This Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is the ultimate comfort food and a hearty, crowd-pleasing side dish. It combines tender broccoli and cauliflower with a rich, homemade creamy cheese sauce—no canned soup required!
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday spreads, this dish pairs beautifully with juicy meatballs, steak, or even as a satisfying vegetarian main.
Love creamy veggie loaded recipes? Be sure to try Brussels sprouts and chicken broccoli casserole for more veggie-packed inspiration!
Jump To
- Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
- 🛒 Ingredients
- 🥘 How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
- Get Creative with Toppings
- 📋 Tips for Serving
- 👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make This Air Fryer Chicken Skewers Recipe
- 🍱 Storing and Reheating
- What to Serve With Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
- Variations and Substitutions
- More Tasty Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipes
- Did You Try This Recipe?
- 📖Recipe
- 🤷 Frequently Asked Questions
- 💬 Comments
Is This Casserole Dish Low-Carb?
YES, both broccoli and cauliflower are low-carb vegetables. They’re great choices for anyone following a low-carb or keto diet.
Cauliflower has about 2 grams of net carbs per ½ cup serving, and broccoli has around 3-4 grams of net carbs per ½ cup.
Plus, they’re high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them healthy options for many types of diets.
🛒 Ingredients
- Panko breadcrumbs - These create the perfect golden, crunchy topping that adds a satisfying texture to every bite.
- Broccoli florets - Fresh is best for crisp-tender results, but frozen works just as well, making this a year-round favorite.
- Cauliflower florets - Packed with nutrients, this veggie adds a hearty texture that balances beautifully with the broccoli.
- Milk - Use whole milk for a rich, creamy sauce or opt for low-fat to lighten things up while keeping it delicious.
- Cheddar cheese - The star of the dish! Mix some into the sauce for creaminess and sprinkle the rest on top for that melty, cheesy finish.
- Flour - Essential for thickening the sauce to coat the veggies in creamy goodness.
- Salt and black pepper - A simple seasoning duo that ties all the flavors together perfectly.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Check out these EASY step-by-step instructions with photos!
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 2-quart (or 9x9) baking dish.
- Cook the veggies: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for 2 minutes, then toss in the broccoli and cook another 2 minutes until both are tender-crisp. Drain well and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a deep skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in the milk. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.
- Add the flavor: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in cream cheese, paprika, garlic, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Mix in ¼ cup each of cheddar and mozzarella cheese until the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
- Assemble the casserole: Toss the broccoli and cauliflower in the cheese sauce, coating everything evenly. Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella, then finish with breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.
- Bake: Pop it in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let it cool slightly, then dig in!
Should I Bake the Casserole Covered or Uncovered?
Bake it uncovered to get that irresistible golden, crispy top.
Covering the dish traps steam, which could make the casserole soggy—no one wants that!
Get Creative with Toppings
Breadcrumbs are a classic choice, but why stop there?
Crushed crackers, cornflakes, or panko breadcrumbs add crunch, while crumbled bacon brings smoky goodness. Have fun experimenting with different textures and flavors!
📋 Tips for Serving
- Make it ahead - Prep the casserole up to a day before and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals!
- As a side dish - This casserole is the perfect match for roasted pork tenderloin, baked chicken, or any main dish that needs a comforting veggie boost.
👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make This Air Fryer Chicken Skewers Recipe
- 2 quart baking dish
- Pot for cooking veggies
- Mesh strainer
- Medium or large skillet
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
🍱 Storing and Reheating
- 🍱To Store. Let the casserole cool to room temperature before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days.
- 🥶Freezing. For longer storage, wrap the cooled casserole in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- 🔥To Reheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove any plastic wrap and cover the casserole with foil to keep the top from over-browning. Heat for 20-25 minutes, then uncover for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the topping.
What to Serve With Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
- Sides: Make it extra cozy by pairing the casserole with mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or fluffy rice pilaf. They soak up that cheesy sauce beautifully!
- Classic Pairing: Pair it with grilled chicken, roast turkey, or even a juicy steak. The creamy sauce complements hearty proteins perfectly.
- Light and Fresh: Serve with a crisp garden salad for a balanced meal. The tangy dressing cuts through the rich, cheesy flavors.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese: Switch up the cheese to change the flavor! Try Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese for a unique twist. Mixing a few cheeses together can make the dish even creamier and richer.
- Add Protein: For a heartier meal, stir in cooked chicken, crispy bacon, or tofu. This boosts the protein and turns it into a complete dish.
- Veggie Mix: Add extra veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or peas for more color and flavor. Just make sure the vegetables are tender but still have a bit of crunch.
- Spice it Up: If you enjoy some heat, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce. For a spicy kick, pepper jack cheese is a great choice!
- Gluten-Free Option: To make it gluten-free, swap the regular flour for a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping.
More Tasty Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipes
📖Recipe
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole with Broccoli
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup mozzarella, grated
- 1 pinch grated nutmeg
For Topping
- ½ cup mild cheddar or sharp, grated
- ½ cup mozzarella, grated
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 2-quart (or 9x9) baking dish.
- Cook the veggies: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for 2 minutes, then toss in the broccoli and cook another 2 minutes until both are tender-crisp. Drain well and set aside.4 cups cauliflower florets, 4 cups broccoli florets
- Make the sauce: In a deep skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour until smooth, then slowly whisk in the milk. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.3 tablespoons butter, 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Add the flavor: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in cream cheese, paprika, garlic, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Mix in ¼ cup each of cheddar and mozzarella cheese until the sauce is creamy and cheesy.3 ounces cream cheese, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup mozzarella, 1 pinch grated nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Assemble the casserole: Toss the broccoli and cauliflower in the cheese sauce, coating everything evenly. Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella, then finish with breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.½ cup mozzarella, 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, ½ cup mild cheddar or sharp
- Bake: Pop it in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let it cool slightly, then dig in!chopped parsley
Video
Notes
- To Store. Let the casserole cool to room temperature before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days.
- Freezing. For longer storage, wrap the cooled casserole in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- To Reheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove any plastic wrap and cover the casserole with foil to keep the top from over-browning. Heat for 20-25 minutes, then uncover for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the topping.
Nutrition
🤷 Frequently Asked Questions
Soaking cauliflower helps remove any dirt or hidden pests in the florets. A quick soak in salted water ensures your cauliflower is clean and ready for cooking.
Excess water from the cauliflower or overcooking can make your casserole watery. Be sure to drain the cooked cauliflower well and avoid overcooking it before mixing it into the sauce.
Mushy roasted cauliflower is usually a result of overcrowding the pan or roasting at too low a temperature. Spread the florets out in a single layer and roast at a high heat (around 400°F) for that perfect caramelized crunch.
Boost the flavor by adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, extra seasonings like garlic powder or paprika, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. A touch of mustard or a splash of Worcestershire sauce can also add depth to the dish.
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