Description
This Broccoli Cheddar Casserole is a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish featuring tender broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese baked in a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for family dinners or holiday meals, it’s easy to prepare and loved even by picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen broccoli, thawed and rough chopped
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 10.5 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 1 ¼ cups shredded Cheddar Cheese (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
- 1 Egg
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Topping
- ½ stick (4 tablespoons) melted Butter
- ½ sleeve Ritz Crackers (about 15 crackers)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Broccoli: Roughly chop the thawed frozen broccoli and place it in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the chopped onion, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, egg, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the bowl with broccoli. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the broccoli mixture evenly into a baking dish to prepare for the topping.
- Prepare Topping: Using a food processor, pulse the Ritz crackers until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. In a separate bowl, stir the melted butter into the crushed crackers until evenly coated.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, then add the buttered cracker crumbs on top to form a crunchy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm and enjoy this cheesy, comforting side dish.
Notes
- Fresh broccoli can be used instead of frozen; boil or steam it briefly and drain well before mixing.
- Alternative cream soups such as cream of cheddar, cream of mushroom, or cream of chicken with herbs work well for different flavors.
- If desired, substitute Ritz crackers with panko or seasoned breadcrumbs for the topping.
- This casserole pairs well with a variety of main dishes from casual dinners to holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli casserole, broccoli cheddar casserole, cheesy broccoli bake, comfort food side dish
