How to Cook Tasty Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd

Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd. Cook until sauce begins to bubble and thicken. Add a small pinch of cayenne and remaining pepper. Stir in cream cheese until melted.

Steaming instead of boiling the broccoli prevents it from getting waterlogged and thinning the creamy cheese sauce. Broccoli is covered with a Cheddar cheese sauce and bread crumbs in this quick and easy gratin even broccoli haters might love. Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd instructions. You can have Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd using 10 ingredients and 7 steps. Here is how you achieve it.

Ingredients of Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd

1. It's 4 lbs of fresh broccoli - cut to bite size florets.
2. It's 1/2 cup of Panko breadcrumbs.
3. Prepare 6 tbs of unsalted butter - softened, divided.
4. It's 2 tbs of flour.
5. Prepare 2 cups of milk (anything but skim).
6. It's 4 oz of full fat cream cheese - softened, cubed.
7. Prepare 1 1/2 cup of triple cheddar blend shredded cheese.
8. You need 1 tsp of salt.
9. You need 1/2 tsp of pepper.
10. Prepare 1 pinch of cayenne.

Place a steamer basket in a large pot filled with just enough water to almost touch the bottom of the basket. Add broccoli and steam until crisp tender. In France, a gratin features a sturdy vegetable baked with a light cheese and breadcrumb covering. Broccoli works well in a classic gratin because it holds up well when baking.

Broccoli Cheese Gratin for a Crowd instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish with 1 tbs of the butter. Set aside..
2. Place a steamer basket in a large pot filled with just enough water to almost touch the bottom of the basket. Add broccoli and steam until crisp tender. About 8 minutes. (Note on the broccoli, I do not use the big, stalks parts of the stems).
3. When broccoli is finished. Remove lid and carefully transfer broccoli to casserole dish, spread out evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper..
4. While broccoli steams, you can begin the sauce. Melt 4 tbs butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour. Cook for 1 minute, wisking constantly..
5. Wisk in milk. Cook until sauce begins to bubble and thicken. About 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add a small pinch of cayenne and remaining pepper. Stir in cream cheese until melted..
6. Stir in shredded cheese until sauce is smooth. Taste for seasoning adding up to remaining 1/2 tsp salt if desired. Pour in an even layer over broccoli in dish..
7. Melt remaining 1 tbs butter in microwave for 20-30 seconds. Stir into bread crumbs. Sprinkle mixture evenly over cheese. Bake uncovered until topping is golden brown. About 10-15 minutes. Dish up hot. Enjoy!.

Cantal cheese gives this dish a nice nutty flavor, but cheddar can be subbed in, too. A little sage adds a lovely herbal complexity. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel and pat dry. Put the broccoli in the steamer and season with salt.