Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy.
Looking for the perfect side dish that’ll make everyone smile? You’ve got to try this broccoli cheese casserole with a crunchy Ritz Cracker topping.
It’s a big hit with the family, especially around the holidays, and goes great with all of the other holiday recipes piled on the plate! Trust me, even the fussiest eaters, whether they’re kids or grownups, can’t help but dig into this cheesy goodness.
Whip it up for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and watch how this quick and easy broccoli side dish disappears—there won’t be any leftovers, guaranteed!
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole: It’s a Classic Recipe!
No one will turn down the greens in this comfort food once they taste this cheesy, melty cheesy broccoli casserole topped with the perfect amount of Ritz cracker crunch.
Crowd Pleaser: This broccoli casserole’s unique blend of creamy cheese, tender broccoli, and crispy Ritz crackers is bound to please kids and adults.
Even those skeptical of vegetables will be reaching for seconds.
Easy to Make: Don’t be intimidated by the delicious results; this casserole recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare. Plus, broccoli cheese casserole with a buttery topping pairs well with almost anything.
Customizable: Feel like experimenting? You can tweak the casserole recipe to your favorite version with different cheeses, bites of chicken, or rice, or add extras like bacon or nuts for additional flavors and textures.
Casserole Ingredients
- 3–4 Crowns of Fresh Broccoli: Using fresh broccoli florets ensures a crisp texture and vibrant color; lightly steaming before adding to the casserole helps maintain its nutrients.
- Mayonnaise, Eggs, and Butter: Room-temperature eggs and butter will ensure they blend more smoothly.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: For a vegetarian option, cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup can be used instead.
- Diced White Onion: Adds a slight crunch and sweetness; chopping the onion finely helps it distribute evenly throughout the dish. Yellow onion is also acceptable to use.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Always season to taste; remember, it’s easier to add more later than correct over-seasoning. Keep in mind that soups typically have salt in them.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but shredding your own can offer a fresher taste.
- Ritz Crackers: Crushed buttery crackers provide a delightful crunch on top; be gentle when crushing to avoid turning them into a powdery consistency, as you want some texture for that perfect golden-brown finish.
Preventing the Sticky Situation: Preparing Your Pan
Cheese casseroles, like our yummy broccoli cheese casserole, love to cling to your pan.
Spray Well: Give that pan a good spray with cooking spray. It’ll make cleanup a breeze, and you won’t be stuck scraping off stubborn bits and crunchy topping for ages.
How to make Broccoli Cheese Casserole.
Preparation of the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Select a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, and apply a coat of non-stick cooking spray to remove the finished casserole easily.
Broccoli Preparation: Carefully divide the broccoli crowns into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniformity for even cooking. Steam or boil the broccoli until it becomes soft to the touch.
Arranging the Broccoli Layer: Place the cooked broccoli in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. This will form the bottom layer of your casserole.
Mixing of Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, and diced white onion. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is combined.
Integration of Eggs and Cheese: Into the same bowl, add both eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and season with salt and pepper as desired. Stir until well blended. Consistency is key.
Add Mixture to Broccoli Dish: Evenly distribute the creamy sauce mixture over the broccoli layer in the pan, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Final Layers: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the broccoli casserole, followed by a layer of crushed Ritz crackers.
Baking Instructions: Place the prepared baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.
Serving Recommendations: Allow the broccoli and cheese casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Broccoli Casserole Recipe Variations:
Soup Base: Substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup for a different taste.
Different Veggie Cheese Casserole: Feel free to experiment with various vegetables in the original recipe.
Rice Addition: Add cooked white rice if desired, but you may need to double the soup ingredients. Proceed cautiously, as this variation hasn’t been thoroughly tested in our kitchen.
Frozen vs. Fresh Broccoli: Which to Use in Ritz Broccoli Cheese Casserole?
What about using fresh or frozen broccoli? Both work in this delicious side dish, so breathe a sigh of relief!
Both fresh and frozen broccoli have their advantages, and either can be used to make a full-sized broccoli cheddar casserole for the dinner table or holiday table.
Frozen Broccoli Florets:
- Easy and Convenient: If you’re not into the fuss of steaming fresh broccoli, frozen is your friend. Just pop 2-3 16 oz. Bags into the microwave, cook, and drain any excess water.
