Here’s a hearty and versatile Vegetable Casserole recipe that’s perfect as a side or even a main dish. It’s packed with colorful vegetables, cheese, and a creamy sauce.
Ingredients (Serves 6-8)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of your choice)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup (or homemade béchamel)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for topping)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for crunchy topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Steam or lightly boil broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots until just tender (about 3–4 minutes).
- Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Add bell pepper and cook 2 more minutes.
- Mix the Casserole:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked vegetables, sautéed onion mixture, cream soup, milk, and half of the cheeses.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble:
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
- Optional: Mix breadcrumbs with a little olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese for a crunchy topping.
- Optional: Sprinkle paprika for color.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
💡 Tips:
- Swap in seasonal vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or mushrooms.
- Make it vegan by using plant-based cream soup and cheese alternatives.
- Add cooked quinoa or rice to make it more filling as a main dish.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute skillet version that avoids baking but still tastes like a casserole. That one is great for weeknights.
Do you want me to provide that version too?
