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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 Recipe
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 together 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 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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Back in the 80’s I used to make a broccoli casserole using process cheese. I stopped making it when I stopped eating processed food. I am glad to see a casserole with ingredients that are more health friendly.
Love this casserole for an Easter side dish. Kids actually like it too. Looking forward to Easter dinner.
I love this broccoli casserole!! Super tasty and great for picky eaters!! Takes no time to prepare and you just put it in the oven!! Easy and delicious!!
I totally agree with you! My picky eaters enjoyed every bite!
Everyone is present every time we have this cheesy and super delicious broccoli casserole! It is filled with flavors, scrumptious and addicting!
This broccoli casserole is a cozy, family-approved dish. Creamy, cheesy, and the crispy Ritz topping adds the perfect touch.
A family favorite – great for barbecue’s and family gatherings!
This was so creamy and I loved the texture of the crackers on top. We ended up eating the whole dish in one sitting!
Ah, I love recipes with a crumb topping! Perfect side dish, especially for my extended family parties where not everyone eats meat!
This was delicious! We took it to a family reunion and it was the first thing to disappear! Thank you.