This cheesy and creamy Broccoli Au Gratin is sure to be a favorite side dish at your next potluck or holiday dinner!
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Broccoli Au Gratin Recipe
I’ve never been a fan of plain broccoli… it has to be drowned in cheese, ranch dressing or in a casserole of some sort.
Creamy sauce is drizzled over crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with shredded cheddar cheese and crunchy bread crumbs to create the most ultimate broccoli side dish your guests will love!
I could (and did) eat it as a meal. What’s your favorite way to prepare broccoli?
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Broccoli Au Gratin
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1–½ cup whole milk
- 1–½ teaspoons salt
- â…› teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon pepper (more or less, to taste)
- 1 (26 ounce) bag frozen baby broccoli florets
- 1–½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish or spray with cooking spray.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Slowly add flour while whisking. Whisk until smooth. Continue to whisk constantly for 1 minute.
- Add the milk, salt and nutmeg. Continue to whisk constantly until mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally until the sauce is thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Add pepper and whisk again to combine. Remove sauce from heat and set aside.
- Prepare frozen broccoli florets according to package directions to cook them to a crisp-tender consistency. Drain broccoli florets in a colander.
- Place the broccoli in the greased casserole dish and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Evenly drizzle white sauce on top of the broccoli and cheese. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs. Bake (uncovered) until lightly browned and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.
Notes
Adapted from Food Network
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
This was excellent! I’ll make it again, I also don’t like plain brocoli. I crushed two cloves of garlic into the sauce and also added red pepper flakes, and omitted the nutmeg. Also used Panko for the topping.
★★★★★
Fantastic and easy recipe. It was so delicious we had to stop ourselves from eating the whole thing. Subbed Panko for the breadcrumbs and added Parmesan cheese for an additional cheesy crust.
★★★★★
A wonderful recipe! Tastes great and is easy to prepare.
★★★★★
Do you cook the broccoli prior to combining all ingredients to put in the oven? Or are you adding the broccoli FROZEN to the casserole dish and then baking for 20 min as written?
Hi Casey, #5 in the directions state, “Prepare frozen broccoli florets according to package directions to cook them to a crisp-tender consistency. Drain broccoli florets in a colander.” before adding the other ingredients, so yes, you would cook them prior to baking with the other ingredients. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Do you think if I prepped this two days before Xmas I could then stick it in the oven on Christmas Day?
I wouldn’t recommend it, although I’ve never tried it. Good luck and Merry Christmas!
I think you could. The sauce and broccoli are already cooked. I just prepped mine to bake tonight.
Oooh, LOVE anything au gratin. Pinning this beautiful dish to try soon.
Love gratins! This broccoli version looks incredibly comforting and delicious – definitely craving some of it right now!
Thanks so much, Thalia. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!