Cheesy Broccoli & Cherry Tomato Vegetable Casserole
A colorful, comforting cheesy vegetable casserole packed with tender broccoli and juicy cherry tomatoes, all baked under a bubbling golden cheese topping. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough for a holiday or family gathering.
🥘 Recipe at a Glance
- Servings: 6–8
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 35–40 minutes
- Total time: About 55 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Oven: 375°F (190°C)
- Dish: 9 × 13-inch casserole dish
🛒 Ingredients
🥦 For the Vegetables
- 6 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
🧀 For the Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
🧀 For the Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, optional
- 1 tablespoon melted butter, if using breadcrumbs
🔥 Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to:
375°F (190°C)
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Set it aside.
🥦 Step 2: Prepare the Broccoli
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the broccoli florets.
Blanch for approximately 2 minutes.
Immediately drain and transfer the broccoli to a bowl of cold water.
Drain again thoroughly.
Why blanch the broccoli?
It gives the broccoli a head start so it becomes perfectly tender in the casserole without turning mushy.
🍅 Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Place the broccoli and halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
Add:
- Diced onion
- Minced garlic
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
Toss until everything is evenly coated.
🧀 Step 4: Make the Cheese Sauce
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add 3 tablespoons flour.
Whisk continuously for approximately 1 minute.
The mixture will form a smooth paste.
🥛 Step 5: Add the Milk
Slowly pour in the 2 cups milk, whisking constantly.
Add the ½ cup heavy cream.
Continue whisking until smooth.
Cook for approximately 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
🧂 Step 6: Season the Sauce
Stir in:
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
Taste the sauce.
Adjust the seasoning as needed.
🧀 Step 7: Add the Cheese
Reduce the heat to low.
Add:
- 1½ cups cheddar
- ½ cup mozzarella
- ¼ cup Parmesan
Stir gently until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Don’t boil the sauce after adding the cheese.
High heat can cause the cheese sauce to become oily or grainy.
🥦 Step 8: Combine the Vegetables and Sauce
Place the prepared broccoli and tomato mixture into the greased casserole dish.
Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the vegetables.
Gently toss or stir so the sauce coats the vegetables without crushing the tomatoes.
🧀 Step 9: Add the Topping
Sprinkle evenly with:
- 1 cup mozzarella
- ½ cup cheddar
- ¼ cup Parmesan
For a crispy topping, combine:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the cheese.
🔥 Step 10: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for approximately:
25–30 minutes
The casserole is ready when:
- The sauce is bubbling around the edges
- The vegetables are tender
- The cheese is melted
- The top is golden brown
🔥 Step 11: Broil for a Golden Top
For an extra-golden cheesy crust, switch the oven to broil for the final 1–2 minutes.
Watch it closely!
Cheese can go from beautifully browned to burnt very quickly under the broiler.
⏰ Step 12: Rest Before Serving
Remove the casserole from the oven.
Let it rest for approximately 5–10 minutes.
This gives the cheese sauce time to settle and thicken slightly.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This casserole makes a fantastic side dish with:
- 🍗 Roast chicken
- 🥩 Grilled steak
- 🍖 Baked ham
- 🐟 Baked salmon
- 🍞 Crusty garlic bread
- 🥗 Fresh green salad
It can also be served as a vegetarian main course with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread.
🥦 Add More Vegetables
You can easily bulk up the casserole with:
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Mushrooms
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Green beans
- Carrots
Easy combination
Try:
Broccoli + cauliflower + cherry tomatoes + mushrooms
for a hearty mixed-vegetable version.
🌶️ Spicy Cheesy Version
Add:
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 diced jalapeño
You can also replace some of the cheddar with pepper Jack cheese.
🧄 Garlic Parmesan Version
For a stronger garlic flavor, increase the fresh garlic to 5 cloves.
Use additional Parmesan in the topping and finish with fresh parsley after baking.
🥓 Broccoli Cheddar Bacon Version
For a heartier casserole, add:
6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Fold the bacon into the vegetables before adding the cheese sauce.
The smoky bacon works especially well with broccoli and sharp cheddar.
🌾 Gluten-Free Version
Use:
- Certified gluten-free flour or cornstarch for the sauce
- Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, if using
Also check packaged cheeses and seasonings if preparing the casserole for someone with celiac disease or strict gluten intolerance.
👩🍳 Tips for the Best Casserole
Drain the broccoli well
Excess water can thin the cheese sauce.
Don’t overcook the tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes release moisture as they bake. Halving them is enough—there’s no need to pre-cook them.
Use freshly shredded cheese
It generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Use sharp cheddar
Sharp cheddar gives the casserole a stronger cheesy flavor without needing excessive amounts of cheese.
Don’t skip the resting time
Those few minutes make the sauce noticeably thicker and easier to serve.
🧊 Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before covering.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
🔥 Reheating
For individual portions, microwave until hot.
For the best texture, reheat larger portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven until bubbling and heated through.
If the casserole seems dry, cover it with foil while reheating.
❄️ Make-Ahead
You can assemble the casserole several hours ahead of time.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Take it out of the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
Because the casserole starts cold, you may need to add approximately 5–10 minutes to the baking time.
For the crispiest topping, add the breadcrumbs immediately before baking.
⭐ Final Result
You’ll have tender broccoli, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, sweet onion, and garlic coated in a rich homemade cheese sauce, topped with bubbling cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional crispy breadcrumbs.
It’s colorful, comforting, cheesy, and makes an excellent vegetarian main dish or hearty side for a family dinner or holiday table. 🥦🍅🧀✨
