Loaded Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole Recipe
This Loaded Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole offers a delicious and creamy way to enjoy nutritious vegetables with a savory blend of cheeses, bacon, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a comforting side dish or a hearty vegetarian-friendly main (omit bacon).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Meat
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Vegetables: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower and broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still firm. Drain well and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the cooked cauliflower and broccoli, crumbled bacon, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the cheese mixture. Mix until the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top and, if using, add the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute bacon with vegetarian bacon to make it vegetarian.
- Panko breadcrumbs add a nice crunch but can be omitted for a gluten-free version.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and reheated before serving.
- To make it lower in fat, use reduced-fat cheeses and sour cream.
- Fresh broccoli and cauliflower can be substituted with frozen; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Keywords: Cauliflower casserole, Broccoli casserole, Loaded vegetable casserole, cheesy broccoli and cauliflower bake, bacon casserole, comfort food, side dish
