Our tasty Broccoli Casserole recipe has fork-tender broccoli in a creamy, cheesy sauce and is topped with buttery cracker crumbs.
My favorite part of holiday dinners is the side dishes! This broccoli casserole can easily be adapted to include other veggies, or it can be turned into a main dish by adding meat.
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Broccoli Casserole Ingredients
The ingredients for broccoli casserole are creamy and cheesy with a little seasoning. Although you can use low-fat substitutions, keep in mind that it will alter your results!
- Broccoli: This recipe calls for two heads of fresh broccoli cut into florets which makes about 8 cups of florets. You can use frozen broccoli if you prefer.
- Cheese: We used shredded sharp cheddar cheese for the flavor. You can also use another flavorful cheese, such as pepper jack.
- Condensed Soup: The base of the sauce is a can of condensed cream of chicken soup. You can also use cream of mushroom or cream of celery.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: The mayonnaise and sour cream add flavor and creaminess. You can use both as we do or use all of one or the other if you prefer.
- Onion: We use dried minced onion for the added flavor. You can use fresh minced onion or onion powder instead.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The Worcestershire sauce adds flavor to the casserole.
- Black Pepper: A little coarse ground black pepper goes a long way.
- Crackers: Crushed buttery crackers, such as Ritz, are the perfect topping!
- Butter: The melted butter is mixed into the crushed crackers for the topping.
How To Make Broccoli Casserole
There are only a few simple steps to making broccoli casserole. Par-cook the broccoli, add the creamy sauce ingredients, and bake until golden brown!
Broccoli: The broccoli needs to be partially cooked before adding it to the casserole. Put the broccoli in a large pot and add about two cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, add the lid, turn the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, drain the water from the broccoli.
Creamy Sauce: Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, dried minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, and coarse ground black pepper to the broccoli in the pot. Stir to combine everything. Then, spread the mixture in a greased casserole dish.
Topping: Mix together the crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.
Cook: Bake the broccoli casserole at 350˚F for 25-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Variations
You can swap out ingredients or add them as you see fit. Here are a few suggestions:
- Rice: Add a cup or two of cooked rice to the mixture before spreading it in the dish. You may need to stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk.
- Chicken: You can add cooked, cubed chicken to turn it into a main dish.
- Stuffing: Prepare the stuffing according to the package and spread it over the casserole instead of using the crushed ritz crackers.
- Veggies: Turn this into a veggie casserole by using a combination of vegetables instead of just broccoli.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you have to partially cook the broccoli before adding it to the casserole so that it becomes fork-tender while baking.
Yes, you can substitute fresh broccoli for frozen in this casserole.
For a thicker broccoli casserole sauce, drain the broccoli well and use full-fat ingredients. The shredded cheese, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, and sour cream work together to make a thick, creamy sauce.
More Side Dish Recipes To Try
- We always include Green Bean Casserole at holiday dinners.
- Homemade Garlic Mashed Potatoes are full of flavor.
- Delicious Honey Roasted Carrots are ready in less than 30 minutes!
- My mom passed this easy Dinner Rolls recipe down to me.
Broccoli Casserole
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cups broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10 ½ oz can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Put the broccoli florets in a large pot and add about two cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Cover the pot, turn the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes to partially cook the broccoli.
- Remove from the heat and drain the water. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, dried minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Spread the mixture in a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Mix the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter together and sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake at 350˚F for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly.
Notes
One: Variations
- Rice: Add a cup or two of cooked rice to the mixture before spreading it in the dish. You may need to stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk.
- Chicken: Shredded or cubed chicken can be added to turn it into a main dish.
- Stuffing: Prepare the stuffing according to the package and spread it over the casserole instead of using the crushed ritz crackers.
- Veggies: Turn this into a veggie casserole by using a combination of vegetables instead of just broccoli.
Rebecca says
We had this casserole as a side to go with burgers on the grill. This dish was the best!!!
Amy says
I found a new side dish!! Love this casserole.