Broccoli Cheese Casserole
(from SallyV’s recipe box)
This would make a great side dish for holiday dinners or pot lucks.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Serves 8 people
Categories: Side Dish
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread, cubed
- 1 T. butter, melted
- 2 C. broccoli florets
- Salt
- 3 T. unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 t. dry mustard
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 3 T. flour
- 1 1/2 C. whole milk
- 1 C. chicken broth
- 2 C. colby, grated
- 1 C. sharp Cheddar, grated
- Freshly ground pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a 9×13” baking pan or shallow casserole dish of a similar size with cooking spray.
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Topping: In a food processer, combine bread and butter and pulse until coarsely ground, about six 1-second pulses; set aside.
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Filling: Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add broccoli and 1 tablespoon salt, cover and cook until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain broccoli; set aside.
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Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, mustard and cayenne; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and cook, stirring occasionally, until flour turns golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in Colby and Cheddar cheeses. (See note.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Spread broccoli in prepared baking pan. Whisk cheese sauce again briefly and pour over broccoli. Sprinkle with bread-crumb topping. Bake until golden brown and bubbling around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for 5 minutes and serve
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Note: For a variation, add a jar of diced pimentos, drained, after stirring in the Colby and Cheddar cheeses.