Absolutely, let’s dive into the delightful world of Mashed Potato & Broccoli Bake, a comforting dish that marries the creamy richness of mashed potatoes with the vibrant freshness of broccoli, all baked to golden perfection. 🥔🥦
Here’s a detailed look at the recipe, along with the ingredients, instructions, and some tips to make it extra delicious!
Mashed Potato & Broccoli Bake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories per serving: 232.7
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 | Mashed potatoes |
| 1 | Ground black pepper |
| 1 | Salt |
| 1 | Cream cheese |
| 1/4 | Half-and-half |
| 1 | Milk |
| 3 – 4 | Eggs |
| 1 | Butter |
| 4 cups | Broccoli |
| 1 – 2 | Cheddar cheese |
Instructions:
-
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). 🌡️
-
Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 8×12 baking dish generously, ensuring the potatoes won’t stick to the sides.
-
Mix Mashed Potatoes: In a large mixing bowl, whip together the mashed potatoes, ground black pepper, salt, cream cheese, half-and-half, milk, eggs, and butter. Whip until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This creamy base is the heart of our bake! 🥣
-
Season to Taste: Taste your mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference. Don’t be shy with the seasoning—it’s what gives the dish its flavor!
-
Create Potato Shell: Fold in half of the chopped onions into the potato mixture. Then, spread this mixture over the bottom and up the sides of the prepared baking dish. This will create a delicious potato shell for our bake! 🥔
-
Bake the Shell: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potato shell is set and slightly golden on the edges. This step allows the potatoes to firm up a bit before we add the other ingredients.
-
Prepare the Broccoli: While the potato shell is baking, steam or boil the broccoli until it’s just tender. You want it to still have a bit of a bite, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
-
Add Broccoli Layer: Once the potato shell is ready, arrange the hot broccoli florets evenly inside the potato shell. This creates a beautiful green layer full of vitamins and flavor! 🥦
-
Sprinkle with Cheese: Now, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining chopped onions over the top of the broccoli layer. The cheese will melt into gooey, golden goodness in the oven, while the onions add a delicious crunch.
-
Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the onions are crispy and golden brown.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Once done, take the dish out of the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, scoop out generous portions of the Mashed Potato & Broccoli Bake onto plates and serve it hot. 🍽️
Tips for Perfection:
-
Creamy Potatoes: For the creamiest mashed potatoes, make sure to use warm milk and butter when mixing. This helps them blend together smoothly.
-
Cheesy Goodness: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for topping! Gruyere, mozzarella, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan can add unique flavors.
-
Make it a Meal: Turn this side dish into a full meal by adding cooked chicken, turkey, or ham to the layers. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
-
Crispy Top: If you prefer an extra crispy top, broil the dish for the last couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
-
Fresh Herbs: For a burst of freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley, chives, or thyme over the top before serving. It adds a lovely contrast to the creamy potatoes and cheese.
This Mashed Potato & Broccoli Bake is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for cozy family dinners, holiday gatherings, or any time you’re craving a hearty yet wholesome meal. 🥰 Enjoy the creamy potatoes, the vibrant broccoli, and the cheesy goodness in every bite!
