Description
This Cheesy Carrot Casserole is a creamy, comforting side dish featuring tender carrots enveloped in a luscious cheddar cheese sauce, topped with a buttery, crunchy cornflake crust. Perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings, it combines rich textures and classic flavors in an easy-to-make baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Filling
- 3 Tablespoons Butter – Salted
- 1 medium onion – chopped
- 4 Tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese – shredded
- 3 ½ cups carrots – sliced, cooked until just tender and drained
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
Topping
- 3 Tablespoons Butter – Salted (divided: 1 tablespoon for sauce, 2 tablespoons for topping)
- 2 cups cornflakes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray or grease a 9×11 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Onions: Melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking and stirring for at least 3 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and forms a thick paste, which will help thicken the sauce.
- Add Dairy and Cheese: Gradually add the milk and cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to thicken. Once thickened, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted. Then mix in the cooked carrots and dried parsley flakes evenly into the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread this cheesy carrot mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top.
- Prepare Topping: In a medium bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter. Add the cornflakes and gently stir until thoroughly coated with butter.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered cornflakes evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- For best texture, cook carrots until just tender to maintain a slight firmness in the casserole.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other melting cheeses like gouda or mozzarella for a different flavor.
- Use salted butter to enhance flavor; if unsalted butter is used, adjust salt accordingly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.
