• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Blogghetti logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
    •  Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Search
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Home » Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole Recipe

Apr 2, 2023 · 6 Comments

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read our privacy policy.

This Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole recipe is an easy side dish for any dinner or holiday meal. This casserole is filled with tender carrots, and a homemade cheese sauce, and topped with buttery crackers. It’ll become a favorite!

cheesy carrot casserole image with text overlay

If you’re looking for an easy casserole recipe to make for dinner or a holiday meal, this Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole is the recipe for you. Normally I tend to stick to serving carrots made in the slow cooker or roasted in the oven, Never even thought about making an entire casserole of carrots! Such a comforting side dish that is ready to serve in under an hour.

I got the idea when #OurFamilyTable blogger group posted a “creative carrots” event. Separately, the ingredients for this side dish may seem like carrots with cheese sauce, and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. But when you make the cheese sauce from scratch and add that buttery cracker topping, you’ve got yourself one delicious casserole! It’s a new recipe that I think will be on our Easter dinner menu this year, too.

Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole

I had a large bag of carrots in the refrigerator from another event that I really needed to use so when the idea for this casserole came to mind, I went ahead and peeled, sliced, and par-steamed the carrots to use. The sauce was easy to make with pantry items and two kinds of cheddar cheese. Choosing to use buttery crackers in place of the traditional breadcrumbs too this carrot casserole up a delicious notch.

There is a little prep work with this easy recipe but it doesn’t take much time to do so and the result is well worth the time. The casserole comes out of the oven smelling so wonderful and is on the savory side with a slight sweetness and a creamy rich cheese sauce. Picky eaters will love this, too. It’s a delicious way to get kids to eat vegetables.

This cheesy carrot casserole would be a perfect side dish to make for Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving dinners. Creamy carrot casserole will be on rotation for Sunday dinners, along with baked chicken and rice pilaf. However you serve this tasty dish, it will become a great addition to your dinner.

casserole made with carrots in baking dish

Can I use baby carrots for this recipe?

Yes, you can use baby carrots for this recipe. Cooking carrots until they’re about halfway tender goes for the baby carrots, too. Larger baby carrots may need to be halved. You can also use frozen carrots, just thaw them out and drain them well first. No need to cook frozen ones as they are already partially cooked.

Ingredients

  • 2 pound bag of carrots (about 10-12 large carrots) OR two pounds of baby carrots
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (I used a sharp white and cheddar mix)
  • 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (I used Ritz crackers)
ingredients for cheesy carrot casserole
Follow Blogghetti on Pinterest

How to make Cheesy Carrot Casserole

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Step 2

Wash, peel, and slice carrots. Slice the carrots into bite-size pieces so they will take less time to steam and cook.

Step 3

In a large pot, add about two inches of water and the sliced carrots. Steam the carrot until they are fork-tender but not mushy (about 8 – 10 minutes). You want them to still have a little crunch to them. The oven will finish cooking them to perfection. Drain carrots and set aside.

steamed carrots in strainer

Step 4

While the carrots are steaming, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and add the onions. Cook the onions until soft. Add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, and nutmeg; mix.

adding seasonings to onions in skillet

Step 5

Add the flour and mix to make a paste. Cook for about a minute.

adding flour to onion mixture in skillet to make a roux

Step 6

Slowly add the milk to the skillet, whisking continually until all the milk has been added. This is the roux for the cheese sauce and it will be thin at first but as it cooks, it thickens nicely. Be sure NOT to dump all the milk in at once. This will result in a very lumpy sauce.

Step 7

Cook the sauce over medium heat for about five minutes, or until thickened. Turn off the heat and add the cheese. Stir until completely melted into the sauce.

adding cheese to the white sauce in skillet

Step 8

Place cooked carrots in the bottom of the baking dish.

Step 9

Pour the sauce evenly over the carrots.

cover the carrots with the sauce in the baking dish

Step 10

Sprinkle the crushed cracker crumbs over the casserole and bake for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. The top will be golden brown. Store leftover carrot casserole in an airtight container.

overhead shot of baked cheesy carrot casserole
Carrot Casserole is a great dish to take potlucks or to serve at any holiday dinner.
Click to Tweet
close up of carrot casserole on serving spoon

Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

  • You can use 2 pounds of baby carrots in place of the large fresh ones.
  • Use your favorite cheeses. Swiss would be wonderful, as would extra sharp cheddar or an Italian blend.
  • Regular breadcrumbs or Panko bread crumbs can be substituted for crackers.
  • If you have leftover stuffing mix, you can top the casserole in place of the crackers.

