Here is a special Mouth Watering Mondays. This recipe I shared on BonBon Break a while back and now I have it for you here today. It is one of my favorite casseroles and it is so quick and easy to make Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Bake.
The cheese sauce is created on its own in the casserole. You just cut up cubes of cheese and viola, it couldn’t be easier!! This is great comfort food for Thanksgiving or the holidays!! Also, try our Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, Cheese Sauce Recipe or Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole too!
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There is no need to make a cheese sauce in advance for this recipe. This is the only time I have used Velveeta in baking and I have to say it works great and the cheese is melted perfectly with no effort. Camembert and Velveeta are diced and added to the veggies, it is as easy as that to make a sauce.
I love broccoli and cauliflower together. It is also one of the best casserole recipes we make.
Maybe not the healthiest of choices but “everything in moderation, including moderation,” said Julia Child. You can make your own cheese sauce but for little effort, this dish makes its own sauce. If it is for the holidays then you can splurge a little!
But there are lots to love about this recipe! Perfectly done veggies that are first blanched for 3 min. and then shocked in cold water. This technique ensures that they keep their color and texture.
Then a cheese sauce that is created on its own in the oven. Lastly, a slightly spicy, crunchy gorgeous crumb mixture is mixed up in a small bowl and the perfect finish to this great dish.
Potluck Perfection
I have brought this dish to a few potlucks and it completely has disappeared. Everyone loves a casserole like this and if you use gluten-free panko crumbs or bread crumbs even more people can enjoy it.
Besides salt and pepper, for the topping, there are some other interesting ingredients that make this recipe stand out. Read the recipe to find out more!!
This dish goes with turkey, ham, roast beef and even fish. It can be easily made as a weekday casserole as it can be special for the holidays too!
It is completely portable and just needs to be popped into a preheated oven.
This dish is nice also because it is just vegetables and doesn’t include rice which I find to sometimes be too filling with a big dinner.
This makes a small 8×11″ baking dish but you can easily double it for a larger crowd. A side dish that is easy to make and serves a crowd is a win, win!!
Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb. broccoli florets and 1 lb. cauliflower florets
- 1 cup gluten free panko crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese cubed
- 1/4 lb. Camembert cheese cubed
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the broccoli and cauliflower for 3 min.
- Drain and place immediately in ice water. Drain again and place it on paper towels to dry.
- In a small bowl, add the panko crumbs, butter, thyme, oregano, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 450F. In a medium-sized casserole dish (8×11") sprayed with cooking spray, add the broccoli, cauliflower, Velveeta and Camembert. Top with the panko crumb mixture. Wrap with foil and bake for 15-20 min.
- Remove the foil in the last 5 minutes to brown the topping. Let rest 5 min. before serving.
Comments & Reviews
V says
Can the Velveeta be substituted and if so, for what? Thanks.
Tara Noland says
You make a traditional cheese sauce instead of the Velveeta.
V says
Sorry, but I’m the type of cook that literally follows instructions word for word. What’s a “traditional cheese sauce”? Thanks.
Tara Noland says
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cheesesauce_1299 Here is an example. I make mine using 2 Tbsp. butter, 2 Tbsp. flour, 1 cup milk and 1 cup aged cheddar. You can add a small pinch of cayenne to this and white pepper. Hope this helps.
Ann Reda says
Can this be done in a crockpot?. Thx. Ann
Tara Noland says
Good question, I have no idea as I have never done that before. If you are making it for Christmas I would do a trial run for sure.
Kara says
Do you make your gluten free Pablo bread crumbs or buy them somewhere?
Tara Noland says
You can buy GF panko bread crumbs.
Jess says
made this for ChrisTMAS today and just had a taste and omg it’s SO good. By the way I used light havarti and it’s perfect
Noshing with the Nolands says
Havarti would be great too for sure!! Merry Christmas!!
Shawn says
How well do you think gouda would do?
Tara Noland says
Hmmm, not sure, both of these are very soft cheeses but you could try. The Velveeta makes a sauce on its own.
Judith says
I haven’t seen Velveeta in my supermarket for years! Is it still available?
Tara Noland says
I don’t use Velveeta very often but it is still available.
Alison says
How much of this can be done a day ahead?? I’m making this for Christmas Eve dinner and want to get a head start. Thanks!
Noshing with the Nolands says
You can have your topping made and in a container, your veggies prepped and your cheese cubed.
anna says
can I use brie cheese instead of Camembert
Noshing with the Nolands says
You sure can!
jaclyn says
Also, I am pregnant and cannot use camembert cheese. Any substitute suggestions?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I would put in something that melts easily also like a havarti.
jaclyn says
Can you use frozen vegetables? If so, how does that change the directions?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I would blanch them until just hot through, like 2 min.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This is MY kind of casserole full of buttery cheesy vegetably goodness. Okay maybe vegetably isn’t a word -YET. 🙂
Cheri says
Can you freeze this dish? If you can, how long would you reheat? I don’t want to have to do any cooking Christmas Eve, but, don’t mind throwing something in the oven to heat it up. This sounds “yummy”.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I freeze a lot of things but I don’t think this one would fair as well as others. I would have everything prepped and ready for it. Get ready the panko topping in a little bowl and set aside, covered. The broccoli and cauliflower washed, chopped and in a bag. You could even prep the cheese and then toss it together quickly on Christmas Day.
Renee says
I’m a vegetarian & are always looking fir new & yummy recipes. I love broccoli & cauliflower together, especially roasted together. I think even my meat eating gusband would eat this. Thanks so much
for this recipe. Can’t wait to try this soon.
carla wilkins says
What is Camembert?
Noshing with the Nolands says
Camembert is a cheese similar to Brie, should be able to find it in any grocery store.
Talina says
Can’t wait to try this for my Xmas eve dinner!! How much does it serve? I have 10 people to feed. Also, what size casserole dish, 9×13?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I added more details to the recipe. Just up the ingredients a bit more for a 9×13″ pan. Total of 3 lbs. of veggies and more cubed cheese. Add a 1 1/2 cups panko and you should be good to go!! 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This is MY kind of casserole full of buttery cheesy vegetably goodness. Okay maybe vegetably isn’t a word -YET. 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
LOL, thanks Maureen!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
What a gorgeous dish Tara!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you Serena!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
My idea of a perfect dish! Love this!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you Patricia!
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
I totally get it if it disappeared so quickly. It just so good and the combination are amazing.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much Linda!
Susie Gall says
Oh yeah!!! This recipe looks perfect actually! Great job!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much Susie, it is so easy!!
Nisa Homey says
Tara, these are absolutely yummy! cant wait to try this.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Nisa!
Nisa Homey says
Tara, these are absolutely yummy! cant wait to try this.