Cheesy Broccoli Gratin
Cheesy Broccoli Gratin
Panko Breadcrumbs
Panko [PAHN-koh] hailing from 🇯🇵 Japan, panko is a type of crisp, light, large breadcrumb. The crumbs are used to coat foods for frying or sautéing as well as in recipes as a topping. Because panko crumbs are coarser than most breadcrumbs, panko creates a deliciously crunchy crust. Panko can be found in Asian markets and in the ethnic section of most grocery stores. Panko breadcrumbs are perfect to top Cheesy Broccoli Gratin.

What is a Gratin?
A gratin is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with bits of butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy. The terms au gratin or gratinée refer to any dish prepared in this manner. Special round or oval gratin pans and dishes are ovenproof and shallow, which makes for a larger surface area, therefore insuring a larger crispy portion for each person.



Cheesy Broccoli Gratin
Ingredients
- 2 large heads broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons butter, plus extra for pan
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup half and half
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1/2 cup each cheddar and fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400º
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth.
- Add milk, cream, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper and continue whisking until mixture comes to a low boil. Reduce to a simmer and stir in cheddar and fontina cheese until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile bring a small saucepan with 1-inch of water to a boil. Steam broccoli just until bright green, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Grease a casserole dish. Add broccoli and fold in cheese sauce so all the broccoli is well coated. In a small bowl, mix panko crumbs, parmesan cheese and olive oil. Sprinkle over broccoli mixture.
- Bake at 400º for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Cheese sauce should be bubbly and bread crumb mixture well toasted.
- Remove from oven, let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Chop Suey American Style is a fantastic recipe for this American classic. For this recipe we used Kikkoman Japanese Style Panko Crumbs
Recent Recipe: Cinnamon Popcorn
22 Comments on “Cheesy Broccoli Gratin”
Your Cheesy Broccoli Gratin looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
I love broccoli and this looks really tasty. The panko breadcrumbs look great – better than regular breadcrumbs.
This is a great looking dish. My partner adores broccoli in just about any incarnation, so I know he just going to love this dish – excellent choice.
Sue
Nothing better:)
Yumm! Creamy, cheesy broccoli. Perfect side dish – great pick!!
Thanks!!
Oh yum! Cheese is definitely a must with broccoli! This sounds delish!
Thanks Jess!!
Wow this sounds so delicious, Lynn. Beautiful dish and great choice!
Thanks Karen
Broccoli is probably my most favorite veggie – and cheese with it – heck yes! This looks like a fantastic side dish 🙂 Great choice – happy reveal day!
It was the perfect side dish, plus you can make a small or large batch:)
Cheese + br0ccoli = married! Great SRC pick!
Thanks Dorothy!!
You can mix anything with gooey cheese and top it with breadcrumbs and I will absolutely LOVE it! I bet this broccoli is fantastic! Awesome pick this month 🙂
It was wonderful Melissa~ A must try!!
I do love broccoli – good choice, and nice to have so much in common with your partner 🙂
Thanks for stopping Rachel~
Great way to serve one of my favorite veggies! We enjoy broccoli at least once/week…
a little cheese, a little run under the broiler never hurt any veggie, right? 😉
Hi Sally, We have broccoli at least once a week too:) We love it!
Broccoli and Cheese…..Mmmmm.
Thanks Wendy~