This fresh Broccoli Cheese Casserole is made with onions, garlic, and cheddar all in a tasty cream sauce and topped with a cheesy buttery cracker crumb topping. It is always hit with family and friends and it is a great side dish for almost any main entree. I love to serve it with grilled pork tenderloin or roasted chicken. Enjoy this easy fresh broccoli recipe made without canned soup all year round
How to make Broccoli Cheese Casserole
First, steam the broccoli for about 4-5 minutes and drain it in a colander to remove any excess moisture.
While the broccoli is draining in the colander melt a little bit of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is soft. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Then stir in the dry ground mustard and slowly stir in the milk. Cook for several minutes or until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool while you chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl combine the broccoli, cooled cream sauce, 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, mayo, and eggs. Season with a little more salt and pepper. Spoon the broccoli mixture into a baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and crushed crackers. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned on the top.
Recipe tips
- Use fresh or frozen broccoli. If using frozen skip the steaming step.
- Any buttery cracker like Ritz will work. Crush them with a rolling pin in a zipper bag.
- This dish is best eaten fairly promptly while it is warm and the crackers are crunchy.
- If desired, cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup can be substituted for the butter, flour, ground mustard, and milk. Just use a little olive oil to saute the onion and garlic and then add it to the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Other veggies to add include carrots, peas, green beans, or cauliflower.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
How to prepare this casserole in advance
To prepare this broccoli casserole in advance simply prepare it up to the point of spooning the broccoli mixture into a casserole dish and topping it with the remaining cheese. Do not top with crushed crackers. Instead, cover the casserole dish with two layers of plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy remove the casserole from the fridge and warm up to room temperature for about 45 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap, sprinkle with crushed crackers, and bake according to the recipe directions.
More broccoli recipes to try!
Roasted Broccolihttps://www.smalltownwoman.com/oven-roasted-broccoli/
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes and drain it in a colander to drain. Chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is soft. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Sprinkle in the floor and cook for 2 minutes while stirring.
- Stir in the ground mustard. Slowly stir in the milk. Cook for several minutes or until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool.
- In a large bowl combine the broccoli, cooled cream sauce, 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, mayo, and eggs. Season with a little more salt and pepper. Spoon the broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and crushed crackers. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned on the top and heated through.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen broccoli. If using frozen skip the steaming step.
- Any buttery cracker like Ritz will work. Crush them with a rolling pin in a zipper bag.
- This dish is best eaten fairly promptly while it is warm and the crackers are crunchy.
- If desired cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup can be substituted for the butter, flour, ground mustard, and milk. Just use a little olive oil to saute the onion and garlic and then add it to the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Other veggies to add include carrots, peas, green beans, or cauliflower.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Erin Daly
Did this for Christmas and it was a huge hit. Didn’t have any Ritz crackers so I used club crackers, saltines and believe it or not, Goldfish for the topping! I didn’t measure 8 cups of broccoli but I used two, 12 ounce packages of steam in the bag frozen. I also let my sauce thicken a bit more because it was pretty “liquidy.” Fabulous can’t wait to make it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erin! So glad that you enjoyed the broccoli casserole!
Catalina
We love broccoli so much! I am always looking for new recipes!
Tayler
I made this casserole with dinner last night and it was so incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Tayler! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Lyn
This casserole was quite delicious! The family really loved it and it was a great way to get the kids to eat some veggies.
Sara Welch
I love the combination of cheese and broccoli; easily, a family favorite recipe! Delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sara! So glad that the family enjoyed them!
Claudia Lamascolo
My family just loved this casserole its so flavorful and perfectly seasoned thanks!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Claudia!
Caroline
Yum, the broccoli cheese casserole looks so delicious! I’m saving this recipe for later 🙂
Jess
This is a must-have dish at every family gathering!
Sandra
This is one of my favorite dish I make on busy weeknights! Love everything in it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandra!
Juliane
So much flavor I can SEEEE it and taste it!
Erin
This recipe was excellent! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Amanda
This was an absolute show stopper. Everyone could not stop talking about it!
Erik
I seriously love this combo. I could eat this everyday!
Beth Pierce
Me too!