Carrots Au Gratin ~
Naturally sweet carrots baked in creamy cheese sauce and sprinkled with a buttery cracker crumb topping.
Try this easy side dish on a weeknight with Baked Pesto Tofu or add it to your Easter holiday meal!
I like this easy and cheesy carrot casserole because it comes together in minutes and it’s versatile enough to work with a variety of dinner options.
Cheesy Carrot Casserole
Au gratin is simply a fancy way of describing a baked dish that is covered in breadcrumbs.
For this recipe, we’re using seasoned vegetable crackers but the idea is the same and what you get is a nice, slight crunch with every bite.
Ingredients for Carrots Au Gratin
- 3 cups carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, softened and divided
- 2 tablespoons yellow onions, chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup oat milk
- 1/3 cup vegan Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup savory butter crackers, crushed, recommend Roasted Vegetable Ritz
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Ingredient Notes
- Carrots: Large, whole carrots work best for this recipe. The carrots don’t need to be peeled, although you certainly can peel them if you want. I leave mine unpeeled and just give them a good scrubbing to remove any dirt.
- Plant Milk: To me, oat milk tastes the most like dairy milk and I think it’s the best choice for this recipe. If you choose to use another variety of milk, such as almond, just be aware that it will affect the overall taste of the casserole.
- Cheese: Same as with milk, the cheese used will have a big impact on flavor. Parmesan, American, and cheddar all work well with this recipe.
How to Steam Carrots
Prior to baking, carrots should be steamed until they are easily pierced with a fork but still slightly firm. When it comes to prepping your carrots for baking, you have options:
- Microwave: This is the easiest steaming method. Just place the sliced carrots in a glass bowl and use the steam setting on your microwave. My carrots were perfectly steamed in 4 minutes.
- Stovetop: Place sliced carrots in a steamer basket over a pot with 1-inch of boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until carrots are done.
How to Make Carrots Au Gratin
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out an 8×8-inch baking dish.
STEP TWO: Place sliced carrots in a steamer basket over a pot with 1-inch of boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until carrots are fork tender. Alternatively, place carrots in a glass bowl and use the steam setting on your microwave for about 4 minutes, or until carrots are done. Set aside.
STEP THREE: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until softened. Stir in flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
STEP FOUR: Gradually whisk in the milk. Continue cooking for 1 minute to thicken. Turn the heat down to low.
STEP FIVE: Add the cheese, stirring until completely melted. Fold in the carrots. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, spreading carrots so they are in an even layer.
STEP SIX: In a small bowl, stir together the crushed cracker crumbs and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
STEP SEVEN: Bake 15 minutes, or until topping is lightly golden. Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley and serve hot.
More Carrot Recipes You’ll Love!
- Vegan Carrot Cake
- Veggie Pinwheels with Broccoli and Carrots
- Leek and Potato Soup with Carrots
- German Style Carrot Dogs
- Irish Stew
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Carrots Au Gratin
Ingredients
- 3 cups carrots cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter softened and divided
- 2 tablespoons yellow onions chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup oat milk
- 1/3 cup vegan Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/3 cup savory butter crackers crushed, recommend Roasted Vegetable Ritz
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Place sliced carrots in a steamer basket over a pot with 1-inch of boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until carrots are fork tender. Alternatively, place carrots in a glass bowl and use the steam setting on your microwave for about 4 minutes, or until carrots are done. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until softened. Stir in flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually whisk in the milk. Continue cooking for 1 minute to thicken. Turn the heat down to low.
- Add the cheese, stirring until completely melted. Fold in the carrots. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, spreading carrots so they are in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, stir together the crushed cracker crumbs and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake 15 minutes, or until topping is lightly golden. Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley and serve hot.
Nancy
The carrots were so soft and creamy. It’s the perfect holiday side dish! Everyone was raving about it at our Easter brunch.
Chris
What a fancy recipe. Loved the flavors!
Keri
Just stopping by to let you know that we made this as a side dish for Easter, and everyone loved it! Thank you!
Jean
So creamy and tasty, we love having vegan meals and this carrots made the perfect side dish in our gathering.
Anaiah
I think this is my new favorite way to enjoy carrots! Super creamy and I love the crumb topping.
Jacqui
Another amazing recipe! It turned out to be absolutely divine – thanks so much for sharing.
Katie
This carrot au gratin recipe is simply divine! I will be making again soon!
thiswifecooks
Thanks, Katie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!