Hearty Veggie Casserole

Intro

This Hearty Veggie Casserole is the kind of dish that makes you feel warm inside — like a hug in a baking dish.
It’s loaded with colorful vegetables, tender potatoes, and a creamy cheese sauce, all baked until bubbly and golden.
Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or as a meatless main course, it’s filling, wholesome, and bursting with flavor.
Even veggie skeptics will come back for seconds!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 medium carrots, sliced

1 medium zucchini, sliced

1 medium bell pepper, chopped (any color)

1 small broccoli head, cut into small florets

1 cup frozen peas

3 tbsp unsalted butter

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups milk (whole or 2%)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

Salt & pepper to taste

½ cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)

Instructions with Timing

Prep vegetables (8 min)

Peel and cube potatoes, slice carrots and zucchini, chop bell pepper, cut broccoli into florets.

Parboil root veggies (8 min)

In a pot of boiling water, cook potatoes and carrots for 5–6 minutes until slightly tender but not fully cooked.

Drain and set aside.

Make cheese sauce (7 min)

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth and thickened (about 3–4 minutes).

Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Assemble casserole (4 min)

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Combine all vegetables in the dish (including peas).

Pour cheese sauce evenly over the vegetables.

 Add topping (2 min)

If using breadcrumbs, sprinkle them on top for a crispy finish.

Bake (30–35 min)

Bake uncovered until vegetables are fully tender and top is golden and bubbly.

Rest & serve (2–3 min)

Let it cool slightly before serving so it holds together better.

Tips for Best Results

Parboiling potatoes & carrots ensures they cook evenly with softer veggies.

For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before baking.

You can mix in leftover cooked chicken or beans for added protein.

For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and reduced cheese.