Broccoli Cheese Bake
Broccoli Cheese Bake is a comforting, oven-baked casserole that typically features fresh or frozen broccoli florets enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, often with a crunchy breadcrumb or cracker topping. It's a beloved side dish in American home cooking, especially popular at potlucks, holidays, and family dinners. The dish transforms simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying gratin through the magic of baking.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in fat and calories due to the generous use of cheese and often a creamy base like a béchamel sauce or condensed soup. It provides a good amount of protein and calcium from the dairy, along with fiber and vitamins from the broccoli, with a typical serving landing in the 300-400 calorie range.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin C | 45 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin K | 90 mcg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.6 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a classic example of mid-20th century American 'comfort food' casserole culture, which prized convenience, heartiness, and the ability to feed a crowd. Nutritionally, it's an interesting case where a vegetable-forward dish becomes quite indulgent, highlighting how preparation method can dramatically transform a food's profile.
