Slow Cooker Cauliflower and Broccoli With Cheese Sauce

Broccoli with Easy Cheese Sauce
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

This slow cooker broccoli and cauliflower combination is slow cooked to perfection with simple cheddar cheese sauce. Top it off with extra shredded cheddar cheese for an extra indulgent dish. For a freshly baked look with a crunchy topping, pour the cooked vegetable and cheese mixture into a lightly greased casserole and top it with buttered breadcrumbs. Broil just until the topping is browned.

Ingredients

  • 4 strips bacon

  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen cauliflower, thawed

  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen broccoli, thawed

  • 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Cook or bake bacon until crisp; drain well on paper towels then crumble.

  2. Place broccoli and cauliflower in the slow cooker. Spoon the soup over the vegetables and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon. Season with salt and pepper.

  3. Cover and cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours.

  4. About 20 minutes before the dish is done, top with cheddar cheese.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Tips

  • When the dish has finished cooking, transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and top with fine breadcrumbs or about 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs tossed with 2 tablespoons of butter. Put the casserole under the broiler just until browned.
  • Use block cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese. Cheese that has been grated already has potato starch (or a similar ingredient) added, which doesn't melt as well.
  • Add 1 cup of frozen sliced carrots to the dish for additional flavor and color.
  • Add diced red bell pepper to the crock pot along with the frozen vegetables.
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped onion to the dish.
  • Make the dish with all broccoli or cauliflower instead of the combination.
  • The cooked bacon adds some nice flavor, but you can leave it out for a vegetarian version.

Recipe Variations

  • Southwestern cheesy broccoli and cauliflower: Follow the recipe as directed. Add a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles, 14 ounces of canned corn, and a half-packet of low-sodium taco seasoning. Stir thoroughly to combine and cook on low for 3 hours before serving.
  • Parmesan slow cooker broccoli and cauliflower: In the bowl of a slow cooker, combine the broccoli and cauliflower with 1/4 cup butter, 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, 1 cup shredded Parmesan, 1 cup chicken broth, and salt and pepper. Cook on low for 3 hours before serving.
  • Slow cooker broccoli and cauliflower soup: Add 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock and 1/2 cup half-and-half. Cook on low for 4 hours, and then mash the vegetables slightly in the broth before serving. Top with extra cheddar cheese.
  • Stovetop variation: Steam the broccoli and cauliflower with a 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepot over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add the remaining ingredients. Stir thoroughly to combine and serve.
  • Slow cooker cheesy broccoli and cauliflower with rice: Add 1 cup of uncooked white rice and 4 cups chicken broth to the slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on low.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
84 Calories
5g Fat
6g Carbs
5g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 84
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 350mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 30mg 151%
Calcium 67mg 5%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 188mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)