Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients

**For the Vegetables:**
– 2 cups broccoli florets
– 2 cups cauliflower florets
– 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced
– 1/2 cup chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

**For the Cheese Sauce:**
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 cups milk
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. **Prepare the Vegetables:**
– Steam the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for about 5 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, chopped yellow bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes.

3. **Make the Cheese Sauce:**
– In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
– Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until the mixture is bubbly and smooth.
– Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
– Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
– Season with salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg.
– Stir in the chopped fresh parsley if using.

4. **Assemble the Casserole:**
– Pour the cheese sauce over the mixed vegetables and gently toss to coat evenly.
– Transfer the vegetable and cheese mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

5. **Bake:**
– Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

6. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
– Serve warm as a side dish or a main course.

Enjoy your cheesy vegetable casserole!