This rustic Roasted Broccoli Crostata with Cheese Sauce 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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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 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.
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 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.
A few step-by-step photos for you:
Additional related recipes for you to enjoy:
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Printable Recipe Card
Roasted Broccoli Crostata with Cheese Sauce
Equipment
- Rolling Pin optional
- kitchen timer optional
- cheese grater optional
Ingredients
FOR THE CROSTATA:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 9" round pie dough thawed if previously frozen
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds optional
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
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
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 30-35 minutes or until the pie dough is lightly browned. -Serve hot with the 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!
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 🙂