Broccoli Casserole with Cream Cheese Sauce

INGREDIENTS FOR A FAMILY CASSEROLE:
10 oz. frozen broccoli or 8 to 10 oz. fresh broccoli
3/4 cup frozen pearl onions
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2/3 cup 2% milk
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature if possible
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
(Quart size casserole dish)


OR--
INGREDIENTS FOR A POTLUCK CASSEROLE:
2 lbs frozen broccoli
1 14.4 oz pkg. frozen pearl onions
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups milk
6 oz. cream cheese, room temperature if possible
at least 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
9 x 9 pyrex casserole dish

(NOTE: You can double the Potluck size ingredients and bake in a 9 X 13 pyrex baking dish.)

Turn oven to 350 F. Spray a baking dish with non stick spray. (If family size casserole, use pyrex quart size dish; if potluck size use a 9 x 9 pyrex baking dish)

Cook the onions and broccoli according to package directions (or steam or simmer until just done - not falling apart!) Stop cooking immediately by plunging into ice water. (Note: I simmer my broccoli in salted water to preserve the color.) Let sit in the ice water until the ice melts. The drain thoroughly in a colander

Meanwhile make sauce:
In a saucepan combine the corn starch, salt, pepper. Stir in the milk. Heat over medium- high heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens comes to a boil. Turn heat to low and stir in chunks of the cream cheese until smooth. Taste sauce and add more salt or pepper if desired.

Mix the sauce with the drained broccoli and onions, and spread into prepared baking dish

Sprinkle the casserole with the grated parmesan. Bake the family size casserole for about 30 minutes. Bake the Potluck size casserole longer. Test with an instant read thermometer in the center - 140 to 165 F.


Serving Size: Divide Family Size recipe into 6 servings.

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ANTIOCHIA.