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broccoli cheese casserole recipe

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 People
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups  fresh or frozen broccoli florets
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup  sour cream
  • 2 cups  shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup  mayonnaise
  • 1/4  teaspoon  garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon  onion powder
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup  crushed Ritz crackers (optional
  • 1/4 cup  melted butter (for the Ritz cracker topping)
  • 1/2 cup  Cheese Whiz (for an extra creamy, cheesy flavor)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, you can start preparing the casserole ingredients.
  2. If you’re using fresh broccoli, steam or blanch it for 3–4 minutes until it’s bright green and slightly tender. For frozen broccoli, you can microwave it for about 3–5 minutes until thawed. 
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. If you’re using Cheese Whiz, now’s the time to stir it in.
  4. Add the steamed broccoli to the cheese mixture and gently fold it together. If you’re adding cooked rice to the casserole, mix it in at this step. 
  5. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Pour the broccoli and cheese mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
  6. For a crispy, buttery topping, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and golden brown on top. 

Notes

  1. Fresh vs. Frozen Broccoli: Both fresh and frozen broccoli work well, but fresh broccoli has a firmer texture. If you’re short on time, frozen is perfectly fine as long as it’s drained thoroughly.
  2. Don’t Skip the Topping: The buttery Ritz cracker topping adds crunch and flavor. You can also use crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs as alternatives.
  3. Cheese Choice Matters: Sharp cheddar cheese offers the most flavor, but you can experiment with other cheeses like gouda, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for a unique twist.
  4. Make it Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add 5–10 minutes to the baking time to account for the chilled ingredients.