Creamy Vegetable Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lbbroccoli florets
- 1 lbcauliflower florets
- ½ lbbaby carrots
- 3 tbspbutter
- 3 clovesgarlic
minced
- 2 tbspcornstarch
- 2 cheavy cream
- 1 ½ tspdried italian seasoning
- to tastesalt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tspchili powder
- ⅛ tspground nutmeg
- ¾ cshredded italian blend cheese
- 1 cpork rind panko crumbs)
for topping (you can also use regular panko crumbs or finely crushed crackers
Directions
- 1
Prep. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
Boil the vegetables. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Once it returns to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the veggies are fork-tender. Drain them well.
- 3
Make the cheese sauce. In the meantime, melt the butter in a large skillet, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a boil, whisking frequently until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- 4
Season the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, and shredded cheese. Whisk until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- 5
Assemble the casserole. Spread ½ cup of the cheese sauce on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Add the drained veggies, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat them with the sauce. Pour the remaining cheese sauce over the veggies and mix well. Sprinkle the top with the panko crumbs.
- 6
Bake. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20-23 minutes until it’s hot and bubbly.
- 7
Rest and serve. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes out of the oven, then taste the casserole for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. Serve and enjoy!
Creamy Vegetable Casserole
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 40 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Looking for the perfect, easy-to-make side dish that everyone will love? This Creamy Vegetable Casserole brings together vibrant broccoli, tender cauliflower, and sweet carrots in a rich, cheesy sauce, all topped with a satisfying crunch.
What makes this vegetable casserole truly stand out is its balance of textures and flavors. A luxurious heavy cream and Italian blend cheese sauce perfectly coats every vegetable, while the unique pork rind panko crumbs create an incredibly crispy, savory crust that's far from your average soggy casserole.
When you pull this out of the oven, expect a golden-brown top and a bubbling, aromatic interior. Each bite delivers tender-crisp vegetables bathed in a savory, cheesy sauce with hints of minced garlic, aromatic Italian seasoning, a subtle touch of chili powder, and a dash of nutmeg for depth. The contrasting crunch of the topping makes it an utterly satisfying experience, ideal for complementing any main course.
This versatile Creamy Vegetable Casserole is easy to adapt to your pantry or preferences. While pork rind panko crumbs provide a unique crispness, you can easily use regular panko crumbs or finely crushed crackers for the topping. Adjust the chili powder or Italian seasoning to your taste for a spicier or more herbaceous profile.
This easy vegetable casserole is the quintessential side dish, perfect for family dinners, holiday feasts, or any occasion where you want to add a comforting, crowd-pleasing vegetable to the table. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats or poultry.