Collard Greens au Gratin combines a lusciously creamy sauce topped with a cheesy panko crust. With each bite, this side dish is full of crunch and a decadently creamy goodness that is sure to make this southern veggie the star of of your holiday table.
Collard Greens are a staple at our Holiday meal each year. This year I thought I would fancy up these beautiful leafy greens and with a little spin off on my Spinach au Gratin. Now, Collard Greens are delightful all on their own, but boy after making this version I might be eating some of my own words. Like "all collards needs is a little vinegar and pepper sauce."
It's a southern thing ya'll, but so is cheese and breading right??? So, I guess I won't be saying that anymore!! 🙂
The crunch in each bite of creamy collards keeps you coming back for another bite and another and just one more ... This Southern Tradition just got kicked up a notch and I am here to share it with you my friend!! Oh and I guess I will be sharing with my family too 😉
10 Great Holiday Side Dish and Dessert Recipes??
- Baked Mac N Cheese
- Easy Coconut Cream Pie
- Instant Pot Garlic Butter Green Beans
- Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie
- Shelly’s Pasta Salad
- Southern Style Green Beans
- Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
- Strawberry Margarita Pizza
Give this a try you won't regret it - plus find a some great Holiday Casseroles my Sunday Supper friends are sharing below!
What holiday meal traditions do you share with your Family?
Does your family stick to a traditional meal each year or do you change it up a bit?? And do you share in the making of the meal or does one person host and cook the entire meal?? Head on down to the comments or join us on social media and let us know!
Pin this - Collard Greens Au Gratin - for later!
Collard Greens au Gratin
Ingredients
Collard Greens
- 1 pound Collard Greens, stems removed and torn, (I buy baged in store and already cut and washed)
- 3 strips bacon, roughly cut
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- salt to taste
- pinch sugar
- few dashes of hot sauce, (optional)
Sauce and Topping
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup sweet onion, diced
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- 1 cup six cheese italian or parmesan cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 cup asiago cheese, grated and divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large pot or dutch oven fry bacon until lightly browned and cooked. Add in rest of Collard Green ingredients and bring to a boil then reduce to medium hear and cook for about 30 minutes.
- Drain in colander and place on cutting board and finely chop. Wrap with paper towels and press to remove water.
- In a sauce pot bring milk, cream and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet. Add onion and saute until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add flour, whisk to combine and cook for 1 minute. Add cream mixture and whisk until mixed. Add nutmeg, ½ cup of Asiago and ½ cup Italian or Parmesan cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted.
- Add collard greens and mix well. Remove from burner.
- In a bowl combine panko crumbs and remaining cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the collard mixture. Place in oven and bake for 30 to 40 minute or until is golden brown.
- Remove and Serve.
Carolyn Ingram says
This looks like the perfect dinner! I can't wait to try making it!
[email protected] says
Thank you so much Carolyn! I so hope you enjoy it! May you have a blessed Thanksgiving! I'd love for you to come back and let me know how it goes!
Gratefully,
Nikki
Annie Heminger says
Hello Nikki!
I made this for a work event with "southern recipes." It won a prize! This is a delicious recipe and I plan on offering it at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I cooked the collard greens in my pressure cooker (not Instapot) in 7 minutes with a slow release. That makes the prep go much faster. Thank you and God Bless!
Annie H.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Yay for the WIN! That is fabulous! I love making collards in the IP. I need to get that recipe on the blog! Thank you so much for sharing my recipe with friends and stopping by! Love and Blessings, Nikki
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Never seen collard greens au gratin...good idea!
[email protected] says
Thank you Jocelyn! They are so tasty! You can't really go wrong with collards can you!!
XOXO,
Nikki
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
I love this twist! It sounds delicious!
[email protected] says
Thank you so very much Megan!
Erin Clarkson says
This looks amazing! I have some collards in the fridge I'm not quite sure what to do with - now I do!
[email protected] says
Perfect timing then! I hope you enjoy it!
Caroline says
This looks delicious and love your photos!
[email protected] says
Thank you Caroline! I truly appreciate it!
XOXO - Nikki
Carlee says
I absolutely love this idea! I have never made collard greens at home but love them when we are out. I really should give this a go! Thanks so much for sharing at our sides and pie event. I pinned this and can't wait to make it!
[email protected] says
Thank you so much Carlee! It's my pleasure to share and I am getting lots of great recipes at the event! I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does!
Gratefully,
Nikki
Wendy Klik says
I love learning about how others celebrate and the traditions they hold. Thanks for sharing.
[email protected] says
Thank you for coming by Wendy! I love to hear others stories as well! To me this is what the season is about sharing, thankfulness and lots of love. Oh and I cannot forget the great food!! 😉
marye says
You already know what I think of this dish. SO help me tomorrow I'm getting the stuff and making it all for myself. Brilliant!
[email protected] says
Marye you are so sweet! I really can say I love this dish and I hope you do as well! I cannot wait to hear what you think <3
Wimpy Vegetarian says
This is a perfect way to eat collards! I'm going to look for some good ones at the market this week so I can make this. I love how it sounds and looks!!
[email protected] says
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy! Fresh greens from the market are the best! 🙂
Kathy Henneke says
I made this yesterday because my family loves collards, & this was delicious❣️ They were all gone when I remembered I forgot to take a picture! I must tell you... I sent my daughter to the grocery to get the collards. She brought back collards with stems as big around as my thumb! Needless to say, our chickens had collards for supper & will thru next week! I couldn’t get them tender. My husband went to our neighbors greenhouse & got some nice, fresh, small stem collards. Oh, it was all worth it❣️everyone enjoyed this, & my son asked when I can make it again, & to triple the recipe! In the reviews, many say they never made greens before... you might post how to select fresh tasty, tender greens, just a thought. Nikki, thank you for all your tasty recipes!!
Liz says
Now THIS is one scrumptious way to add more greens to your diet!! Perfect for the holidays!
[email protected] says
I agree Liz!! Since it leafy greens that cream and cheese does count towards calories right - lol!