Broccoli Casserole With Creamy Cheese Sauce

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 (16 ounce) packages fresh broccoli florets
• 3 -4 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 (8 ounce) cans sliced water chestnuts
• salt and pepper
• 1 (2 ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained (can use 2 jars if desired)
• 2 cups grated old cheddar cheese, shredded (can use more or less)
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups half-and-half cream
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup old cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 large eggs

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 boil or steam the broccoli florets in a small amount of water until just fork tender; drain very well (this can be done hours or up to 1 day in advance).
• 4 in a skillet melt butter over medium heat; add in the onion and saute for about 6-7 minutes or until very soft.
• 5 place the cooked broccoli, onion, water chestnuts and pimientos; mix to combine and season with salt and pepper; set aside while preparing the cheese sauce.
• 6 for the cheese sauce; melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
• 7 whisk in flour until smooth.
• 8 gradually whisk in half and half cream and cayenne; bring to a boil whisking constantly for about 1 minute.
• 9 remove from heat and add in the cheddar cheese; stir until melted and smooth.
• 10 in a bowl beat the eggs with a fork until thick and pale.
• 11 gradually stir about one-forth of the hot cheese/cream mixture into the eggs; add egg mixture to the remaining hot cheese mixture stirring constantly.
• 12 pour the cheese sauce into the broccoli mixture in the bowl; stir with a wooden spoon to combine thoroughly.
• 13 season with more black pepper if desired.
• 14 spoon the mixture into prepared baking dish.
• 15 bake uncovered for about 15 minutes.
• 16 remove from oven and sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese; return to oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes more.
• 17 let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.
• 18 delicious!