Description
Paula Deen’s Broccoli Bake brings comforting Southern charm to your dinner table. Creamy cheese sauce and tender broccoli combine with crispy breadcrumb topping for a delightful side dish that will make you crave seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups (1.25 pounds) broccoli florets
- 1 ¾ cups non-fat milk
- ½ cup freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Breading and Thickening Ingredients:
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup white whole wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter, divided
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 200°C / 400°F. Gently melt 15g / 1 tablespoon butter in a wide, deep cast iron skillet, then transfer the melted butter to a small mixing bowl and combine with Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, setting the mixture aside for later use.
- Create a boiling water bath in a large pot. Submerge the broccoli and cook until achieving a crisp-tender texture, approximately 3 minutes. Thoroughly drain the broccoli and reserve for subsequent steps.
- Return to the skillet and melt the remaining 30g / 2 tablespoons butter. Delicately sprinkle flour over the melted butter, whisking continuously for 1 minute until the mixture develops a golden hue and releases a nutty fragrance.
- Introduce milk gradually while maintaining constant whisking to prevent lump formation. Continue whisking for roughly 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and produces gentle bubbles. Incorporate garlic powder, salt, dry mustard, black pepper, and cayenne pepper for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Remove the skillet from heat and fold in cheddar cheese until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency. Gently fold the cooked broccoli into the cheese sauce, ensuring each floret is evenly coated.
- Distribute the broccoli and cheese mixture uniformly across the skillet. Sprinkle the reserved breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture over the top for a crisp texture. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the dish is thoroughly heated and the topping transforms into a golden-brown crust. For additional crispness, briefly expose the skillet to the broiler, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Allow the broccoli bake to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the flavors to settle and the sauce to slightly firm before serving.
Notes
- Prevent broccoli from turning soggy by blanching quickly for maximum crunch and vibrant green color.
- Create silky sauce by whisking flour and butter thoroughly, eliminating potential lumpy textures.
- Gradually stream milk while continuously stirring to maintain sauce’s smooth, velvety consistency.
- Elevate dish’s richness by grating cheese directly from fresh blocks, guaranteeing superior melting quality.
- Transform casserole’s appearance with strategic broiling, developing a golden, appetizing crust without burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 2958 kcal
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 4918.6mg
- Fat: 137.8g
- Saturated Fat: 82.6g
- Carbohydrates: 298.8g
- Fiber: 42.8g
- Protein: 132.4g
- Cholesterol: 376mg