Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a versatile dish that can be made as a side or a dinner. Eat it fresh or make ahead for an easy meal.
Jump to RecipeAs someone who has lived her whole life in the South, I can tell you that casseroles are a staple here. They are a great way to put a lot of things together and serve a bunch of people. If you go to any Southern get-together, you’ll likely find at least 2-3 casseroles.
They are great because there are ways to make them for breakfast, dinner, appetizers, side dishes, even desserts.
Broccoli and cheese casserole is perfect as either a side dish or a main meal. Since the boys still don’t eat a lot, we were able to get away with this as our dinner one night. But it would also make a great side dish. I would pair it with some cooked ham or similar dish.
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Step by Step
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli, chopped
- 3 tbsp butter, unsalted
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 40 club crackers, crushed
- 2 tbsp parsley
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F. Steam the broccoli. I have a steamer basket that goes in a large stockpot and a steamer basket for my rice cooker. Either one will work. You could also purchase steamer broccoli from the frozen aisle in the grocery store.
Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic and cook another minute.
Whisk in the milk and cook for about 2 minutes, until thickened, stirring often.
Reduce the heat to medium and whisk in the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Whisk in the cheese until it’s melted and smooth.
Add the broccoli and stir until coated.
Pour all of the cheese-covered broccoli in a large baking dish. Bake for about 1 hour, until hot and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and spread the crushed crackers over the casserole. Set the oven to broil on low and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the crackers are brown. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Leftovers
Store leftover broccoli and cheese casserole in an airtight dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the entire casserole dish in a cool oven and bring it up to heat at 350F with the pan in there. This prevents the pan from shattering. Cook about 5 minutes, until it’s warmed through.
Recipe
Originally Published On: March 15, 2021
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli (chopped)
- 3 tbsp butter (unsalted)
- 1 yellow onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 40 club crackers (crushed)
- 2 tbsp parsley
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Steam the broccoli
- Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat
- Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add the garlic and cook another minute
- Whisk in the milk and cook for about 2 minutes, until thickened, stirring often
- Reduce the heat to medium and whisk in the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper
- Whisk in the cheese until it’s melted and smooth
- Add the broccoli and stir until coated
- Pour all of the cheese-covered broccoli into a large baking dish
- Bake for about 1 hour, until hot and bubbly
- Remove from the oven and spread the crushed crackers over the casserole
- Set the oven to broil on low and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the crackers are brown
- Let cool for about 10 minutes
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole FAQs
Yes! Prepare the casserole and place it all in your baking dish. Cover and refrigerate (before cooking) for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to cook, make sure to let the baking dish come to room temperature (about 2 hours) before cooking. If you place a cold dish in a hot oven it can shatter.
The broccoli and cheese casserole can be frozen if covered properly for up to one month. The day before you want to cook, let it thaw in the refrigerator. Then bring it to room temperature for about 2 hours before cooking.
You can add meat to the casserole. I have not personally tried it, but I would try cubed ham, shredded chicken, or browned ground beef.
More Vegetables Sides
- Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Garlic-Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic-Roasted Radishes
- Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Roasted Asparagus
- Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
Other Vegetable Casserole Recipes
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
- Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Cheesy Rice Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli
- Vegan Pot Pie Casserole
More Recipes with Dijon Mustard
- Chicken Thighs with Dairy-Free Creamy Mustard Sauce
- Sirloin Steak with Dijon Sauce
- Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing for Salads or Marinades
- Dijon Chicken and Broccoli
- Dijon-Herb Tilapia
- Easy Hawaiian Sliders Recipe with Ham and Cheese
- Ranch Snowman Spread
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Sheet Pan Salmon with Smashed Potatoes
- Alice Springs Chicken Copycat Recipe
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast with Thousand Island Dressing
- Chicken Schnitzel
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Super Easy Marinated Baked Pork
- Simple Classic Coleslaw Recipe
- Lemon Rosemary Tilapia
- Grilled Summer Orzo Salad
Broccoli and cheese go so well together. And this looks like it will pair nicely with a whole lot of main dishes. Love that it freezes well too!
They really do! And yes, it works for so many different meals.
This is something that I should try of. Love it!
Thanks! I hope you get a chance to try it, we love it!
So I love cheese and I love broccoli but I could never do anything with them combined! Yours looks so good though!
Oh man, you should definitely try them together!
This is really interesting! I never had broccoli and cheese like a casserole, more like a soup over rice.
I’ve had it that way too. But this is great for a side dish!
Oh yum, looks so delicious 😍 I love broccoli ❤ This would be our side dish and I am going to make it soon ☺
It’s so yummy, and a great way to get those veggies in 🙂
This sounds delicious. It would work well as a side dish. I do love broccoli with cheese. Such a great combo.
That looks absolutely delicious. I’ve never had crackers on top of the casserole, but I bet it’s so good. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a delicious vegetarian dish and what a great idea of using crackers in the casserole as well. Can’t wait to try making this
Broccoli is one of the veggies my kids absolutely love. It is not my favourite so adding cheese makes it easier for me to eat – lol
This would make such a good side dish!
What a great way to prepare broccoli. It is nice to have a different way to serve broccoli. Looks delicious!
I love casserole!!!! The recipe looks so good…I can’t wait to make it, can’t wait!
This looks absolutely comforting and delicious. What a wonderful way to serve up broccoli!