Broccoli Au Gratin
Amy
- November 18, 2024
Broccoli au Gratin: The Ultimate Cheesy Side Dish
When it comes to side dishes, few things can beat the comforting, indulgent appeal of Broccoli au Gratin. This dish takes the humble broccoli and transforms it into a decadent treat, making it the perfect addition to any holiday spread or family dinner. With a rich, creamy cheese sauce and a crispy, golden breadcrumb topping, Broccoli au Gratin is a dish that everyone will want to come back for seconds of.
Why You’ll Love Broccoli au Gratin
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Cheesy Goodness: The combination of broccoli and cheese is always a winner, and when you bake it all together with a rich cheese sauce, the result is a creamy, cheesy delight that will satisfy any comfort food craving.
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Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or simply looking for a flavorful side to go with dinner, Broccoli au Gratin is versatile enough for any occasion. Its hearty, indulgent nature makes it ideal for both casual family meals and special celebrations.
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Kid-Friendly: If you’ve got picky eaters in the house, Broccoli au Gratin is a great way to get them to enjoy their vegetables. The creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this dish irresistible to kids and adults alike!
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Make-Ahead Friendly: One of the best things about Broccoli au Gratin is that you can prepare it ahead of time. You can assemble the dish, store it in the fridge, and simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve. This makes it a perfect option for busy holiday meal prep!
The Magic of Broccoli au Gratin
The magic of this dish lies in the combination of simple ingredients—broccoli, cheese, and breadcrumbs—that come together to create something truly special. The tender broccoli is smothered in a creamy, velvety cheese sauce, making it rich and satisfying. As it bakes in the oven, the cheese gets bubbly and golden, and the breadcrumb topping becomes perfectly crisp. The result is a side dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture, offering the best of both worlds: creamy and crunchy.
Customization Ideas
While Broccoli au Gratin is delicious as is, feel free to experiment with the recipe to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to add your personal touch:
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Add More Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add different types of cheese to the sauce, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or even cheddar for extra richness.
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Make It Spicy: A pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes in the cheese sauce can add a little heat to the dish, balancing the richness of the cheese with a spicy kick.
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Add Protein: For a heartier version of the dish, consider adding cooked chicken or ham to the broccoli mixture. This makes the dish more filling and can even turn it into a main course.
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Mix in Other Veggies: While broccoli is the star of this dish, you can easily add other vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, or carrots for added variety.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli au Gratin pairs beautifully with almost anything, from roast chicken and steak to holiday turkey. It’s the perfect side dish to balance out heavier meals with its light vegetable base and rich cheese sauce. For an extra touch of flavor, serve it alongside a fresh, crisp salad to cut through the richness of the gratin.
If you’re looking for a dish that’s both comforting and impressive, Broccoli au Gratin is the perfect choice. It’s simple enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner yet special enough to serve at your next holiday gathering. With its creamy, cheesy texture and crispy topping, it’s sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table.
Be sure to check out our YouTube video to see how to make this delicious dish step-by-step. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just your family, Broccoli au Gratin is a side dish that will make any meal feel festive and flavorful!
Featured in this video:
Broccoli Au Gratin
Recipe by AmyCourse: SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyBroccoli au Gratin is a creamy, cheesy side dish that takes your classic broccoli to the next level! Tender broccoli is smothered in a rich cheese sauce and baked to perfection with a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for any dinner or holiday meal.
Ingredients
3 cups broccoli, chopped
4 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons flour
2 Cups evaporated milk
Pepper, to taste
5 oz Romano cheese, grated
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Directions
- Prepare your broccoli, by chopping in bite size pieces. Set aside
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Once melted add in flour, stirring to remove any lumps. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the milk. Continuing stirring over low heat until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Add in pepper and 1/2 of the Romano cheese.
- Add raw broccoli to the pan, stir to combine.
- Pour cheese mixture into casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese and panko bread crumbs
- Bake at 375F for 25 minutes, until top has browned. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.