Looking for a cheesy way to get your broccoli and cauliflower in? This Broccoli and Cauli Bake is creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor. With tender broccoli-cauliflower combined in a rich, cheesy casserole, it makes the perfect cozy side dish for any meal.
One chilly evening, I saw just a lonely head of broccoli and a small cauliflower, leftovers from two different meals. I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I chopped them up, tossed them with a bit of cheese and seasoning, and baked them together. The result was so comforting and delicious that now my kids ask for “the cozy veggie bake” every week like it’s a family tradition.
A Perfect Veggie Side Dish
This dish is a great way to enjoy more veggies without feeling like you’re missing out. It pairs well with almost any main course, such as stuffed zucchini boats or grilled stuffed bell peppers, and is filling on its own as well.
Broccoli Cauliflower Combo
Broccoli and cauliflower go so well together. They cook evenly and have a mild flavor that soaks up seasoning. Together, they make a creamy, tender, and tasty bake. Recipes like rice cauliflower, cauliflower coconut rice, and oven-baked rice cauliflower absorb flavors from dishes that are paired with them.
Do I Need to Roast Broccoli and Cauliflower
You don’t have to roast them first, but roasting adds a deeper flavor. If you have time, roasting before baking gives a crisp texture and rich taste. Roasted or not, this recipe still gives that burst of flavor that you will always look for.
How To Make the Best Broccoli and Cauliflower Bake
Broccoli and cauliflower bake is a warm, cheesy dish that brings comfort and flavor to the table. This easy recipe turns simple veggies into a creamy, oven-baked favorite the whole family will love.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Sauce Pan: Use this to melt butter, make your creamy cheese sauce, or lightly cook ingredients on the stovetop. It’s a must-have for preparing the flavorful base of your bake.
- Casserole Dish: Where you will place your creamy, cheesy bake, perfect for oven use and serving.
- Wooden Spatula: Great for stirring your cheese sauce and folding everything together gently.
Ingredients:
- Broccoli: Adds color, crunch, and loads of flavor to the dish.
- Cauliflower: Balances the broccoli with its mild, creamy texture once baked.
- Bacon: Crispy, salty bites of bacon bring extra flavor to every forkful.
- Butter: Used for the sauce and cracker topping, rich and essential for flavor.
- Shredded Mild Cheddar: Melts beautifully into a creamy sauce that coats the veggies.
- Whole Milk: Helps create a smooth, luscious cheese sauce.
- Buttery Crackers: Crushed on top for a golden, crispy, buttery crunch.
- Cream Cheese: Makes the sauce even creamier and adds a tangy note.
- Garlic Cloves: Infuses the dish with a savory, aromatic depth.
- Sea Salt: Essential seasoning that sharpens all the flavors.
- Cayenne: Adds a tiny spark of heat; adjust to your liking.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings a smoky, earthy warmth that complements the cheese and bacon.
- Zest from Lemon: Brightens the whole dish with a fresh citrus lift at the end.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR BROCCOLI-CAULIFLOWER RECIPE
First Step: Get Ingredients Ready
Start by chopping the broccoli into small florets and breaking the cauliflower into similar-sized pieces. Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower. Drain everything well and set aside to dry while you prep the rest. Preheat oven to 375°Fahrenheit (90°Celsius).
Second Step: Cook Bacon
In a large Dutch oven or deep pan, cook the chopped bacon slices over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and chop into small pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot for extra flavor.
Third Step: Stir Flavorings in Pan
To the bacon fat in the pot, add butter and melt over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, and sea salt until fragrant. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the mixture warms up and slightly thickens.
Fourth Step: Crush Crackers
Crush the buttery crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by sealing them in a bag and rolling with a pin. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and smoked paprika. This will be your crispy topping.
Fifth Step: Make Creamy Sauce
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese cubes and shredded cheddar. Mix until smooth and melty, with no lumps of cheese left. Add the drained broccoli, cauliflower, and chopped bacon into the cheesy mixture and fold until everything is evenly coated.
