Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli Florets: 1.5 kg
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons
- All-Purpose Flour: 4 tablespoons
- Whole Milk: 3 cups
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups, shredded
- Gruyère Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Nutmeg: ¼ teaspoon
- Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: to taste
- Black Pepper: to taste
- Panko Breadcrumbs: 1 cup
- Unsalted Butter (for topping): 2 tablespoons, melted
- Garlic Powder (for topping): ½ teaspoon
- Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup, grated
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add fresh broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Immediately drain and, if desired, plunge into an ice bath for a minute before draining thoroughly. Spread the blanched broccoli evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a pale, golden paste forms. Slowly whisk in 3 cups of whole milk. Continue whisking constantly until the sauce thickens to a simmer, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup of shredded Gruyère cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the blanched broccoli in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together with a fork until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated and moist.
- Generously sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the cheese sauce in the baking dish. Place the dish on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Prepare for a culinary embrace that’s both comforting and irresistibly delicious! This Cheesy Broccoli Casserole is a triumph of creamy textures, tender broccoli florets, and a golden-brown, bubbly cheese topping that sings with savory goodness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American