over low heat melt the butter, then whisk in the flour and salt, combine until smooth.
- Then slowly add the milk and continue to whisk until thickened and starts to boil.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Fold in the cheese and broccoli and gently combine, then add the eggs and combine.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let sit 5 minute before serving!
So whenever my husband would bring home a head or two of broccoli that his wonderful mother would gift us with from her garden this of course was one of the first dishes I would make.
Italians like to steam or boil the broccoli first then sauté it with some olive oil, garlic and salt. This is a delicious way also. But nothing beats baked broccoli.
I know how hard it can be sometimes to get your kids to eat vegetables, especially broccoli, but done this way my kids actually love it and look forward to a remake.
More delicious Broccoli Recipes
- Orecchietti Pasta with Broccoli
- Creamy Broccoli Potato Casserole
- Baked Broccoli Tater Tots
- Creamy Broccoli Bacon Penne Casserole
Can Broccoli Cheese Casserole be prepared ahead of time?
The casserole can be prepared the day ahead, just be sure to cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Just remove from the fridge and bake.
How to store Broccoli Casserole?
The Broccoli Cheese Casserole should be stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped and kept in the refrigerator. Stored properly, the casserole will last for three to five days in the fridge.
How to freeze it
If cooked be sure to freeze it when it is completely cooled and cover very well, wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe bag or container. You can also freeze it unbaked, again cover tightly, then in a freezer bag, bake it from frozen, although it will need more time to bake.
Is Broccoli good for you?
Broccoli is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants as . Including vitamin C, it is also delicious whether eaten cooked or raw.
You can never go wrong with this delicious creamy baked dish. Tender broccoli in a delicious white sauce mixed with the tanginess of swiss cheese which is then all baked to perfection.
Broccoli cheese bake is also a perfect dish to make for when I have friends or family for dinners, it also makes the perfect side dish for special holidays. I hope you enjoy it! Buon Appetito!
Broccoli Cheese Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound head of broccoli ** 1/2 kilo
- 3 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk 490 grams
- 1 3/4 cup shredded swiss cheese (or cheddar cheese) 200 grams
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325° (160° celsius)
- Lightly grease a large baking dish. (at least 10 x 7 inches / 25 x 18 centimeters)
- In boiling water cook broccoli for approximately 5-10 minutes (until al dente) drain well. (gently dry with paper towels to absorb extra moisture).
- In a large pot over low heat melt butter, whisk in flour and salt, continue whisking until smooth. Slowly add the milk and continue whisking constantly until thickened and starts to boil (let slow boil 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Fold in cheese and broccoli and combine gently until cheese starts to melt slightly, add eggs and continue to stir gently to combine.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for approximately 30-45 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
- ** You can use Broccoli, Romanesco or Cauliflower
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from November 27, 2014.
Looking forward to try this recipe! We’ll keep you posted! Happy cooking!
Hi Lise, thanks so much, I hope you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend!
Can you cook this in the microwave instead of the oven?
Hi Etta, I really don’t know, I don’t have a microwave so I can’t really say. Sorry. If you try it, let me know. Take care!
Fantastic recipe! I was worried at first when I took it out of the oven, I thought I had made a thick scrambled egg broccoli casserole but boy was I wrong! It is a deliciously creamy cheesy broccoli bake, perfectly cooked. I used frozen broccoli and added some garlic powder to the flour. We topped our baked potatoes with it and it will definitely be a returning meal. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
Hi Brooke, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend!
Delicious, thank you so much! I had reservations about adding eggs but am so glad I followed the recipe to a T – it came out delicious
Hi Vivien, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care!
Hello, very easy recipe. Just putting it in the oven now. Can’t wait to taste this. Have a blessed evening
Hi Veronica, thanks so much, I hope you enjoy it. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!
Can you add cooked chicken to this?
Hi Cheryl, sure, fold it in with the broccoli. Take care and have a great weekend!
It was so yummy. This is a meal with a salad. Perfect. Thank you.
Hi Cheryl, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great week!
IGsAndVeggies I love this recipe! It’s healthier without a cracker topping and doesn’t need it. I did add some cottage cheese with the others for even more protein and I had it on hand. Worked beautifully.
Hi Sandy, thanks so much, glad you like it and good idea with the cottage cheese. Take care!
thanks for this recipe Broccol cheese bakenwill cook for guest tonight let you know if they liked it
Hi Reba, thanks I hope you and your guests like it. Yes let me know. Take care.
Can I freeze this?
Hi Anthony, I have never frozen it but apparently you can if cooked be sure to freeze it when it is completely cooled and cover very well. You can also freeze it unbaked, bake it from frozen, it will need more time to bake. Hope this helps.
It does. Thanks!
Lovely but was it abit runny (watery) lovely tasting though!!
Hi Eric, thanks glad you liked it. Be sure to drain well and even towel dry the broccoli that will help. Take care!
I made this but I wish I hadn’t put egg in it. Will have have to make it again and leave the egg out as I wanted a runny cheesey sauce .
Hi Jane, ok that should work. 🙂
Did you try it without the egg and did it turn out right, Jane?
Delicious……I love it!!
Hi Laura, thanks so much, glad you like it. Take care.
I love that you make getting your recipes so easy. Can’t wait to try the ones I have saved.
Thank you!
Hi Shirley, thanks so much, I hope you enjoy them. Take care.
Can you make it the day before and refrigerate it until need to bake ?
Hi Debra, sure that would work, let me know how you like it. Have a great week.
Was absolutely deliciously. The flavor was amazing and the dish was just right. Huge fan of Gratin and this was just as good and not as Creamy that so it was beyond perfect. Tried it with other vegetables and love using Panko Breadcrumbs on top. Just a great recipe over all
Hi Alexander, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care.