Description
A creamy, cheesy casserole with tender broccoli and a crispy cracker topping. Perfect as a side dish or a main course, this dish is comforting, flavorful, and easy to customize.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, cooked and drained)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Steam or blanch fresh broccoli until tender-crisp. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain thoroughly.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix cream of mushroom/chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined and smooth. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted.
- Assemble the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the cooked broccoli evenly. Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli, ensuring it is well coated.
- Add the topping: Combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting dish as a side or a stand-alone meal!
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Ensure the broccoli is tender but still slightly firm before assembling the casserole. Overcooking will make it mushy, impacting the overall texture.
- Customize the Cheese Blend: For added depth of flavor, mix sharp cheddar with other cheeses like mozzarella, Parmesan, or even cream cheese for extra creaminess.
- Keep the Topping Crisp: Combine crushed crackers with melted butter to ensure they bake to a perfectly golden and crispy finish. For an extra crunch, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min