Cheesy Broccoli Crostata is a fun and unique new way to serve (and eat) your vegetables. Call the kids...they won't believe their eyes!
I'm not exactly sure what made me come up with this veggie side dish idea, but once I did, I ran with it!
For other delicious and unique crostata recipes, please check out the following: Fresh Peach Crostata, Apple Crumble Crostata, Easy Rustic Apple Crostata, and Strawberry Crostata with Sweet Almond Glaze.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- How to make broccoli even the kids will love:
- Why this recipe works:
- Can the cheese sauce be made in advance?
- The step-by-step photos for making the creamy cheese sauce:
- The step-by-step photos for making the broccoli crostata:
- When to serve a rustic broccoli crostata with creamy cheese sauce?
- Can frozen broccoli be used in this recipe?
- Can other vegetables be used to make a cheesy crostata?
- How many servings will this recipe make?
- How to easily adjust the serving size of this recipe
- Additional Crostata recipes you'll also enjoy:
- Recipe Quick Take:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
How to make broccoli even the kids will love:
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 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 that this cheese sauce alone will have them begging for their broccoli, not to mention that it's all neatly tucked into a tasty pie crust.
Why this recipe works:
Cheesy Broccoli Crostata is easy to make, and the cheese sauce is especially pleasing for the kiddos.
To keep it simple, I've used store-bought frozen pie dough, and to keep the kiddos happy, the creamy cheese sauce is a mix of American cheese with a little 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.
Can this cheese sauce be used for other things?
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.
Try it as a French fry dip, served over baked potatoes, or last, but certainly not least, use it as a hot pretzel dip! Mmm!
Can the cheese sauce be made in advance?
You bet!
If needed, it can be made in advance, but it 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.
The step-by-step photos for making the creamy cheese sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium/low heat. Add the flour and stir well to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the milk to the roux (flour and butter mixture) and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the diced American cheese and the prepared cheddar cheese to the thickened sauce and stir until the cheese has melted and becomes creamy.
- Add the cayenne red pepper (if using) and whisk to combine.
- Keep warm.
The step-by-step photos for making the broccoli crostata:
- Microwave the prepared broccoli (covered) for 2-3 minutes on medium-high power. *Note - this is only to partially cook the broccoli. The broccoli will fully cook in the oven after the crostata is fully assembled.
- While the broccoli is microwaving, pat or roll an unbaked 9" round pie crust out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Top the pie crust with the partially cooked and seasoned broccoli, making sure to leave an approximate 1½" border of dough around the broccoli on all sides.
- Lift and fold the pastry over the broccoli, pleating the dough as needed to encase the broccoli within the pie crust, but leaving the center (the broccoli) exposed.
- Brush the edges of the pie crust with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake the crostata in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and the broccoli is lightly caramelized and roasted.
- Spoon the creamy cheese sauce liberally over the entire crostata and add additional cheese sauce (if desired) to each serving slice.
- Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
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When to serve a rustic broccoli crostata with creamy cheese sauce?
I like to serve this as a side dish along with a meal as a unique way to liven up the dinner plate.
However, this can also be served as a vegetarian main course or as an unusual option for a ladies luncheon, wine tasting party, book club meeting, baby or bridal shower, backyard BBQ, pot luck, church supper...you name it!
Can frozen broccoli be used in this recipe?
Yes it sure can. Thaw and partially cook the broccoli in a microwave oven on medium/high power until partially cooked, but not mushy (approximately 3-4 minutes).
Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels before proceeding with the crostata.
Can other vegetables be used to make a cheesy crostata?
You bet!
I recommend using cleaned, quartered and sautéed Brussels sprouts; partially cooked carrot coins; cleaned and quartered mushrooms (lightly sautéed to remove some of their liquid), and sliced sweet onions piled high!
How many servings will this recipe make?
As written, this recipe will makes 8 thin slices, but feel free to make your slices as large as you like, or why not make two while you're at it?
How to easily adjust the serving size of this recipe
Should you need to increase (or decrease) the serving size for this recipe you can easily adjust the ingredient quantities using the sliding scale shown in the recipe card by hovering over the number in the serving size.
Additional Crostata recipes you'll also enjoy:
Recipe Quick Take:
- DIFFICULTY LEVEL - Moderate to Easy
- PREP TIME - 15 Minutes
- BAKE TIME - 25-30 Minutes
- MAKE AHEAD - Not recommended to be baked in advance, but the crostata itself may be assembled and kept in the refrigerator (minus the cheese sauce) until bake time.
- FLAVOR PROFILE - A crispy, buttery pie crust encasing tender cooked and seasoned broccoli and topped with a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Cheesy Broccoli Crostata
Equipment
- Rolling Pin optional
- kitchen timer optional
- cheese grater optional
- wooden spoon optional
- silicone spoon optional
Ingredients
FOR THE CROSTATA:
Instructions
- -Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- -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. Add the cheese, salt, and cayenne pepper as the mixture thickens. 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, it will become firm once cool. 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 be done by evenly pulling the parchment paper 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 clean. Place the precooked broccoli on top of the cheese sauce and spread it out slightly, leaving about 2" of plain pie dough.
- -Gently pull the pie dough edges up and over the broccoli, making folds (or pleats) as you go.
- -Mix the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork. 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 25 minutes or until the pie dough is lightly browned. -Serve hot with warmed cheese sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
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!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.
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.
Kim Bee says
I want to shove my whole face in this crostata. Look at that cheese, it's just calling my name. Perfect way to get kids, and adults, to eat more broccoli.
Jaren says
I adore broccoli and cheese! What a great way to eat it!
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
We eat a lot of broccoli in our house, and this sounds like such a fun way to shake things up a bit - I bet we'd love it!
Carrie R says
Love this! That crostata is like a tasty, edible bowl. 🙂 And you can never go wrong with broccoli and cheese!
Erin Dee says
Oh my! That sauce looks dangerous. I would eat half of it with a spoon while preparing the actual crostata. And I've never seen a crostata like that! Very interesting and unique. 🙂
Lana | Never Enough Thyme says
I would have never thought of a savory crostata. What a great idea!
Kimberly Killebrew says
What a terrific idea! This looks and sounds so yummy and I love how simple this version is!
Lauren says
The only way I eat broccoli is with cheese sauce. 😉 OK, not quite, but it really is delicious, and putting it all inside a crostada is such a great idea.
The Food Hunter says
I'm drooling over that cheese sauce
Isabelle @ Crumb says
This sounds amazing! Roasted broccoli with cheese sauce is one of my favourite cold-weather side dishes, and I just love the idea of transforming it into a pie... that way, I don't feel guilty for eating nothing but broccoli and cheese sauce for dinner. 🙂
Angie Barrett says
I have always been in love with broccoli and cheese! I love what you did with this crosata!
Ginny McMeans says
Oh, man that looks good. Love the ease and I'm always looking for an new recipe that is little extra special. Thanks!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I am far from being a vegetable lover and never have been but when they are done right, I'll give them a shot. Love this!
Maryanne @the little epicurean says
What a great way to incorporate more veggies into one's diet! Love the combo of broccoli and cheese! 🙂
The Chunky Chef says
A broccoli pie! Love it 😀 😀
Kacey Joanette says
Oh, my! My sister is going to love this! We were always the vegetable-loving kids, too. I still love me a good broccoli recipe, and my daughter requests cauliflower on a daily basis 🙂