A vegetable casserole is a comforting and versatile dish that combines a variety of vegetables, often baked with a creamy sauce and topped with cheese or breadcrumbs for added flavor and texture. Here’s a simple recipe for a vegetable casserole:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or make your own sauce)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little oil or cooking spray.
- Cook Vegetables:
- In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for 3-5 minutes until they are just tender. Drain them and set them aside.
- Steam or blanch the green beans and corn for another 2-3 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup and milk, stirring until smooth and creamy. Add salt, pepper, and thyme (or rosemary) to taste.
- Combine Vegetables: In the prepared baking dish, combine all the blanched vegetables and pour the creamy sauce over them. Toss gently to mix everything evenly.
- Top with Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting vegetable casserole!
This casserole is a great side dish or even a vegetarian main course. You can customize it by adding your favorite vegetables, protein sources like beans or tofu, or different spices to make it your own!
