Broccoli and cheese casserole topped with crushed crackers with a wooden spoon in a white casserole dish with a brown and white cloth all on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

18 Comments / By / March 15, 2021

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.

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As 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.

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.

Steamed broccoli in a steamer basket on a wooden surface

Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Diced onion in a stockpot on a wooden surface

Add the garlic and cook another minute.

Whisk in the milk and cook for about 2 minutes, until thickened, stirring often.

Milk in cooked vegetables in a stockpot on a wooden surface

Reduce the heat to medium and whisk in the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.

Cheese mixture in a stockpot on a wooden surface

Whisk in the cheese until it’s melted and smooth.

Cheese mixed in a stockpot on a wooden surface

Add the broccoli and stir until coated.

Broccoli mixed into cheese sauce in a stockpot on a wooden surface

Pour all of the cheese-covered broccoli in a large baking dish. Bake for about 1 hour, until hot and bubbly.

Broccoli and cheddar casserole in a white casserole dish on a wooden surface

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.

Broccoli and cheese casserole topped with crushed crackers with a wooden spoon in a white casserole dish with a brown and white cloth all on a wooden surface (vertical)

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 topped with crushed crackers with a wooden spoon in a white casserole dish with a brown and white cloth all on a wooden surface

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

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.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
broccoli
|
casserole
|
cheddar cheese
Dietary Needs:
Egg-Free
|
Nut-Free
Servings: 8
5 from 6 votes

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
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Nutrition Facts
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 433 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 53mg18%
Sodium 824mg34%
Potassium 649mg19%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 1557IU31%
Vitamin C 138mg167%
Calcium 379mg38%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Can Broccoli Casserole be made ahead of time?

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.

Can it be frozen after cooking?

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.

Is it possible to add meat to the casserole?

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.

18 thoughts on “Broccoli and Cheese Casserole”

  1. Joline

    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!

    Reply
  3. Neely Moldovan

    So I love cheese and I love broccoli but I could never do anything with them combined! Yours looks so good though!

    Reply
  6. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    5 stars
    This sounds delicious. It would work well as a side dish. I do love broccoli with cheese. Such a great combo.

    Reply

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