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Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Bake

A vegetarian lovers paradise, this recipe is filled with your favourite veggies drenched in a rich, creamy cheese white sauce that is baked until gooey, golden and delicious. It is a simple and easy weeknight meal fit for anyone.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • Stock pot
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Casserole dish/oven safe dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium cauliflower head cut into small florets
  • 1 medium broccoli head cut into small florets
  • 1 cup frozen mixed veg corn, peas, carrot, beans
  • 3 cups water

Cheese white sauce:

  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 5 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups cooking liquid from the veggies
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180℃.
  • In a large stock pot add the cauliflower, broccoli florets and mixed frozen veg.
  • Pour in around 3 cups of water add 1/2 tsp salt and stir, bring this to a boil and cook the veggies until done around 4-5 minutes.
  • Strain out the liquid into a container and transfer the hot cooked veg into your casserole dish.
  • In the same stock pot add the butter and let it melt, sprinkle in the flour and whisk. Cook together until it is like a paste and the aroma resembles a biscuit around 2-3 minutes on low to medium heat.
  • Add the cooking liquid and whisk well to ensure there are no lumps. Add the milk, dried oregano and whisk again. Allow this to bubble and cook for 8-10 minutes on low to medium heat until thickened. The sauce should have the consistency of double cream, take if off the heat.
  • Add the cheese into the sauce and stir well until dissolved.
  • Pour the sauce over the veggies and briefly stir it together. Top with more mozzarella cheese and panko breadcrumbs, bake for 15 minutes with the top broiler on or until you have achieved that golden brown top. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Do not throw the cooking liquid away as it has all the flavor we need to make the cheese sauce.
  • The breadcrumb topping adds a delicious crunch to the casserole once baked.
  • You can use any combination of veggies you like.