Printable Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole Recipe

spoonful of baked cheesy carrot casserole

Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole Recipe

This Cheesy Baked Carrot Casserole recipe is an easy side dish for any dinner. Made with fresh carrots, homemade cheese sauce, and a buttery cracker topping.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Easter, holiday
Cuisine: American
Keyword: carrots, casserole, cheese, cheesy carrot casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds carrots (10-12 large carrots) OR 2 pounds baby carrots
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup yellow onion, diced
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used a mix of white and yellow sharp cheddar)
  • 1 cup crushed buttery crackers

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  • Wash, peel, and slice carrots. Slice the carrots into bite-size pieces so they will take less time to steam and cook.
  • In a large pot, add about two inches of water and the sliced carrots. Steam the carrot until they are fork-tender but not mushy (about 8 – 10 minutes). You want them to still have a little crunch to them. The oven will finish cooking them to perfection. Drain carrots and set aside.
  • While the carrots are steaming, heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and add the onions. Cook the onions until soft. Add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, and nutmeg; mix.
  • Add the flour and mix to make a paste. Cook for about a minute.
  • Slowly add the milk to the skillet, whisking continually until all the milk has been added. This is the roux for the cheese sauce and it will be thin at first but as it cooks, it thickens nicely. Be sure NOT to dump all the milk in at once. This will result in a very lumpy sauce.
  • Cook the sauce over medium heat for about five minutes, or until thickened. Turn off the heat and add the cheese. Stir until completely melted into the sauce.
  • Place carrots in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the carrots.
  • Sprinkle the crushed cracker crumbs over the casserole and bake for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. The top will be golden brown.

Notes

  • You can use 2 pounds of baby carrots in place of the large fresh ones.
  • Use your favorite cheeses. Swiss would be wonderful, as would extra sharp cheddar or an Italian blend.
  • Panko or regular breadcrumbs can be substituted for crackers.
spoonful of baked cheesy carrot casserole

More Creative Carrot Recipes

Creative Creations with Carrots

  • Bird’s Nest Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
  • Chinese Jamaican Beef and Carrots from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  • Copper Penny Salad from Palatable Pastime
  • Glazed Turnips and Carrots from That Recipe
  • Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots from Jen Around the World
  • Irish Buttered Carrots (Slieve Na Mbam) from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
  • Maple Glazed Carrots from Art of Natural Living
  • Vegan Carrot Almond Rice Kheer from Magical Ingredients


We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

spoonful of baked cheesy carrot casserole

Stay connected for the latest recipes

Connect with Blogghetti! Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

If you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #Blogghetti on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured!

 

Enjoy!

More from Blogghetti

Easter Recipes, Holidays, Side Dishes for the Holidays, Vegetables carrots, casserole, cheese, cheesy carrot casserole

Previous Post: « Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Breakfast Smoothie
Next Post: Strawberry Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. karens kitchen stories says

    April 2, 2023 at 2:40 PM

    That is totally creative. I never would have thought of a carrot casserole!

    Reply
  2. Hezzi-D says

    April 2, 2023 at 3:16 PM

    You can’t go wrong with cheese and carrots! This casserole sounds yummy!

    Reply
  3. Sue Lau says

    April 3, 2023 at 1:23 PM

    I love casseroles. Adding a cheese sauce to the carrots and topping with crunch is perfect for me.

    Reply
  4. Inger says

    April 3, 2023 at 3:01 PM

    Chessy veggies in a casserole–this has my name written all over it!

    Reply
  5. Christie says

    April 9, 2023 at 8:42 AM

    I don’t think I’ve put carrots and cheese together. Ever. I’m adding this one to the must make list because it looks delicious.

    Reply
  6. Radha says

    April 9, 2023 at 10:30 AM

    I am loving this casserole! Delicious idea of making a cheesy casserole with carrots and I know that my kids would love this dish. Making it today. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, avid reader, crafter, wife, mother, and always a student. Click here to read full profile.

TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

overhead shot of brunch charcuterie board

Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board

pitcher of hibiscus iced tea with strawberries and a glassful of tea and ice

Strawberry Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe

close up dragon fruit jam in mason jar with spoon

How to Make Homemade Dragon Fruit Jam

close up of cream of chicken soup condensed in mason jar

Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe

cherry cobbler served on white and gray plate

3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cherry Cobbler

ham and egg breakfast calzones opened to see filling

Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Calzones

We call it melt in your mouth perfect oven pot roast for a reason. The meat is slow cooked in the oven with carrots and onions until the meat is fall-apart-tender and the carrots are tender crisp.

Melt in Your Mouth Perfect Oven Pot Roast

20 Projects to Re-purpose Starbucks Bottles

Recipe Key

AppetizersBakingCasseroles

Crock Pot MealsMeal PlansOne Pan Meals

Cooking TipsSoupsVegetables

Get Tried and True Recipes Straight to Your Inbox!

Copyright © 2023 • All rights reserved • All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy
All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission.
If you want to share this recipe, please provide a link back to the post for the original recipe.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT