Pea Pod Casserole
Experience the ultimate comfort dish with this creamy Pea Pod Casserole, a delightful take on baked vegetables that transforms fresh, crisp pea pods into a cheesy, golden-baked masterpiece. Blanched to retain their vibrant green hue, the pea pods are enveloped in a velvety, rich cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan, infused with aromatic garlic and onion powders for a flavor-packed base. Topped with crunchy, olive oil-coated breadcrumbs that bake to a golden perfection, this casserole strikes the perfect balance of creamy and crispy textures. Quick to prepare in under an hour, this versatile dish is perfect as a side for family dinners or a standalone vegetarian entrée. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams fresh pea pods (trimmed)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the pea pods by cooking them in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Once cooled, drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the blanched pea pods to the cheese sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.
Transfer the pea pod mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the olive oil, mixing until the crumbs are lightly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
533 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.2 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.2 g | 86% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 1329 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.4 g | ||
| Protein | 28.2 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 711 mg | 55% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 368 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
