Description
Ina Garten’s broccoli casserole delivers comfort with creamy cheese sauce and crisp breadcrumb topping. Hearty side dishes from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen invite diners to savor classic American flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) broccoli, cut into small florets (about 8 cups)
- 1 cup (120 g) sharp cheddar, grated
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 3 tbsps (23 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt, plus extra as needed
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup (60 g) fresh bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F and generously grease an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- White Sauce Creation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour to form a smooth roux, then gradually incorporate cold milk while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
- Seasoning Sauce: Enhance the developing sauce with sea salt and nutmeg, cooking until it reaches a thick, smooth consistency that elegantly coats a spoon.
- Broccoli Preparation: Steam broccoli florets for 4-5 minutes, maintaining their vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture.
- Layering: Spread steamed broccoli evenly in the prepared baking dish, generously sprinkle half the cheese over the vegetables, then pour the velvety white sauce, ensuring it penetrates between the florets.
- Topping Construction: Combine melted butter with breadcrumbs, creating a golden, crispy coating that will add textural contrast to the creamy casserole.
- Baking Finale: Scatter the buttered breadcrumbs across the surface and bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges bubble and the top transforms into a light golden-brown crust, signaling perfect culinary completion.
Notes
- Butter Baking Dish Thoroughly: Ensures no sticking and helps create a clean, easy-to-serve casserole with perfect edges.
- Control Roux Consistency: Whisk flour into melted butter slowly to prevent lumps and create a smooth base for the white sauce.
- Steam Broccoli Carefully: Cook florets just until bright green and crisp-tender to maintain nutritional value and prevent mushiness.
- Monitor Baking Time Closely: Watch the casserole during the final minutes to achieve a golden-brown topping without burning, which can make the dish bitter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg