If you love comfort food that feels both cozy and elegant, you’re in for a treat with this Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe. It combines tender steamed broccoli with a luscious, cheesy sauce that’s perfectly spiced, then it’s topped with irresistibly crispy onions and crunchy croutons for texture that sings. Every bite is a delightful balance of creamy richness and satisfying crunch, making it a standout side dish that will quickly earn a spot on your favorite recipes list.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples and fresh produce that each play a crucial role in creating the rich, creamy goodness and delightful textures in this dish. Together, they build layers of flavor and that classic gratin appeal we all adore.
- Broccoli florets (2 pounds): Fresh or frozen, they provide the vibrant green base and healthy bite.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Adds a silky richness essential for the roux and greasing the dish.
- All-purpose flour (3 tablespoons): Thickens the sauce to the perfect creamy consistency.
- Whole milk (1 1/2 cups): Creates the smooth, luscious cheese sauce.
- Sea salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon): Offers a subtle, savory depth to the sauce.
- Onion powder (1/4 teaspoon): Boosts the onion flavor to complement the crispy topping.
- Ground nutmeg (1/8 teaspoon): Adds a warm, unexpected hint that pairs beautifully with cheese.
- Sharp cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups): The star ingredient that makes the gratin irresistibly cheesy.
- French fried onions (1/2 cup): Provide that addictive crunch and golden topping.
- Crumbled croutons (1/2 cup): Adds extra texture and a toasty finish to your gratin.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish
Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Greasing your baking dish with butter or cooking spray is key—it keeps the gratin from sticking and helps everything brown beautifully on the edges.
Step 2: Steam the Broccoli
Steam your broccoli until just crisp-tender—fresh florets take about 5 minutes, while frozen need about 10. This ensures the broccoli is cooked through but retains a little bite, which is essential for balancing the creamy sauce and crunchy topping.
Step 3: Create the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in the flour to form a roux, cooking it for about a minute to avoid any raw flour taste. Slowly add the milk while whisking constantly so your sauce stays silky smooth. Stir in salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and nutmeg, then bring to a boil and cook until thickened—this is your flavorful foundation. Off heat, fold in the shredded sharp cheddar until it melts into a glossy, cheesy dream.
Step 4: Combine Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
Pour your luscious cheese sauce evenly over the steamed broccoli in your prepared baking dish. This step is all about coating every floret with cheesy goodness, the heart of the Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe.
Step 5: Top with Crispy Crunch
Sprinkle French fried onions and crumbled croutons over the top. These toppings are what set this gratin apart—they add that crave-worthy crunch you’ll be excited to dig into, making every bite texturally satisfying.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your gratin for 30 minutes until it’s bubbly and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown. If you notice it browning too rapidly, tent it with foil to prevent burning while the interior finishes cooking.
Step 7: Rest and Enjoy!
After removing from the oven, let your Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe rest for 5 minutes before serving. This little pause helps everything settle and develop flavors even more, making it taste even better.
How to Serve Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives adds a fresh, bright note that contrasts beautifully with the rich cheese sauce. A light drizzle of extra melted butter on top can boost the indulgence factor without overpowering the dish’s natural flavors.
Side Dishes
This gratin pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like chicken or beef, or balances out a vegetarian meal as a comforting, cheesy centerpiece. It’s also fantastic alongside a crisp green salad to add freshness and lighten up your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try making mini individual gratins in ramekins for a stunning presentation at dinner parties. Layer the ingredients with some cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms for added variety and flair—your guests will be impressed by this cozy twist on a classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling completely, store your Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making leftovers just as enjoyable as fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze the gratin before baking; just assemble it, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake it straight from the freezer, adding extra time to the cooking process to ensure it’s heated through.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes, to keep the crispy onions from burning while melting the cheese sauce back to perfection.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen broccoli works well here. Just steam it a bit longer to get it tender before adding the cheese sauce for the best texture.
What type of cheddar cheese is best?
Sharp cheddar gives this gratin its signature bold flavor, but feel free to experiment with extra-sharp or a mix of cheddar and Gruyère for a deeper, richer taste.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can use dairy-free milk alternatives and vegan cheeses, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor boost.
How do I keep the crispy onions crunchy after baking?
Add the fried onions towards the last 10 minutes of baking or sprinkle some fresh on top right before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness.
Is this gratin good served as a main dish?
While it shines as a side, you can easily turn this into a main by adding cooked chicken pieces or tossing in toasted nuts for extra protein and heartiness.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something incredibly satisfying about a warm, cheesy broccoli gratin topped with crispy onions, and this Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe truly captures that magic. Whether it’s for a holiday feast or a weeknight side, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles and seconds around your table. I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love just like I did!
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Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 side dish servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Broccoli Cheddar Gratin with Crispy Onions is a comforting and cheesy side dish featuring steamed broccoli smothered in a creamy cheddar sauce and topped with crunchy French fried onions and crumbled croutons. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, it serves 4 to 6 and makes a delicious accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
Broccoli
- 2 pounds (32 oz.) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups (8 oz.) grated sharp cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- 1/2 cup crumbled croutons
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
- Steam Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until they are crisp-tender—about 5 minutes if using fresh broccoli or 10 minutes if using frozen. Then, transfer the steamed broccoli evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil, cooking until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Broccoli and Sauce: Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the steamed broccoli in the baking dish, ensuring all florets are well coated with the cheesy mixture.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the French fried onions and crumbled croutons evenly over the top of the broccoli and cheese sauce for a crunchy, flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the gratin is bubbly. If the toppings brown too quickly, cover the gratin loosely with foil to prevent burning and continue baking until done.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the gratin from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly for easier serving. Enjoy your comforting broccoli cheddar gratin!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk.
- To add extra flavor, try mixing in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard with the cheese sauce.
- If French fried onions are unavailable, crushed fried shallots can be a good alternative for topping.
- Ensure broccoli is steamed to just crisp-tender to avoid overcooking during baking.
- The dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