Sixth Step: Assemble the Bake
Get a baking dish and pour in the veggie and cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the cracker crumb topping all over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 375°Fahrenheit (90°Celsius) for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 20–25 minutes more until golden and bubbling.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Cut broccoli and cauliflower florets evenly: Make sure the broccoli and cauliflower pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly. This prevents some pieces from becoming too mushy while others remain too firm.
- Steam or blanch first: Lightly steaming or blanching the veggies before baking helps soften them without overcooking. This also shortens the baking time and keeps the texture just right.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: The bake can taste bland without enough seasoning. Add black pepper, onion powder, or a sprinkle of paprika to bring out the flavors.
- Top with cheese or crumbs: A cheesy layer or crunchy topping adds texture and extra flavor. You can grate Parmesan to add more cheesy flavor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With Cauliflower and Broccoli Bake?
This veggie bake pairs well with meats like chicken roll-ups or pork scotch fillet. It also goes great with pickled watermelon rind or a simple protein salad dinner. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside a fresh salad with blue cheese dressing, tomato and veggie salad, kale salad or white rice.
Let the dish cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm all the way through.
Can I Freeze Cheesy Bake?
Yes, you can freeze this cheesy broccoli and cauliflower bake. Place it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.
More Clean Eating Recipes
Want more clean-eating ideas? Try making dehydrated cucumbers for a light and crunchy snack. If you love wraps, gluten free wraps are great for easy lunches and don’t feel heavy.
You can also make a flavorful curry chicken that’s full of spices but still clean and wholesome. These recipes are simple to make and perfect for meal prep. They’re all tasty ways to stay on track with your clean eating goals.
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Broccoli and Cauli Bake
Equipment
- 1 Sauce Pan
- 1 Wooden Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 Pieces Medium Crowns Broccoli chopped (5 cups)
- 1 Piece Medium Head Cauliflower broken into small pieces (5 cups)
- 6 Slices Bacon cut into pieces
- 4 Tablespoons Butter divided
- 2 Cups Mild Cheddar shredded
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
- 2 Cups Buttery Crackers like Ritz, crushed
- 4 Ounce Cream Cheese softened and cubed
- 2 Pieces garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
Instructions
- Start by chopping the broccoli into small florets and breaking the cauliflower into similar-sized pieces. Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower. Drain everything well and set aside to dry while you prep the rest. Preheat oven to 375°Fahrenheit (90°Celsius).
- In a large Dutch oven or deep pan, cook the chopped bacon slices over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and chop into small pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot for extra flavor.
- To the bacon fat in the pot, add butter and melt over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon zest, and sea salt until fragrant. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the mixture warms up and slightly thickens.
- Crush the buttery crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by sealing them in a bag and rolling with a pin. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and smoked paprika. This will be your crispy topping.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese cubes and shredded cheddar. Mix until smooth and melty, with no lumps of cheese left. Add the drained broccoli, cauliflower, and chopped bacon into the cheesy mixture and fold until everything is evenly coated.
- Get a baking dish and pour in the veggie and cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the cracker crumb topping all over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 375°Fahrenheit (90°Celsius) for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 20–25 minutes more until golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Cut broccoli and cauliflower florets evenly: Make sure the broccoli and cauliflower pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly. This prevents some pieces from becoming too mushy while others remain too firm.
- Steam or blanch first: Lightly steaming or blanching the veggies before baking helps soften them without overcooking. This also shortens the baking time and keeps the texture just right.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: The bake can taste bland without enough seasoning. Add black pepper, onion powder, or a sprinkle of paprika to bring out the flavors.
- Top with cheese or crumbs: A cheesy layer or crunchy topping adds texture and extra flavor. You can grate Parmesan to add more cheesy flavor.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
other cauli recipes
Explore other cauliflower recipes that are simple, tasty, and flexible. From cheesy bakes to crispy bites and rice alternatives, there’s a cauliflower dish for every craving.
