My very favorite Broccoli au Gratin Casserole. It is always popular with family and friends. The broccoli gratin side side is requested every year for Thanksgiving.
Cheesy Broccoli
One of the most popular dishes I make each Thanksgiving is this yummy Broccoli Au Gratin Casserole. It is actually an easy dish to make from scratch. It’s such a quick recipe to prepare too.
Broccoli gratin is one of my favorite meatless dishes or and a popular comfort food side dish. It’s so convenient to have on hand during the hectic school week. If you know how to mix ingredients together and bake it, then you can make this. There are three parts to this casserole: the broccoli, the cheese sauce, and the crunchy browned bread crumb topping.
Cheese Sauce from Scratch
It’s so easy to make your own! It is a great way to avoid the chemicals and preservatives that are in lots of canned or box cheese sauces too.
I assure you, after making it a couple of times, you won’t bother with the canned or powdered stuff again.
You can use this sauce on homemade macaroni and cheese too or pour over sautéed vegetables. It’s perfect.
How To Make Broccoli Au Gratin Casserole
Let’s make the casserole! I have step-by-step instructions with pictures for you here, or jump down to the printable recipe card if you prefer.
Ingredients:
- Broccoli Florets
- Butter
- Panko bread crumbs
- Garlic
- Milk
- Flour
- Chicken stock
- Salt and black pepper
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Preparing
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. F.
Steam the broccoli. Fresh broccoli can be placed in a glass bowl with a little water. Cover the top with plastic wrap and microwave for about 5 minutes, until crisp tender. Drain and assemble in the baking dish.
Mix half the softened butter in with the Panko crumbs to make a topping. Set aside.
Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook about one minute to soften. Reduce heat to medium.
Add milk, flour and base to the pan. Whisk well, while you cook, stirring constantly so it won’t burn or clump. Cooking until the sauce readily coats the back of a spoon.
Take the sauce off the burner and stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the broccoli florets. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese then the bread crumbs.
Bake for 20 minutes to 25 minutes. Until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Serve this broccoli casserole with anything from Blackened Salmon or pork chops to your favorite kielbasa recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter or spread
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp chicken or vegetable base preferably msg free
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbs. butter or spread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat an 8 x 8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray (optional step that makes clean up easier).
- Place the florets in a glass or ceramic bowl, add the 1/4 cup of water, cover with plastic wrap and steam in the microwave for 5 minutes, then drain the broccoli, and arrange in a 2 qt casserole dish (I usually use an 8x8).
- Prepare the topping for the casserole, by mixing half of the butter/spread into the Panko crumbs. Set aside.
- While the broccoli is steaming, melt the remaining butter in saucepan over med-high heat. Once melted add garlic and stir.
- After the garlic is cooked through and soft (only takes about a minute), add milk, flour and base. Whisk well, and continue to whisk frequently. Cooking until the sauce readily coats the back of a spoon (see image).
- Remove the sauce from burner, then add 1/2 the cheese. Stir until cheese is melted, add salt and pepper to taste. Then pour over the broccoli evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole, then evenly cover with topping.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes, until the panko crumbs are golden brown.
Nutrition
Kathleen says
This looks incredible. I love broccoli, but broccoli smothered in cheese can’t be beat.
Theresa says
Oh my goodness this looks yummy.
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
It’s crazy that we are thinking Thanksgiving but it’s right around the corner. This does look like a perfect side dish.
Colleen says
My daughter and I both LOVE broccoli and cheese and this would be something yummy that we would enjoy together.
Jennifer says
I’ve never heard of Au Gratin without potatoes. I thought that’s what makes it an “Au Gratin”, lol. Interesting but yet this sounds so delicious
courtney says
This is my kind of casserole! Hubby doesn’t like broccoli unless it’s covered with cheese – looks like it’s perfect for us both 🙂
Stefanie says
Oh yum… this looks delicious!
HilLesha says
I love casseroles and this one looks very easy to make. 🙂
Angela says
This looks super yummy and is something my family would enjoy!
Marcie W. says
I really love incorporating casseroles into my meal plans since they are both delicious and easy! I think the panko on top would give this dish the perfect crunch.
Crystal says
Yum, broccoli and cheese! Delicious.
Lolo says
This broccoli gratin was so good! I’ll be baking another soon.
Alison says
This was amazing!! I walked away and the baking dish was nearly empty 40 mins later!
Tricia says
My son actually ate a vegetable. I will be serving this on Thanksgiving!
Shell Feis says
Adding this recipe to my meal plan for next week!