Description
Broccoli Cheddar Squash Casserole delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen, blending creamy cheese with garden-fresh vegetables in a way that makes dinner feel like a warm hug. Baked until golden and bubbling, this hearty dish turns ordinary ingredients into something memorable that keeps your family coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head broccoli
- 2 medium yellow squash
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and grab a large baking dish.
- Steam broccoli florets for 3-5 minutes until they’re bright green and tender-crisp. Drain completely and set aside.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1 chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for another minute, releasing their aromatic flavor.
- Toss in 2 diced yellow squash and cook until they soften slightly, around 7-10 minutes.
- In a separate pan, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter. Sprinkle ¼ cup flour into the melted butter and whisk continuously for 1 minute to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly pour 2 cups milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts completely.
- Season the cheese sauce with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, stirring to combine.
- Transfer the cooked broccoli and squash into your baking dish. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the vegetables and gently mix.
- If you want extra crunch, sprinkle ¼ cup breadcrumbs across the top of the casserole.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges bubble.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving, letting the flavors settle and the sauce set slightly.
Notes
- Steam broccoli just until bright green and crisp-tender to preserve nutrients and prevent mushiness.
- Shred cheese fresh from a block for smoother melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Use whole milk for a creamier sauce, but low-fat works if watching calories.
- For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 16-21 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg