Description
Creamy Easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with nostalgic midwestern charm. Cheesy goodness and tender broccoli combine in a simple side dish you’ll crave at family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups / 1 lb / 450 g broccoli florets
- 2 cups / 200 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can / 10.5 oz / 300 g condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup / 120 ml mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 cup / 100 g crushed buttery crackers (such as Ritz)
- 2 tbsps / 30 g unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and coat a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Broccoli Preparation: Transform broccoli into tender florets. For fresh produce, blanch in boiling water and quickly cool in ice water. Drain frozen broccoli thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
- Creamy Fusion: Whisk condensed soup, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and most of the cheddar cheese into a smooth mixture. Fold broccoli into the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Assembly: Transfer the broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Scatter remaining cheese across the top for a rich, melted finish.
- Crispy Topping: Crush crackers and blend with melted butter. Distribute the golden crumb mixture uniformly over the casserole, creating a crunchy layer.
- Baking: Position the casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges bubble and the topping turns golden brown, signaling perfect doneness.
- Serving: Rest the casserole briefly to allow flavors to meld and temperature to stabilize. Plate as a delectable side dish or comforting main course.
Notes
- Broccoli Blanching Technique: Perfectly blanch broccoli to maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture by boiling for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transferring to ice water to stop cooking process.
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain frozen or fresh broccoli to prevent watery casserole, using a colander or paper towels to remove excess liquid before mixing.
- Cheese Selection Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or mixed cheese blends to customize flavor profile and add depth to the dish.
- Cracker Topping Alternatives: Replace traditional crackers with gluten-free options, panko breadcrumbs, or crushed nuts for dietary modifications and added crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg