Description
Easy Cheesy Kale Gratin combines sautéed kale, rich cheese sauce, and crispy breadcrumbs for a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
1 large bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp butter (for sautéing)
2 tbsp butter (for cheese sauce)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk (or cream)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Gruyère cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rinse and chop the kale; remove tough stems.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and sauté chopped onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the kale until wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
5. In a saucepan, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter and whisk in the flour to form a roux.
6. Slowly add the milk while whisking until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Gruyère cheese until smooth.
7. Combine the cheese sauce with the kale mixture and mix well.
8. Transfer to a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
9. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and sprinkle on top.
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
11. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard if preferred.
Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh herbs like thyme for extra flavor.
Use dairy-free milk and cheese for a vegan version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: easy cheesy kale gratin, kale gratin recipe, cheesy kale bake