Cheesy Cauliflower and Broccoli Bake: Creamy Oven Casserole

Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese is an ideal side to serve with a roast beef dinner — a match made in dinner heaven.

This creamy, cheesy bake takes the classic cauliflower cheese up a notch by adding broccoli for extra flavour and texture.

The rich cheese sauce blends beautifully with roast gravy, making it a perfect accompaniment to a hearty roast. It’s straightforward to prepare and can be made ahead if needed.

If you’d like, assemble the dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.

Equipment Needed

• Large saucepan with lid – to cook the broccoli and cauliflower
• Smaller saucepan – to make the cheese sauce
• Wooden spoon
• Teaspoon
• Weighing scales
• Measuring jug
• Grater
• Ovenproof dish

Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty vegetable side dish.

For the vegetables

• Small head of cauliflower
• Small head of broccoli

Cook’s note: you can use frozen cauliflower and broccoli (about 600g). Follow packet instructions and only use frozen veg if you plan to eat the dish straight away.

For the cheese sauce

• 50g butter
• 4 tbsp plain flour
• 500ml milk
• 150g Cheddar cheese, grated (reserve some for topping)
• Pinch of salt and black pepper

How to Make Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese

This broccoli and cauliflower cheese bake is simple to make and full of flavour.

Step One – Cook the vegetables

• Place the cauliflower and broccoli florets in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Put the lid on.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until just tender.
• Drain the vegetables and transfer them to your ovenproof dish while you make the sauce.

Step Two – Make the cheese sauce

• Warm a saucepan over low heat and melt the butter slowly.
• Add the plain flour and stir to form a thick paste (roux).
• Gradually add the milk a little at a time, stirring well after each addition.
• Once all the milk is incorporated, simmer gently for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Remove from the heat and stir in about 100g of the grated Cheddar until melted. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step Three – Assemble the bake

• Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cooked cauliflower and broccoli in the ovenproof dish.
• Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top and add extra black pepper if desired.

Cook’s note: if preparing ahead, cool the assembled dish within 90 minutes, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Step Four – Bake

• Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6.
• Bake for around 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling, the vegetables are piping hot and the top is golden and browned.

Cook’s note: if baking from chilled, reduce the oven to 180°C and bake for 30–40 minutes, ensuring the dish reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 75°C.

What to Serve With Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese

This cheesy vegetable bake pairs well with many mains; try it with:

• Roast dinners — especially roast beef or roast pork.
• Bacon or gammon with baked potatoes.
• Oven-baked sausages and creamy mashed potatoes.
• Nut roast or plant-based nuggets for a vegetarian option.

Make This Cheesy Cauliflower Your Way

This basic recipe is easy to adapt — try different cheeses, add vegetables, or include a crunchy topping to suit your taste.

Use different cheese

Swap Cheddar for Red Leicester, Lancashire, a milder cheese or even a blue for a stronger flavour. Mixing cheeses works well too.

Add extra vegetables

Include sliced leeks, mushrooms, new potatoes, carrots or parsnips for more colour and texture.

Use frozen vegetables

Frozen mixed vegetables (about 600g) are fine — cook them according to the packet and serve immediately rather than making ahead.

Add a crunchy topping

For a crisp finish, stir Panko or homemade breadcrumbs into the grated cheese before baking for a crunchy golden top.

This is also a favourite for Christmas side dishes.

More Roast Dinner Essentials to Try

• Christmas sprouts
• Creamy mashed potatoes with garlic and herbs
• Braised red cabbage with apples
• Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup
• Christmas carrots
• Buttered leeks
• Christmas vegetable tray bake
• Butter-braised Savoy cabbage

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Cauliflower And Broccoli Cheese

Yield:
Serves 4

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
40 minutes

A delicious creamy cauliflower and broccoli cheese dish that’s great alongside a roast dinner.

Ingredients

• Small head of cauliflower
• Small head of broccoli
• 50g butter
• 4 tbsp plain flour
• 500ml milk
• 150g Cheddar cheese – grated
• Pinch salt
• Pinch black pepper

Instructions

1. Place the cauliflower and broccoli florets in a saucepan, cover with cold water and just a pinch of salt. Put the lid on the pan.
2. Bring the water to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for around 5 minutes or until just tender.
3. Drain the vegetables and tip into the serving bowl whilst you make the cheese sauce.

To make the cheese sauce

1. Put the saucepan on the hob over a low heat. Add the butter and melt slowly.
2. Tip in the plain flour and stir it into the butter to create a thick paste.
3. Then add the milk a little at a time, mixing it into the paste every time you add some.
4. When all the milk is added, bring the pan to a gentle simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and add 100g of the grated Cheddar cheese and stir it into the milky sauce until it melts.
6. Season with salt and black pepper.

To make the cauliflower and broccoli cheese bake

1. Pour the homemade cheese sauce over the cooked cauliflower and broccoli florets in the oven proof dish.
2. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the broccoli and cauliflower cheese bake. Add a little extra black pepper if you like.
3. Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F / Gas Mark 6
4. Bake the cauliflower cheese and broccoli in the oven for around 20 minutes or until the cheese sauce is bubbling, the cauliflower and broccoli are piping hot throughout and the cheese is melted and browning on top.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 362Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 443mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 16g

Nutritional content will vary depending on the exact ingredients you use and how careful you are with measuring – this nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate – you should always calculate your own nutritional information especially if you have specific dietary requirements.

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