- Trimming Tips: Once cooked, you might want to trim off the “tree” ends of the stalks, but that’s up to you.
Fresh Broccoli Florets:
- Great Taste: If you prefer fresh veggies, no problem at all! Just grab 3-4 crowns of fresh broccoli.
- Pre-Cooking is Key: You’ll need to pre-cook the fresh broccoli, as it won’t steam enough in the casserole. Steaming beforehand helps it reach the perfect texture.
Must-Try Casserole Dishes for Any Occasion
Cabbage Casserole: A hearty and comforting dish, this casserole combines tender cabbage with rice and beef.
Unstuffed Mushroom Casserole: This casserole brings the flavors of stuffed mushrooms into an easier-to-prepare baked dish, blending mushrooms with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole: Perfect for breakfast or brunch, this casserole layers crispy tater tots with eggs and cheese for an incredible holiday morning.
Best Corn Casserole Recipe: A classic side dish, corn casserole combines sweet corn with creamed corn, butter, and a cake mix for a rich and sweet accompaniment to any meal.
Green Bean Casserole from Scratch: Often a holiday favorite, green bean casserole blends green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions.
Zucchini Tomato Casserole: This casserole celebrates summer flavors, layering sliced zucchini and tomatoes with cheese and herbs and baking until bubbly and golden.
Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Equipment
- 9 x 13 pan
- nonstick spray
Ingredients
- 3-4 crowns fresh broccoli cooked and drained NOTE: You will need 3-4 crowns (not stalks). See notes to use frozen broccoli.
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/4 cup diced white onion
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1-1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9 x 13 baking pan. Spray it with some nonstick cooking spray so everything slides out smoothly later.
- Prepare the Broccoli: Cut the fresh broccoli crowns into bite-sized pieces, then either steam or boil them until they're soft. See notes if you are using bagged frozen broccoli.
- Layer the Broccoli: Next, spread the cooked broccoli on the bottom of your casserole dish.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, and diced white onion. Mix everything together until well blended.
- Add Eggs and Cheese: Into the same bowl, stir in both eggs, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to mix it well.
- Combine with Broccoli: Spread this cheesy mixture over the broccoli in the pan, smoothing out so all broccoli is smothered.
- Top It Off: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, followed by crushed Ritz crackers.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until it's heated all the way through. As all ovens heat at different temperatures, it's best to watch yours so there is no overcooking.
- Serve: Once baked, take broccoli casserole out and let it cool for a few minutes, then serve it up. You've just made a side dish that's sure to be a hit!
Video
Notes
How to steam fresh broccoli:
- Wash and Cut: Rinse broccoli and cut into even pieces.
- Boil Water: Fill a pot with an inch of water and bring to a boil.
- Add Broccoli to Steamer: Put the broccoli in a steamer basket inside the pot.
- Cover and Cook: Cover the pot and steam for 4-7 minutes until tender.
- Check and Serve: Poke with a fork to see if it’s done; season and serve.
How to use Frozen Broccoli:
You will need approx. 2-3 16 oz. frozen bags of broccoli for a full-sized casserole.- Microwave the Broccoli: Follow the package instructions to microwave the frozen florets or steam them until they’re tender.
- Drain Excess Water: Pat the cooked florets dry with a paper towel to remove any extra moisture.
- Use in Casserole: Add the cooked and drained broccoli to your casserole recipe as directed.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Make sure to follow Salty Side Dish on Pinterest and rate the recipe here and make sure to leave a comment below!
What size can of soup do you use? The recipe isn’t specific.
Just a regular size can of soup
can I prepare this the day before and then bake it the next day?
hi Marie! So I havent prepared it the night before cause my fridge is small, BUT I would say it would not be an issue. Just wait to add the cheese on the top and give it a quick stir the morning to mix everything one more time before you plan on putting it in oven (just in case your mayo or eggs have settled at all) add the cheese topper and pop in the oven. Nothing in the ingredients should give you any issues on make ahead preparation.
Sour cream??? Not listed in ingredients.
Oh, haha, I didnt mean to say that. I was just answering someone else that asked if they could substitute sour cream in the recipe so my fingers typed it again. So sorry!
I tried this recipe and love it? I did mushroom soup and and added some baby bella mushrooms. Thank you for sharing a good recipe
Can I use 1 cup sour cream to replace 1 cup mayo and add some lemon juice?
