Hearty Veggie Casserole

Absolutely! A Hearty Veggie Casserole is cozy, filling, and perfect as a main or a side — packed with colorful vegetables, baked in a savory, cheesy, or saucy base. Ideal for meatless Mondays, potlucks, or prepping ahead for busy nights.

🥦🥕 Hearty Veggie Casserole

🕒 Time: ~1 hour
🍽 Serves: 6–8
🧊 Freezer-friendly & customizable

🧾 Ingredients:

Vegetables (use what you like, aim for 6–7 cups total):

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• 1 cup cauliflower florets

• 1 large carrot, sliced thin

• 1 zucchini, chopped

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or thyme

Creamy Sauce Base (or use marinara for a red version):

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1½ cups milk (or plant-based milk)

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or vegan cheese)

• Salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 can (15 oz) white beans or chickpeas (for protein)

• 1 cup cooked quinoa, rice, or pasta

• ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess

Topping:

• ½–1 cup shredded cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with olive oil or melted butter

• (Optional) sprinkle of Parmesan

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.

Grease a medium-sized baking dish (9×13-inch or similar).

2. Sauté veggies:

• In a large pan, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic, cook 2–3 minutes.

• Add the rest of the chopped vegetables and sauté 5–7 minutes until softened but not mushy.

• Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.

3. Make the creamy sauce:

• In a saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in flour to make a roux.

• Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

• Simmer until slightly thickened (~3–4 min).

• Stir in cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Adjust to taste.

4. Assemble the casserole:

• Combine sautéed veggies (and beans/grains, if using) with the cheese sauce.

• Pour into baking dish and smooth the top.

5. Add topping:

• Sprinkle with shredded cheese or breadcrumb mixture.

6. Bake:

• Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

• Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

🌀 Variations:

• Vegan? Use plant milk, vegan cheese, and dairy-free butter.

• Gluten-free? Sub cornstarch for flour or use a GF thickener.

• Spicy? Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne to the sauce.

• Extra filling? Add cooked lentils or a layer of mashed potatoes on top for a veggie shepherd’s pie twist.