Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a comforting and cheesy baked dish featuring tender steamed broccoli mixed with creamy soup, mayonnaise, and sharp cheddar cheese, topped with crunchy Ritz crackers for the perfect golden crust. Ideal for a family dinner side or a vegetarian main, it offers rich flavors and a satisfying texture that’s easy to prepare.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Dairy & Eggs
- 1 1/2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
Condiments & Pantry
- 1 (10 ounce) can of cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip (or Greek yogurt or sour cream as alternatives)
- 1/2 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready when your casserole mixture is prepared.
- Steam Broccoli: Place the chopped broccoli in a steaming basket over boiling water on the stove and steam for 5 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Chop Broccoli: Remove the steamed broccoli from the stove, chop any large stems into bite-sized pieces, and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, melted butter, beaten eggs, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper to the broccoli. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Cheese: Stir in 3/4 cup of the extra sharp cheddar cheese into the broccoli mixture evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray an 8×8 inch square casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the broccoli and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese over the top, followed by the crushed Ritz crackers for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for mayonnaise to add a tangier flavor and reduce fat.
- For a vegetarian version, use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken.
- Make sure to steam broccoli just until tender to avoid a mushy casserole.
- Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing and serving.
Keywords: broccoli cheese casserole, baked broccoli dish, easy vegetable casserole, cheesy broccoli bake, comfort food casserole