Description

Creamy Winter Vegetable Casserole is the coziest way to turn your fridge full of hearty vegetables into a bubbling, golden-topped masterpiece. It features roasted cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and a velvety homemade cheese sauce—all baked until perfectly tender and irresistibly cheesy. It’s the kind of dish that works as a holiday side or a full-on vegetarian comfort meal. Perfect for quick dinners, easy meal prep, and warm winter food ideas.

Ingredients

3 cups cauliflower florets

2 cups broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups sliced carrots

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided 1/2 cup in sauce + 1/2 cup on top)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes until just tender and slightly golden.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until thickened (about 4–5 minutes).

3. Add 1 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.

4. Reduce oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer roasted vegetables to a greased 9×13-inch dish. Pour cheese sauce over and gently toss.

5. Top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Make sure to roast the vegetables until lightly golden for the best flavor.

For extra protein, add shredded rotisserie chicken or white beans.

The cheese sauce can be made ahead and stored up to 2 days in the fridge.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
Calories: 310
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 410mg
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: winter casserole, creamy veggie casserole, vegetarian comfort food