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Even your pickiest eaters will love this creamy broccoli cheese casserole. It’s packed with veggies and covered in cheese!
Broccoli cheese casserole is similar to our 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 Tasty 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 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.
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 at least they’re eating the veggies!
How to Make Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Broccoli casserole with ritz crackers is simple and filling! It’s a staple in our house and will be in yours too!
PREP. Preheat oven to 350 °F and prep a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
SAUCE. Mix together the condensed soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, and egg in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
BROCCOLI. 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 break 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)
SEASON. 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 up this broccoli cheese casserole recipe:
- Add 1-2 cups of cooked White Rice to the broccoli mixture.
- Add 1-2 cups of cooked Shredded or cubed chicken to the broccoli mixture.
- Substitute the broccoli with cauliflower.
- Other vegetables you can add include chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, diced onions, or scallions.
- Panko crumbs with extra butter, or other types of buttery crackers, can be used in place of the Ritz crackers.
- Use fresh broccoli florets (blanched).
- Add extra flavor with some sea salt, black pepper, paprika, or red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
This broccoli cheese casserole with ritz crackers makes a great side dish to:
Storing Tips
Make ahead of time. 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.
STORE. Divide leftover easy broccoli cheese casserole 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 on the stovetop.
Recipe FAQ
Due to the cream of mushroom soup and Ritz crackers, this dish is not gluten-free. You can substitute the soup and crackers with a gluten-free variation.
You can use fresh broccoli florets but you will need to blanch them first. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Set a bowl of ice water next to the stove. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and cook for about 1-2 mins. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the florets to the ice water. Cool the florets off for another 2 minutes. Pat dry.
You do not need to cover the casserole while baking. If the cheese on top is browning before the casserole has fully baked, tent a piece of tin foil over the casserole for the remaining bake time.
For More Casseroles, Check Out:
- Green Bean Casserole
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
- Cheeseburger Casserole
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli, chopped
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- garlic salt with parsley flakes
- pepper, to taste
- 20 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups shredded chicken, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prep a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Mix the condensed soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, 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 break 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 9×13 baking dish. Use the rubber spatula to smooth the top and season with garlic salt and pepper.
- In a Ziploc bag mix the butter and crackers and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
When do you add sour cream?
You add it with the condensed soup and the mayo. It becomes a part of that mixture.
Does this casserole need to be covered while baking in oven? Does the frozen broccoli need to be steamed first or just put in the pan frozen?
You can bake this uncovered. It helps the topping get golden brown and that perfect crispy texture. And you can do either, but you can just put the broccoli in frozen. Just make sure if it is that it’s broken up so it can spread out evenly in the mixture.
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!
Where does the sour cream go?
Mixed with the mayo. Sorry, I need to add that. Enjoy!
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?
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 😉
I really love the crunch that the crackers give to this dish.
A classic casserole thats been around. I love dishes that can be made ahead of time.
The combination is perfection. I love the CRUNCHY ritz crackers on top! The perfect side dish to any meal!
What a delicious dish! I love the cheese, the crunch from the crackers, & the comfort this meal gives!
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!