Savory Garden Vegetable Bake
This Savory Garden Vegetable Bake is a delightful and hearty casserole loaded with vibrant vegetables, creamy mayo, and rich cheese, making it perfect for any occasion. Combining the earthy crunch of broccoli and carrots with the soft textures of zucchini and celery, this dish is not only nutritious but also comfortingly flavorful. Enhanced with fresh herbs and a hint of spice from Tabasco, this casserole is baked to golden perfection with a crunchy cracker topping. Serve it as a side dish or a main meal – it's sure to be a hit at family gatherings or weeknight dinners!
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
broccoli florets
2 cups (steamed until crisp-tender)
carrots
1.5 cups (sliced and steamed until crisp-tender)
mayonnaise
1 cup (none)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Tabasco sauce
4 drops (none)
zucchini
1.5 cups (sliced)
celery
1 cup (sliced)
green pepper
0.5 cup (diced)
onion
0.5 cup (chopped)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (minced)
fresh basil
1 tablespoon (minced)
butter or margarine
3 tablespoons (melted)
saltine crackers
12 squares (crushed)
Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a steamer or large saucepan, steam the broccoli florets and sliced carrots until they are crisp-tender, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and Tabasco sauce. Add the diced green pepper and mix well.
4
Gently fold in the steamed broccoli, carrots, sliced zucchini, celery, and chopped onion. Incorporate the minced parsley and basil, ensuring all vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
5
Transfer the vegetable mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter or margarine. Once melted, add the crushed saltine crackers and sauté until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
7
Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the vegetable layer in the baking dish.
8
Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
11g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Garden Vegetable Bake?
The Savory Garden Vegetable Bake is a hearty casserole featuring a variety of vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and zucchini, bound together with a creamy mayonnaise and cheese mixture and topped with crunchy crackers.
Is the Savory Garden Vegetable Bake vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is vegetarian as it contains only vegetables, dairy, and grains.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving of this vegetable bake.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long should I steam the broccoli and carrots?
Steam the broccoli florets and sliced carrots for approximately 5-7 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
The filling uses one cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
What gives the casserole a hint of spice?
Four drops of Tabasco sauce are added to the mixture for a subtle hint of spice.
Which vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes broccoli, carrots, zucchini, celery, green pepper, and onion.
What herbs are used to season the dish?
The dish is seasoned with fresh minced parsley and fresh minced basil.
What size baking dish do I need?
You will need a greased 2-quart baking dish.
How do I prepare the cracker topping?
Melt butter in a saucepan, sauté crushed saltine crackers for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-40 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The bake is done when the top is bubbly and golden brown.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 10g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
There are 11g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving provides 6g of protein.
Can I use margarine instead of butter for the topping?
Yes, you can use 3 tablespoons of either butter or margarine.
How many saltine crackers are required?
The topping requires 12 crushed saltine cracker squares.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
No, the casserole should be baked uncovered to allow the topping to get crunchy.
What kind of cheese is in the topping?
The topping features 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
While fresh is recommended, you can use frozen vegetables; just ensure they are thawed and well-drained before mixing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients.
Is this dish suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
What is the texture of the finished casserole?
The casserole is creamy and soft on the inside with a crunchy, golden cracker topping.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the vegetable mixture in the dish ahead of time and add the cracker topping just before baking.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
The zucchini should be sliced into 1.5 cups worth of pieces.
How much mayonnaise is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of mayonnaise.
Can I substitute the saltine crackers?
Yes, Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute for a similar crunchy texture.
What is the prep time for steaming?
The steaming process for the broccoli and carrots takes about 5-7 minutes.
How should I serve the Savory Garden Vegetable Bake?
It can be served as a hearty side dish or even as a light main meal.