When it comes to comfort food, this broccoli casserole really hits the spot! With cheesy goodness and tender broccoli, it’s a dish that warms up even the busiest weeknight dinners.
This broccoli casserole recipe addresses issues of blandness and lack of texture that often occur in traditional comfort dishes often served at home.
I’ve faced my share of challenges while cooking casseroles, from too much liquid creating messes to not enough flavor. This recipe solves those issues effortlessly, ensuring a satisfying meal every time. With friends and family over unexpectedly, it’s a lifesaver.
What I love about this dish is how quickly it comes together. In just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a hot, cheesy casserole that’s sure to please everyone.
If you’re looking for another delicious way to use broccoli, check out my Broccolini Frittata.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Rich, Cheesy Goodness , The generous amount of cheddar cheese creates a gooey texture that pairs beautifully with tender broccoli. This casserole is a comforting dish that delivers on flavor.
- Elevated Nutrition , Fresh broccoli florets pack a nutritious punch, providing essential vitamins and minerals. This dish offers a tasty way to include more vegetables in your meals.
- Crispy, Crunchy Topping , Finely crushed Ritz crackers sprinkle over the top, adding a satisfying crunch that contrasts the creamy filling. It’s a texture you’ll love with each forkful.
- Make Ahead Convenience , Prepping this casserole in advance is easy, allowing you to save time on busy days. It can be assembled ahead and baked right before serving, making it a reliable choice for gatherings.
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole For Crowds
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A creamy, cheesy baked broccoli casserole with cheddar and a crunchy Ritz cracker topping , a gluten-free friendly side that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (about 480g) broccoli florets, fresh, firm and vibrant green
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces / 305g) condensed cream of mushroom soup, good quality
- 3/4 cup (180g) mayonnaise
- 2 large eggs
- 1/21/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/41/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated and divided
- 1 cup (57g) Ritz crackers, finely crushed
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This will ensure it is ready for baking the casserole evenly.
- Step 2: Steam the Broccoli: Place the broccoli florets and diced onion in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a wet paper towel and microwave on high for 3 minutes. This steams the broccoli until it is just tender, preserving texture without overcooking. If broccoli becomes mushy, reduce steaming time to 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Mix the Ingredients: Drain any excess water from the broccoli and onion. Add the melted butter, condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, kosher salt, black pepper, and 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is fully combined and no streaks of soup or mayonnaise remain, ensuring even flavor and texture.
- Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish: Pour the broccoli mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread evenly to promote uniform cooking and a golden crust.
- Step 5: Add the Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese over the top, then evenly distribute the finely crushed Ritz crackers. Press the cracker topping down lightly to help it adhere during baking, which aids in forming a crunchy crust.
- Step 6: Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown. In case the topping does not brown sufficiently, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store the casserole in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep covered to prevent drying out.
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Freezing: Place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- For best flavor and texture, use fresh broccoli florets that are firm and vibrant green without yellowing. Avoid limp stalks for crunch.
- Grate sharp cheddar from a block for better melting and taste rather than pre-grated cheese.
- If the casserole turns out watery, try reducing the condensed cream of mushroom soup to 3/4 of a can to lower moisture content.
- If leftovers seem dry when reheating, add a splash of vegetable stock or water to restore moisture.
- Thorough mixing ensures even distribution of flavors and creamy texture; do not leave streaks of soup or mayo unmixed.
- Reheat leftovers thoroughly in a preheated oven or microwave. If dry, add a little vegetable stock or water before reheating to maintain moisture.
- Serve this casserole alongside a simple green salad or roasted asparagus. Garlic bread or gluten-free rolls pair well to complete the meal. Add freshness with chopped parsley or chives on top, or a light drizzle of lemon butter or hot sauce for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the Ritz cracker topping with crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Use baked potato as a base and top it with this casserole for a hearty alternative meal.
- Add fresh minced garlic for more aromatic flavor, avoiding pre-minced garlic to maintain pungency.
- Choose a medium sweet onion and dice finely so it blends well during cooking.
- Butter should be unsalted to control salt balance in the dish and add richness.
- Use long-grain white rice (uncooked) for a fluffy texture if adding rice separately; brown rice requires longer cooking time.
- Opt for canned cream of mushroom soup that is thick or use homemade for richer creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/8 of the casserole (1 serving)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli works best here. Look for firm, vibrant green florets without any yellowing. Avoid limp stalks for a crunchy texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar adds great flavor to the casserole. Choose a block that you can grate yourself for better melting and taste, pre-grated stuff can be less flavorful.
- Rice: Long-grain white rice is my go-to; it stays fluffy and absorbs flavors well. Make sure it’s uncooked for a good texture in the final dish. Brown rice can be used, but it’ll need extra cooking time.
- Cream of mushroom soup: A good-quality canned version enhances creaminess and flavor. If you prefer, you can use homemade if you have it on hand, just make sure it’s thick.
- Onion: A medium sweet onion will add sweetness and depth. Dice it finely so it blends well into the casserole while cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced, will elevate the flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic as it loses its punch; freshly minced will give you that aromatic kick.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness without too much saltiness. It helps bind the ingredients and adds flavor, so opt for quality to ensure your casserole shines.
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli works best here. Look for firm, vibrant green florets without any yellowing. Avoid limp stalks for a crunchy texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar adds great flavor to the casserole. Choose a block that you can grate yourself for better melting and taste, pre-grated stuff can be less flavorful.
- Rice: Long-grain white rice is my go-to; it stays fluffy and absorbs flavors well. Make sure it’s uncooked for a good texture in the final dish. Brown rice can be used, but it’ll need extra cooking time.
- Cream of mushroom soup: A good-quality canned version enhances creaminess and flavor. If you prefer, you can use homemade if you have it on hand, just make sure it’s thick.
- Onion: A medium sweet onion will add sweetness and depth. Dice it finely so it blends well into the casserole while cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced, will elevate the flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic as it loses its punch; freshly minced will give you that aromatic kick.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness without too much saltiness. It helps bind the ingredients and adds flavor, so opt for quality to ensure your casserole shines.
Recipe Tips
- If broccoli appears mushy after microwaving, shorten the steaming time to 2 minutes to achieve a tender yet crisp texture.
- When casserole is watery post-baking, try reducing the cream of mushroom soup to 3/4 can to decrease overall moisture content.
- If the topping doesn’t brown, broil it for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.
- For even flavor distribution, mix the ingredients thoroughly until no streaks of soup or mayonnaise remain before pouring into the baking dish.
- If leftovers seem dry after storage, reheat with a splash of vegetable stock or water, adding moisture back before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside a simple green salad or roasted asparagus for a fresh touch. Incorporate garlic bread or gluten-free rolls to complement the dish.
Use to make a gluten-free version by substituting the crackers with crushed gluten-free options. Add to a baked potato for a hearty meal or as a topping on a fresh green salad.
Top with a drizzle of lemon butter or hot sauce for added flavor. Consider fresh chopped parsley or chives for extra freshness and color.
Recipe variations
- You can use fresh broccoli florets, about 6 cups, as stated in the recipe, which provide texture and color to this broccoli casserole.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper to the mixture for seasoning, blending thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Either fresh or frozen broccoli can be used in this recipe. If using frozen, thaw and drain well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- If serving a larger group, you can double the casserole ingredients and bake in a larger dish, adjusting bake time to about 40 to 45 minutes.
- This broccoli casserole goes well when served with light protein dishes. It can be paired effectively with my Chicken Wild Rice Casserole for a filling meal.
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How to Store?
To keep your cheesy broccoli casserole fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Keep covered to avoid drying out during this period.
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Maintain freshness up to 5 days and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Freezing: Use a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
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