Yes, it should work just fine that way. I dont see any reason that it wouldnt be a good substitution.
Can you double the recipe to feed a crowd?
Hi Mary beth, I do not believe there would be an issue with doubling this recipe. I would just try to make sure I didnt pile it high but rather used a longer and wider casserole dish. The only caution I would say is anytime you double a recipe, its hard to know the exact timing on it and you may have to adjust to a longer cooking time if you have a thicker depth to make sure everything gets cooked evenly. Ill have to double this recipe before Christmas to test it for sure and update the post. Its a little late for me to do it for Thanksgiving since thats in a few days, but Ill make sure I alter it soon.
Thank you!
Do you cover when baking
I added 4 small cans drained mushrooms and switched in mushroom soup and it looks like it will work fine. My grandchildren love broccoli and mushrooms so I want to reward them for that. Thanks for an easy recipe, my favorites.
Thanks for sharing your awesome recipe additions!!
Any guess as to an approximate CUP measurement of the fresh broccoli? (I bought a bag of fresh florets from Costco and have no idea how that translates to crowns, lol). I’d dofrozen but need to use these before they go bad. #bulkprobs 😁
Do you think there is anyway to omit the eggs in this receipe?
Hi Nicole, so Ill be honest – I have never done that before so I always have a hard time answering a big recipe change without testing it. That being said, looking over the recipe, I don’t see any real reason that this casserole cannot be made and still taste great without eggs.
I made it the first time I forgot the onions everybody I liked it, I made it again and I made it with Asparagus and Brussel sprout this time I put the onions in red onion it is so good next time I make it I’m going try greens
I love that you are experimenting with the casserole with other veggies – thats a great way to get some variation! I am a HUGE fan of brussel sprouts AND asparagus both!
Can Sour cream or Philadelphia cream (whipped type) be used in the place of Mayo.
Can a cup of cooked Uncle Ben long grain rice be used in this recipe.
I have used 1/2 can of Cream of bacon mixed w/ real bacon.
1 can of Cream of Broccoli instead of the mushroom.
Have family members allgeric to all type of mushroom.
Found that Veleveeta cheese sauce does great w/ this recipe. I mix it up the cream of Broccoli soup w/ the cheese sauce.
After the layer of crackers crumbs, I will add shredded cheese & fresh bacon bits. Bake it.
I have gotten the dish baked until 1 or 2 before done add the shredded cheese & fresh bacon bits on top of the crackers. Bake until those last 2 minutes expires too.
It would alter the taste, but sour cream should be ok to alter. I personally think cream cheese would be too thick.
Used fresh cauliflower as well yum
I added chicken to it to make it a full meal and served it with a side salad. I also steamed some frozen broccoli for 5 minutes and used that instead of fresh. I upped the temp to 375 and baked for 30 min. because I was running behind. Delicious recipe and a new go to for sure!
We always made this with frozen chopped broccoli and cream of celery soup. Been gobbling it up for thirty years. LOL
I have been making this for years. Always a hit with everyone!
Broccoli casserole is a hit here too!
I really liked this recipe. Because it was easy and cheesy….and a lot of people enjoyed it….it was a little different from the others recipe but that is what I liked about it…..I plan to make this for my church friends next time we get together…..great recipe…..
Do you know if it freezes well?
No, I have never personally frozen broccoli cheese casserole. In general though, I don’t like freezing anything cheese because of possible separation.
Do you know approximately how many cups of fresh broccoli if we are using steam bag fresh florets?
3 fresh crowns: 3 x 2 = 6 cups (this varies on size of crown/pieces)
4 fresh crowns: 4 x 2 = 8 cups (same above)
A 16-ounce (1 pound) bag of broccoli typically translates to about 4 to 5 cups, so use 2.
As long as it fits in your pan and mixes up fine, the recipe will be fine. Its mostly flexible.
I tried this recipe and love it? I did mushroom soup and and added some baby bella mushrooms. Thank you for sharing a good recipe
I don’t have sharp cheddar
Could not find in our local store lol
So nothing that’s fancy as that available either -just cheddar med, mild and old and mozza
I think Medium or mild cheddar would work just fine!
Can this be made in advance and then reheated? I need to travel a couple of hours by car.
The crackers would soften too much, so if you make ahead, leave those off till the reheat point 🙂