This rustic Roasted Broccoli Crostata with Cheese Sauce is a fun and unique new way to serve (and eat) your vegetables.
I'm not exactly sure what made me come up with this veggie side dish idea, but once I did, I ran with it!
I've always been a vegetable lover. Even when I was a kid, if there were vegetables leftover in the bowl after dinner, I'd be the one to grab the spoon and finish them off.
Since I know that not everyone has vegetable loving kids (I know we sure didn't), I thought that this fun and tasty new way to serve broccoli would come in handy.
I'd bet money on the fact that this cheese sauce alone will have them begging for their broccoli, not to mention the fact that it's all neatly tucked into a tasty pie crust.
Roasted Broccoli Crostata with Cheese Sauce is super easy to make, and the cheese sauce is especially pleasing for the kiddos.
To make it simple, I've used store-bought frozen pie dough, and to please the kids, the creamy cheese sauce is a mix of American cheese and a little bit of cheddar.
This recipe is easy to alter If you choose to make it with something other than broccoli. As long as you follow the method I'm showing here, the world is your oyster, um make that crostata.
The cheese sauce for this crostata is one of the best I've had, and it can be used for many different recipes and applications.
If needed, it can be made in advance of when you need it but will thicken and firm as it cools. To make it creamy and pourable once it's cooled, all it takes is a slight warming on the stovetop or in the microwave (on low power), along with a bit of whisking.
ROASTED BROCCOLI CROSTATA WITH CHEESE SAUCE {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
For the crostata:
4 cups broccoli florets
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ tablespoons olive oil
1 roll frozen pie dough, thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)
baking sheet
parchment paper
cooking spray
rolling pin
For the cheese sauce:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup milk, warmed slightly
6 slices American cheese (cut into small cubes)
2 ounces cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
pinch salt
pinch cayenne pepper (or to taste)
-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 minute. Slowly add the warmed milk and whisk to remove the lumps. As the mixture heats, it will thicken. As the mixture thickens, add in the cheeses, salt and cayenne pepper. Continue whisking until the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. Keep warm, but do not cover. *Note - if you're making the cheese sauce in advance, once cool it will become firm. To make the sauce pourable, reheat gently on the stovetop or in a microwave on low power.
-Place the broccoli florets in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 2-3 minutes on medium power. Add ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and olive oil. Stir well to combine. Set aside to cool slightly.
-Use the rolling pin to gently and evenly roll the pie dough(making it slightly larger in circumference) out onto a lightly sprayed sheet of parchment paper. Carefully transfer the pie dough and paper to a baking sheet. *Note - this can easily be done by pulling the parchment paper evenly onto the baking sheet.
-Place about 2 tablespoons of the cheese sauce in the middle of the pie dough and use a spoon to spread it into a circle of the dough, leaving the edges of the dough clean. Place the precooked broccoli on top of the cheese sauce and spread it out slightly, leaving about 2" of the pie dough clean.
-Gently pull the pie dough edges up and over the broccoli, making folds (or pleats) as you go.
-Use a fork to mix the egg and water in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash evenly over the top of the pie dough. Sprinkle the top of the dough with the sesame seeds (if using) and a pinch of black pepper.
-Bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the pie dough is lightly browned. Remove and serve immediately with the warmed cheese sauce.
I totally encourage to play with this recipe and make it your own. If you'd like to add onions, go for it! If you're a fan of chicken, add some (cooked of course)! If you're mad for Brussels sprouts and garlic, invite me over. I love them too!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This is the perfect way to get kids to eat their veggies! This crostata looks beautiful too!
Holly Doerr says
Oh yes! Another great way to disguise veggies from my kids...they will surely gobble up this bread and cheese delight!
Holly Doerr says
Oh yes! I am always looking for new ways to disguise vegetables from my picky kids and this might be the perfect way to do it.