Creamy Winter Vegetable Casserole Recipe
This Creamy Winter Vegetable Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish featuring a medley of steamed winter vegetables mixed with a creamy mushroom soup base, cheddar or Gruyère cheese, and a buttery breadcrumb topping. Perfect for chilly days, it provides a flavorful way to enjoy seasonal vegetables in a satisfying casserole form.
- 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
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups mixed winter vegetables (diced carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts)
Casserole Filling
- 1 can (10.5 oz) low-fat cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, regular or panko style
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
- Prep Vegetables: Steam or blanch fresh mixed winter vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender, then drain well. If using frozen vegetables, thaw completely and pat dry to remove any excess moisture. This ensures the casserole isn’t watery.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared vegetables with low-fat cream of mushroom soup, milk, shredded cheese, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly so the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Fill Baking Dish: Transfer the vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spoon or spatula.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter until well blended. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crispy crust once baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving warm. This helps the flavors to settle and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can customize the vegetables based on what is available or preferred, but make sure to cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier topping.
- For a richer flavor, substitute the milk with half-and-half or cream, but this will increase the fat content.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cold from the fridge.
- To make dairy-free, use plant-based milk and a dairy-free cheese alternative and confirm the soup is dairy-free.
Keywords: winter vegetable casserole, creamy casserole, baked vegetable dish, healthy vegetable casserole, low-fat casserole, comfort food, winter vegetables
