This delicious, cheesy Broccoli Au Gratin recipe combines tender broccoli florets tossed in a creamy cheese sauce, then topped with a crunchy breadcrumb and Parmesan topping! This cheesy broccoli casserole makes a great holiday side dish or an easy side for chicken, pork chops or steak!
1 1/2cupsgrated cheeseSee Note 1. Sharp white cheddar, mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese all work well!
1tspdijon mustard
1lb.fresh broccoli floretsabout 2 medium heads of broccoli
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
1/2cupdried bread crumbsRitz crackers, cheese crackers (like Cheese Its) or french fried onions are also perfect!
1/2cupParmesan cheese, grated or shavedor use your favorite cheese!
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 (or similar) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Begin the Sauce: In a large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring until softened (about 2-3 minutes). To the same pan, add butter and stir until melted. Sprinkle flour into the pan and stir until well-combined. Cook for one minute stirring continuously.
Add Liquid: Pour in the chicken broth and milk a little at a time, whisking well between each addition. Continue whisking until all of the broth and milk have been added and the sauce thickens. You will know when the sauce is thick enough when it coats the back of a wooden spoon.
Add Cheese & Broccoli: Add the grated cheese and Dijon mustard and stir until well combined. Season salt and pepper to taste. Then, stir in the broccoli florets, tossing to coat with the creamy sauce!
Bake: Transfer broccoli mixture to your prepared 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle breadcrumbs (or Ritz crackers/cheese crackers/fried onions) and Parmesan cheese over the top of the broccoli. COVER with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly. Optional: For a super crunchy topping, broil for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
Note 1: I HIGHLY recommend grating your own cheese, fresh off the block vs. using bagged, pre shredded cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts soooo much better into the cheese sauce!Cheese OptionsHonestly, you can go wrong with cheese choices for this dish! Use your favorites or a combination of all of your faves! Sharp white cheddar, mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese are some great cheeses that melt well. I love the "nuttiness" from Parmesan cheese for the topping, but feel free to use whatever you like!Make Ahead InstructionsAssemble the casserole as outlined in steps 1-4 above. Cover tightly with foil and place in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. When you are ready to bake, bring casserole to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before placing in the oven and baking per the recipe!