A creamy combination of broccoli and cheese, topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping! Even your pickiest eaters will love this Broccoli Cheese Casserole!
This recipe is similar to our Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole, but without chicken and a different cream base. Give both a try! And while you’re at it, check out all of our favorite casserole recipes!
A Delish Combo – Broccoli + Cheese
Casseroles are the ultimate dinner recipe, and quite frankly they don’t get enough credit. They’re usually filled with veggies, protein, and other simple ingredients that combine to create amazing flavors! This casserole especially has one of my favorite flavor combos: Broccoli + Cheese!
If you’ve been following along for a while, you may have seen my Broccoli Cheese Soup or even the Broccoli Braid (filled with cheese of course!). Well this Broccoli Cheese Casserole has all those same delicious flavors of broccoli and cheese, plus a tasty crushed Ritz cracker topping on top. (YUM)
Even my pickiest eaters will eat this casserole and hardly be bothered by the greens. I mean, it’s probably the fact it’s smothered with cheese, but hey… At least they’re eating the veggies. 😉
How to Make Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
PREP. Preheat oven to 350 °F and prep a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
FILLING. Mix together the condensed soup, mayonnaise, and egg in a medium sized mixing bowl. Place all three packages of broccoli into a large bowl (I like to use my large stainless steel bowl to mix this recipe thoroughly). Be sure to beak up the frozen broccoli florets. Next, use a rubber spatula to empty the mayo mixture on top of the broccoli. Mix well. Add the cheese and mix again.
(If you are adding the chicken, mix it in now)
TOPPING. Transfer the broccoli mixture to the 9×13 baking dish. Use the rubber spatula to smooth the top and then season with garlic salt and pepper. In a Ziploc bag mix together the butter and crackers and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
BAKE. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
Variation Ideas
Here are a few ways to change this up…
- Add 1-2 c cooked white rice to the broccoli mixture
- Add 1-2 c cooked shredded or cubed chicken to the broccoli mixture
- Substitute the broccoli with cauliflower
- Panko crumbs with extra butter can be used in place of the ritz crackers
- Add sliced mushrooms
- Add diced onions or scallions
- Use fresh broccoli florets (blanched)
Storing tips + side ideas
Can you make this ahead of time? Yes! Assemble all but the Ritz crackers. Cover and store in the fridge for 1-2 days. To prep for the freezer wrap with plastic wrap then again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw if frozen, add the ritz crackers and bake uncovered according to the recipe directions.
How to store leftovers? Divide leftovers into individual serving size containers. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months. Heat in the microwave or even on the stove top.
What are some sides to serve with this?
For more casseroles, check out:
- Easy Green Bean Casserole
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Slow Cooker Hashbrown Casserole
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1- 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 c mayonnaise
- 1/2 c sour cream
- 1 egg beaten
- 3- 10 oz packages frozen broccoli chopped
- 12 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 20 Ritz crackers crushed
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 2 c shredded chicken optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F and prep a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Mix together the condensed soup, mayonnaise, and egg in a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Place all three packages of broccoli into a large bowl. (I like to use my large stainless steel bowl to mix this recipe thoroughly) Be sure to beak up the frozen broccoli florets. Next, use a rubber spatula to empty the mayo mixture on top of the broccoli. Mix well. Add the cheese and mix again. (If you are adding the chicken, mix it in now)
- Transfer the broccoli mixture to the 9x13 baking dish. Use the rubber spatula to smooth the top and then season with garlic salt and pepper.
- In a Ziploc bag mix together the butter and crackers and sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
My mom made this a ton growing up & I have always loved it! I make it for my family now & they all love how cheesy it is!
What a delicious dish! I love the cheese, the crunch from the crackers, & the comfort this meal gives!
The combination is perfection. I love the CRUNCHY ritz crackers on top! The perfect side dish to any meal!
A classic casserole thats been around. I love dishes that can be made ahead of time.
I really love the crunch that the crackers give to this dish.
When do you add the sour cream in?
Right?! Thank you
What do you do with the Sour cream??
I was wanting to know the same thing! I just mixed it in with the Mayo mixture.
Yes, so sorry. I will need to add that. Mix with the mayo 😉
Do you have to thaw and drain the BROCCOLI before mixing it with the other ingredients, or do you mix it while its still Frozen?
Where does the sour cream go?
Mixed with the mayo. Sorry, I need to add that. Enjoy!
I LOVE this recipe! It definitely over exceeded my expectations and was everything and more that I wanted it to be! I added chopped rotisserie chicken to make it our main dish. The best part is that the leftovers heated up nicely too! I loved it so much, I’m adding it as a side dish to our Christmas dinner this year!