Creamy Winter Vegetable Casserole Recipe
This Creamy Winter Vegetable Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring a medley of seasonal winter vegetables smothered in a rich mushroom cream sauce, topped with melted cheese and a crispy breadcrumb crust. Perfect for chilly days, this casserole delivers creamy textures and savory flavors in an easy-to-make, oven-baked meal.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Vegetables
- 2 cups mixed winter vegetables (diced carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts)
Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) low-fat cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese
Topping
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko style)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Vegetables: Chop or dice about 2 cups of mixed winter vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts into bite-sized pieces and lightly steam them until just tender but still crisp. This helps avoid soggy casserole.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 can (10.5 oz) of low-fat cream of mushroom soup with 1/2 cup whole milk or plant-based milk. Stir until smooth.
- Season Sauce: Add 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste to the sauce mixture. Mix well to integrate the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the steamed winter vegetables and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to coat all the vegetables evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the vegetable-sauce mixture into a greased oven-safe casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crunchy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for best texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the mixed winter vegetables with any vegetables in season or to your liking.
- For a dairy-free option, use plant-based milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- To add protein, consider mixing in cooked chicken, turkey, or lentils before baking.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking—watch closely to prevent burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Keywords: winter vegetable casserole, creamy vegetable bake, healthy casserole, baked vegetable dish, comfort food, winter recipes