Here’s a delicious and easy recipe for a Baked Cheesy Vegetable Casserole—healthy, creamy, and perfect for family meals:
🥦🧀 Baked Cheesy Vegetable Casserole
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- Mixed vegetables – 4 cups (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)
- Olive oil or butter – 2 tbsp
- Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
- All-purpose flour – 2 tbsp
- Milk – 1½ cups
- Salt & black pepper – to taste
- Paprika – ½ tsp (optional)
- Cheddar cheese – 1½ cups, shredded
- Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup, grated
- Bread crumbs – ¼ cup (optional, for topping)
- Fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) – for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash and chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces
- Steam or boil them for 5–7 minutes until slightly tender
- Drain and set aside
2. Make the Cheese Sauce
- Heat olive oil or butter in a saucepan
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux
- Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened
- Add ½–1 cup cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika
- Stir until cheese melts and sauce is creamy
3. Combine and Assemble
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
- In a baking dish, combine vegetables and cheese sauce
- Top with remaining cheddar, parmesan, and breadcrumbs (if using)
4. Bake
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden
- Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for a crispier top
5. Serve
- Garnish with fresh herbs
- Serve hot as a main dish or side dish
🔥 Tips for Best Results
- Mix your favorite vegetables for variety
- Use low-fat milk or cheese for a lighter version
- Add cooked chicken or ham for a protein boost
✅ Flavor Profile
- Creamy, cheesy, and slightly crispy on top
- Mildly savory with a hint of sweetness from vegetables
If you want, I can also give a quick 15-minute version that’s ready to bake directly without pre-steaming the vegetables—super fast and still cheesy.
