Dive into the delicious world of low-carb eating with this Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage. This comforting casserole is a fantastic way to enjoy a satisfying meal packed with vegetables and savory sausage, all while staying perfectly keto-friendly. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a hearty side dish that is both healthy and incredibly tasty.
Key Ingredients for Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage:
- 1 pound beef sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 4 cups cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage:
This Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage is surprisingly simple to prepare, transforming humble vegetables into an incredibly delicious and satisfying dish. The creamy cheese sauce, rich sausage, and tender roasted vegetables create a symphony of flavors and textures. With a preparation time of around 25 minutes and a cooking time of 30-35 minutes, this hearty casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat the olive oil or butter in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled beef sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables: If using fresh broccoli and cauliflower, wash and chop them into bite-sized florets. If using frozen, no need to thaw. Add the broccoli and cauliflower florets to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir to coat them in the residual fat and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to slightly soften.
- Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, nutmeg (if using), and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Step 4: Add Cheese and Sausage: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in ¾ cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the cooked and crumbled beef sausage. Ensure all the vegetables are well coated in the cheesy sauce.
- Step 5: Bake the Au Gratin: Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the skillet (or transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish if your skillet is not oven-safe) into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is thickened. For an extra browned topping, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 6: Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage:
This Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage is an absolute winner for anyone seeking a hearty, flavorful, and guilt-free meal. Its star feature is the incredible combination of tender, slightly crisp broccoli and cauliflower, enrobed in a luxuriously creamy, cheesy sauce, all elevated by the savory, satisfying chunks of beef sausage. Making this at home is significantly more cost-effective than dining out or purchasing pre-made keto meals, allowing you to enjoy gourmet flavors without the hefty price tag. The rich, melty Gruyère or sharp cheddar, coupled with the pungent Dijon and hint of nutmeg, creates a depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Compared to a traditional potato gratin, this vegetable-forward version offers a healthier, lower-carb alternative that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of comfort or deliciousness. It’s the perfect side dish to a grilled steak or chicken, or it can stand alone as a satisfying light dinner. Don’t wait to experience this delightful blend of textures and tastes that perfectly embodies low-carb comfort food; give this irresistible Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage a try this week!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing and reheating your Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness even after the initial meal.
- Refrigeration: Allow the au gratin to cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire dish in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. You may want to loosely tent it with foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
- Freezing: If you plan to freeze leftovers, it’s best to do so before combining all ingredients if possible or once baked and cooled. Portion the cooled au gratin into individual freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above. Be aware that freezing can sometimes slightly alter the texture of vegetables, but the flavor will remain enjoyable.
Final Thoughts:
This Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage is a testament to how satisfying and flavorful low-carb cooking can be. It’s a dish that’s both nourishing and incredibly comforting, demonstrating that healthy eating doesn’t mean compromising on taste. Give it a try; you might just find your new favorite go-to recipe for a fantastic meal.
Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat the olive oil or butter in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled beef sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, 1 pound beef sausage, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- If using fresh broccoli and cauliflower, wash and chop them into bite-sized florets. If using frozen, no need to thaw. Add the broccoli and cauliflower florets to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir to coat them in the residual fat and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to slightly soften.4 cups broccoli florets, 4 cups cauliflower florets
- Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, nutmeg (if using), and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.1.5 cups heavy cream, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg, pinch cayenne pepper
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in ¾ cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the cooked and crumbled beef sausage. Ensure all the vegetables are well coated in the cheesy sauce.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 0.5 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 pound beef sausage
- Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the skillet (or transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish if your skillet is not oven-safe) into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is thickened. For an extra browned topping, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Carefully remove the Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Au Gratin With Beef Sausage from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley