Pioneer Woman Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole Recipe: Homestyle Magic!

A pioneer woman’s broccoli cauliflower casserole brings farm-fresh comfort straight to your dinner table.

Verdant florets and creamy textures mingle in a symphony of flavor that transforms simple vegetables into culinary magic.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of hearty greens and luxurious cheese.

Rustic yet refined, this dish bridges home cooking traditions with gourmet sensibilities.

Crisp vegetable edges soften under a golden-brown blanket of melted goodness.

Nutritious ingredients dance together, creating a side dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Pioneer Woman Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole: What You’ll Need

• Broccoli: Choose bright green, firm florets with tight clusters for peak freshness.
• Cauliflower: Select creamy white heads without brown spots or soft areas.

• Onions, Garlic: Pick firm, heavy onions without sprouts and garlic with tight, unbroken skin.

• Butter: Use unsalted, high-quality butter for rich, clean flavor.
• Flour: Select all-purpose white flour for smooth, consistent texture.
• Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium version to control salt levels.
• Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat variety for luxurious, velvety consistency.

• Monterey Jack Cheese: Select freshly grated cheese for best melting properties.
• Breadcrumbs: Pick fine, plain breadcrumbs for even coating.
• Paprika: Use sweet or smoked variety for gentle, warm undertones.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Seasoned Salt: Select freshly ground options for vibrant flavor profile.

Equipment Essentials for the Casserole

• Steamer or Pot: For perfectly steaming broccoli and cauliflower florets.
• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing onions, creating roux, and building creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and prevent lumps.
• Cheese Grater: For shredding Monterey Jack cheese evenly.
• Mixing Bowl: To combine breadcrumbs and melted butter.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise ingredient quantities.
• Baking Dish: 9×13 inch recommended for layering casserole.
• Cutting Board: For chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: To dice onions and mince garlic.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Oven: To bake casserole at 375°F (190°C).

Your Guide to Making the Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

• Prep Veggie Base

Steam broccoli and cauliflower until tender and vibrant. Drain and set aside, ensuring vegetables are fresh and crisp.

• Craft Flavor Foundation

Melt butter in skillet and sauté onions with garlic until soft and aromatic. Sprinkle flour over mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth base that eliminates raw flour taste.

• Develop Silky Sauce

Pour chicken broth into skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer sauce until it transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency. Blend in cream cheese until sauce becomes incredibly smooth and rich.

• Season and Enhance

Elevate sauce with carefully selected seasonings like salt, pepper, and a hint of paprika. Taste and adjust flavors to create a perfectly balanced profile that complements the vegetables.

• Layer and Assemble

Create delicious layers in baking dish by alternating vegetables, creamy sauce, and grated cheese. Top with buttery seasoned breadcrumbs for a crunchy, golden finish.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide casserole into preheated oven at 375°F. Bake until top turns a beautiful golden brown and edges bubble with deliciousness. Allow dish to rest briefly before serving, letting flavors meld and settle.

Variation Tips & Shortcuts for This Casserole

Mix up the classic recipe with these tasty twists and pro tips!

Replace broccoli and cauliflower with seasonal favorites like zucchini, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts for a fresh flavor profile.

Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or pepper jack to add unique depth and richness to the sauce.

Fold in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or ham to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Try alternative toppings like crushed crackers, sliced almonds, or panko breadcrumbs to create a more dynamic and textural eating experience.

How to Dish Out This Broccoli Cauliflower Favorite

• Serve with Protein Companions: Pair this creamy vegetable casserole with grilled chicken breast, roasted turkey, or baked fish for a complete and satisfying meal that balances the rich, cheesy flavors.
• Complement with Fresh Sides: Add a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting casserole texture.
• Create Brunch Brilliance: Transform this dish into a delightful brunch centerpiece by serving alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or ham slices for a hearty weekend gathering that impresses family and friends.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining guests with minimal last-minute cooking stress.

Casserole Storage + Meal Prep Tricks

• Preserve Fresh Flavor: Store leftover casserole in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Keep casserole refrigerated for 3-4 days, covering tightly with plastic wrap or sealed lid to prevent moisture loss and preserve creamy texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap casserole securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months for convenient make-ahead meal options. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated portions in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent breadcrumb topping from burning. Add splash of chicken broth if sauce appears dry to restore original creamy consistency.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Chrissy Teigen’s broccoli cauliflower casserole delivers comforting cheesy goodness with crunchy breadcrumb topping. Simple ingredients combine for a hearty side dish that brings warmth to family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 head broccoli, broken into small florets
• 1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese (or cheddar, cheddar-jack, parmesan)
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Butter for sautéing and melting over breadcrumbs
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Seasoned salt to taste
• Paprika to taste

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Steam broccoli and cauliflower florets until vibrant and slightly tender, ensuring they maintain a crisp texture and bright color.
2. Aromatic Base: In a skillet, sauté onions and garlic in butter until soft and translucent, releasing their rich, savory essence and creating a flavorful foundation for the sauce.
3. Roux Development: Dust flour over the sautéed aromatics, stirring thoroughly to create a smooth base that will thicken the sauce and eliminate any raw flour taste.
4. Sauce Building: Slowly incorporate chicken broth into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, consistent texture as the sauce gradually thickens.
5. Creamy Transformation: Blend in room-temperature cream cheese until fully melted, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce. Season with salt, black pepper, seasoned salt, and a hint of paprika to enhance the overall flavor profile.
6. Cheese and Topping Preparation: Grate Monterey Jack cheese and combine breadcrumbs with melted butter, ensuring an even coating that will create a crispy, golden topping.
7. Layering Process: Assemble the casserole by alternating layers of steamed vegetables, creamy sauce, and grated cheese, building depth and complexity of flavor with each stratum.
8. Baking Finale: Crown the casserole with buttered breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) until the surface turns golden brown and the interior becomes bubbling and irresistibly aromatic.

Notes

• Steaming Secrets: Steam vegetables just until vibrant and slightly tender to maintain crisp texture and prevent mushiness, which preserves nutrients and prevents overcooking.
• Flour Power: Cooking flour with onions and garlic eliminates raw flour taste and creates a richer, more developed flavor base for the creamy sauce.
• Cheese Selection: Choose a cheese that melts smoothly like Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar to enhance the casserole’s creamy consistency and add depth of flavor.
• Breadcrumb Brilliance: Ensure breadcrumbs are evenly coated with melted butter for a golden, crispy topping that adds delightful crunch and texture to the casserole.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 30mg