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Creamy Vegetable Bake Recipe

written by Hina Gujral August 26, 2020
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Vegetable Bake is a medley of oven-baked vegetables in a creamy white sauce. It is an all-time classic continental style vegetarian main course. The crusty layer of cheese on top make baked vegetable in white sauce my absolute favorite.  

aerial close up shot of vegetable bake in a ceramic rectangular dish

Vegetable Bake Nostalgia

Creamy Baked Vegetables was the only continental dish in my Indian household while I was growing up.

In other words, vegetable bake in a thick white sauce was the only continental dish in my mother’s cooking repertoire.

She got the recipe from an American cookbook and changed it to suit our Indian tastebuds.

Hence, the dish holds a special place in my food memoirs.

Over the years I have made my additions and subtractions to the recipe, like regular béchamel sauce is been replaced with whole wheat white sauce. And off-course more of vegetables and cheese is added.

sauteed vegetables with white sauce in a pan

What You Need To Make Vegetable Bake

There are three key components in the making of baked vegetables.

creamy white sauce

sauteed vegetables

crusty topping

collage of baked vegetable cooking steps

1) Creamy White Sauce: This is my multi-purpose whole wheat white sauce for everything. From pasta, creamy mushroom to vegetarian casseroles, I use it for all.

The USP of this white sauce is it does not have any cream or all-purpose flour. It is made with whole wheat flour and milk.

The first step in the making of baked vegetable casserole is the white sauce. The sauce only adds creaminess and flavor to the vegetables.

2) Sauteed Vegetables: The best part of this vegetarian casserole is the truckload of veggies. It is one of those fridge forage meals where you can use all the leftover vegetables.

A few vegetables that work well in this baked casserole:

  • zucchini
  • mushrooms
  • green beans
  • cauliflower or broccoli
  • pumpkin or squash
  • potato or sweet potato
  • baby corn or sweet corn
  • bell peppers or capsicum

The second step in this recipe is to saute vegetables. Sauteeing makes them crunchy and when baked they do not leech water.

Hence, it is highly recommended to saute vegetables before combining them in the white sauce.

3) Crusty Topping: The most delicious part of a vegetable bake is the golden, cheesy, crusty layer on top. And that my friend, you can achieve by adding a generous layer of cheese.

I use a mix of cheddar and parmesan for the topping. You can combine bread crumbs and cheese to make the top layer more crusty.

This is the third and the final step before baking the casserole.

aerial shot of vegetable bake in a rectangular ceramic baking dish

Serving Suggestions

To serve vegetable bake as a main-course you can complement it with focaccia bread, any other artisanal bread, a bowl of soup, roasted potatoes, or a hearty salad.

Vegetable Casserole can also work as a side dish for steak or meat dinners.

FAQ’s Related To Baked Vegetable Casserole

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Yes, you can. Thaw frozen vegetables, saute them as directed in the recipe, and use in the baked vegetable casserole. Make sure frozen veggies are not mushy.

Can I add meat to this vegetable casserole?

Ohh yes. If you want to make this vegetarian casserole more hearty, go ahead, and add – shredded chicken, roasted chicken, bacon, ham, salami, or even shrimps. The meat should be cooked like vegetables before baking.

What kind of cheese is the best for crusty topping?

Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda, and Mozarella are my top picks when it comes to crusty toppings.

Can I make it without an oven?

Yes, you can. The baking makes the top cheese layer golden, crispy, and gooey. If you can achieve that in an air-fryer, instant pot crispy lid, or on toaster, no need of an oven to make this vegetable casserole.

side close up shot of baked vegetable in a rectangular

More Baking Recipes For You:

Garlic Rosemary Focaccia

Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Cheese Corn Muffin

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side close up shot of creamy baked vegetable in a ceramic baking dish

Creamy Vegetable Bake Recipe

Vegetable Bake is a medley of oven-baked vegetables in a creamy white sauce. It is a classic continental style vegetarian main course. Learn how to make baked vegetables in white sauce.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Calories: 970kcal
Author: Hina Gujral
  • Baking Dish
  • Frying Pan
  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup diced onion
  • 1 Cup broccoli florets
  • 1 Cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 Cup diced yellow bell pepper
  • 1 Cup diced zucchini
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil

Ingredients for the White Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
  • 2 tablespoon whole wheat flour
  • 4 Cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
  • 1 – 2 (1 teaspoon) sprigs of thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Ingredients For Crusty Topping:

  • 1/2 Cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 Cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prepare White Sauce:

  • To make whole wheat white sauce, heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped garlic and saute for 10 seconds to release the aroma of garlic.
  • Next, add whole wheat flour. Saute over low heat for 1 – 2 minutes to release the aroma and roast the flour. Pour the milk steadily with one hand and stir the flour mixture clockwise continuously to avoid any lump formation. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
  • Once the sauce thickens, season with salt, pepper, nutmeg powder, and thyme. Stir to combine. taste and adjust the seasoning. The sauce is ready.

Saute Vegetables:

  • In a stir fry pan heat oil over medium flame. Add onion and saute till soft but not brown.
  • Next, add zucchini and saute for a few seconds, followed by broccoli and bell peppers. Saute the vegetables till they are al dente but not fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.

Assemble The Casserole:

  • Grease a large baking dish with olive oil. Preheat oven at 180 degree celsius.
  • Now pour half of the white sauce over the sauteed vegetables. Stir to evenly combine.
  • Arrange the vegetables in the greased baking dish. Pour remaining white sauce over the vegetables.
  • Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the layer of white sauce.

Bake:

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes or till a nice golden own crusty layer of melted cheese is visible on top.
  • Serve vegetable bake warm with toasted bread.

Recipe Notes:

  • While making the white sauce, do not add salt in the milk until sauce thickens otherwise, it will curdle. 
  • Sauteeing makes them crunchy and when baked they do not leech water. Hence, it is highly recommended to saute vegetables before combining them in the white sauce.
  • You can use frozen vegetables for making this casserole. Read my detailed notes above in the post. 
  • I use a mix of cheddar and parmesan for the topping. You can combine bread crumbs and cheese to make the top layer more crusty.

Nutrition

Calories: 970kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 1435mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 4142IU | Vitamin C: 293mg | Calcium: 970mg | Iron: 3mg
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Creamy Vegetable Bake Recipe was last modified: September 22nd, 2020 by Hina Gujral
700shares
3 comments
Hina Gujral

I am a passionate Indian food blogger living in India with my husband and our pug, named Momo.

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3 comments

Tara Nair September 21, 2015 - 4:22 PM

Owwhh… I so love it! Thanks for this Hina. You are great!

Reply
Sujay Palsole November 21, 2020 - 3:10 PM

You haven’t specified what temperature we should use in the Oven !!

Reply
Hina Gujral November 22, 2020 - 12:02 AM

It is mentioned under the ‘Assemble The Casserole’ section. 180 degrees Celcius. Thanks, Hina

Reply

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Hello! I am Hina Gujral

Hello! I am Hina Gujral

I am a passionate food lover. Fun FOOD Frolic is all about tried and tested comforting meals from my kitchen.

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