Get ready to rediscover a classic comfort food that truly delivers on flavor and ease! This delightful broccoli cheddar casserole is a creamy, cheesy masterpiece, perfect for any occasion. It combines tender broccoli with a rich, savory sauce and a crispy topping, creating an irresistible side dish or light meal.
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, broccoli offers numerous health benefits.
Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner solution or a crowd-pleasing addition to your holiday table, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
- Quick and Simple: With minimal prep and straightforward steps, this casserole comes together effortlessly.
- Irresistibly Creamy and Cheesy: A rich sauce blankets the broccoli, creating a satisfying texture and flavor.
- Uses Fresh or Frozen Broccoli: Easily adaptable based on what you have on hand, ensuring convenience.
- Perfect for Family Meals: A hearty, comforting dish that even picky eaters will enjoy.
- Great for Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare it in advance and bake later, saving you time on busy days.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your next amazing broccoli cheddar casserole:
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 bunches)
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cheese crackers, crushed
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily use frozen broccoli instead of fresh; simply ensure it’s thawed and very well drained to prevent a watery casserole. For the best flavor and melt, grate your own sharp cheddar cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melt and texture. If cream of mushroom soup isn’t your preference, feel free to use cream of chicken soup or a homemade béchamel sauce. Substitute dried minced onion with 1/4 cup finely diced fresh onion, sautéed until tender. For the topping, Ritz crackers, Club crackers, or even seasoned breadcrumbs make excellent alternatives to cheese crackers.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this easy broccoli cheddar casserole recipe. Have a large pot ready for boiling water. You will also need a spacious mixing bowl for combining the sauce ingredients. Finally, a 2-quart casserole dish, or an 8×8-inch baking dish, is essential for baking your delicious creation.
Instructions
Making this broccoli cheddar casserole is super simple. Just follow these steps for a perfect, cheesy result every time. Your prep time is only 5 minutes, and the cooking time is 45 minutes.
Step 1: Prepare Broccoli. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add your fresh broccoli florets and boil them for exactly 2 minutes. This brief cooking time ensures the broccoli is tender-crisp, not mushy. Immediately drain the broccoli thoroughly, shaking off any excess water.
Step 2: Mix Creamy Sauce Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the can of cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and large eggs. Stir these together until they are well blended and smooth. Next, add the dried minced onion and the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese to the mixture. Mix everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy sauce.
Step 3: Combine Broccoli and Sauce, Transfer to Dish. Pour the prepared creamy sauce over the drained broccoli in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss everything together until the broccoli florets are completely coated with the cheesy sauce. Make sure a 2-quart casserole dish (or an 8×8-inch baking dish) is greased to prevent sticking. Carefully pour the broccoli and sauce mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
Step 4: Top with Crushed Crackers. Take your cheese crackers and crush them into coarse crumbs. You can do this by hand, in a food processor, or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. Evenly sprinkle these crushed cracker crumbs over the top of the broccoli mixture in the casserole dish. This will create a wonderfully golden and crispy topping.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The casserole is ready when the sauce is bubbly, and the cracker topping is beautifully golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let it stand for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Perfecting the Broccoli: Avoid overcooking the broccoli in the initial boil. A quick 2-minute boil keeps it tender-crisp, preventing a mushy texture in your final casserole.
Achieving Creaminess: Ensure all the sauce ingredients, especially the eggs, are well combined before adding the broccoli. This creates a smooth, consistent creamy base for your broccoli cheddar casserole.
Crispy Topping: For an extra golden and crisp topping, you can lightly toast the crushed crackers in a dry pan for a few minutes before sprinkling them on.
Preventing Watery Casserole: Always drain your broccoli thoroughly after boiling. Excess water is a common culprit for a runny casserole.
Flavor Boosts: Enhance the savoriness by adding a pinch of garlic powder or a generous grind of fresh black pepper to the sauce mixture.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile broccoli cheddar casserole makes an incredible side or a light main course.
Serving Suggestions: Pair this rich casserole with roasted chicken, baked ham, grilled steak, or simple pork chops for a complete meal. It also shines next to a holiday turkey or a simple green salad for a lighter option.
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze baked and cooled casserole for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Tips: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm throughout. For a crispier topping, reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Make-Ahead Instructions: Assemble the entire broccoli cheddar casserole up to the point of baking, but do not add the cracker topping. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge, add the cracker topping, and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting cold.
Healthy Variations: For a lighter version, swap regular mayonnaise for light mayonnaise. You can also use reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Consider using a healthier homemade cream of mushroom soup substitute.
Additional Veggies: Feel free to mix in other quick-cooking vegetables like diced carrots, peas, or corn for added color and nutrition.
Protein Boost: Transform this side dish into a complete meal by folding in 1-2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken, diced ham, or even cooked sausage along with the broccoli.
Nutrition
Enjoying this delicious broccoli cheddar casserole is a satisfying experience. Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, based on 10 servings per recipe. Please note that these are approximations and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 285 kcal |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 70mg |
| Sodium | 550mg |
| Total Carbs | 10g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 7g |
FAQ
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Yes, absolutely! Just make sure the frozen broccoli is completely thawed and very well drained to prevent your casserole from becoming watery.
What kind of cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar cheese offers the best flavor for this broccoli cheddar casserole. However, you can also use mild cheddar, a cheddar-jack blend, or even a Gruyère for a different twist.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Assemble the casserole without the cracker topping, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the topping just before baking.
How do I prevent the casserole from becoming watery?
The key is to drain your broccoli very thoroughly after boiling. Excess moisture from the broccoli is the main reason for a watery casserole.
Can I add meat to this casserole?
Definitely! Cooked shredded chicken, diced ham, or even crumbled bacon are wonderful additions to make this a heartier meal.
What if I don’t have cheese crackers?
No problem! Ritz crackers, Club crackers, or seasoned breadcrumbs are excellent substitutes for the topping, providing a similar crispy texture.
Conclusion
This easy broccoli cheddar casserole truly embodies comfort food at its best. Its creamy, cheesy goodness combined with tender broccoli and a crispy topping makes it an instant hit for any meal. We know you will adore how simple it is to prepare, fitting perfectly into busy schedules while still delivering incredible flavor. We encourage you to whip up this amazing broccoli cheddar casserole tonight. Share your thoughts and ratings below; we love hearing from you!