Straightforward Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe (From Scratch!)

Your complete household goes to like this simple broccoli casserole recipe. It has an extremely wealthy and flavorful cream sauce, with out cream of mushroom soup. The butter Ritz topping is garlicky, crunchy, and straightforward to make. 

Do you want one other Thanksgiving facet dish? Strive dairy-free inexperienced bean casserole, acorn squash casserole, or cauliflower gratin.

That is the Finest Broccoli Casserole Recipe I’ve Ever Had

And right here is why:

• No cream of mushroom soup
• Gentle, however tender broccoli 
• Coated in buttery crackers
• A lot tacky goodness
• Even choosy eaters adore it
• Excellent facet dish for Thanksgiving and on a regular basis dinners

Substances You Want

Listed here are the easy substances for this tacky broccoli casserole. Skip right down to the recipe card under for actual measurements.

• Complete milk: for probably the most wealthy and creamy sauce.
• Cornstarch: to thicken and create your individual condensed soup.
• Unsalted butter: you want this for the creamy sauce and the buttery Ritz crackers
• Rooster bouillon paste: you’ll be able to sub this for one dice.
• Spices: kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic.
• Cream cheese: to thicken the tacky sauce. Swap this for bitter cream.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: purchase a block and shred it your self. It tastes and melts higher.
• Contemporary broccoli florets: frozen works too, however contemporary is finest. I used 1 1/2 giant baggage of broccoli.
• Eggs: to bind and thicken. 
• Ritz crackers: add a crunchy, buttery taste and texture.
• Contemporary garlic: to combine in with the topping.

Be aware: this recipe contains substances to make your individual cream of mushroom soup. Omit the milk, cornstarch, butter, hen bouillon, onion powder, and garlic powder and substitute it with one can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of hen soup if desired.

How one can Make this Straightforward Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Listed here are the step-by-step directions, with pictures, for this broccoli cheese casserole recipe so you’ve a transparent concept of what to anticipate. Leap right down to the recipe card for the total printable recipe.

Home made cream of mushroom soup: Pour the milk right into a medium to small saucepan with the cornstarch and whisk to dissolve it. Flip the range to medium warmth and add the butter, hen bouillon, and seasoning till the butter melts. Flip the warmth as much as medium-high and gently boil the combination for 1 minute, till thickened.

Creamy cheese sauce: Flip the warmth down and stir within the cream cheese and cheddar cheese till it’s melted.

Make the creamy cheese sauce: Flip the warmth down and stir within the cream cheese and cheddar cheese till it’s melted.

Creamy casserole: Whisk eggs into the marginally cooled cheese sauce. Ensure it’s not too sizzling so it doesn’t scramble the eggs. Pour the sauce over the broccoli and toss to coat. Sprinkle it with extra cheddar cheese.

Cracker topping: Combine crushed crackers, melted butter, and garlic in a small bowl. Sprinkle it over the broccoli casserole.

Bake and serve: switch the dish to the oven and bake at 400°F for 35-40 minutes. Verify across the 25-minute mark and tent with foil if the Ritz cracker crumbs are browning an excessive amount of. Serve heat together with your favourite major dish.

Recipe Variations

• Use cream of mushroom soup or cream of hen soup as a substitute of constructing your individual. Combine the soup in a big bowl with the cream cheese and cheddar cheese and toss all of it with the broccoli.
• Gluten-free: swap the Ritz crackers for gluten-free crackers. Lance is an effective model or you could possibly make your individual Ritz type gluten-free crackers.
• Dairy-free: use plant-based milk and vegan butter. Strive Kite Hill dairy-free cream cheese and omit the cheddar cheese or use your favourite plant-based choice. Swap the crackers for a dairy-free model like Easy Mills, or use breadcrumbs.

Storage and Make-Forward Directions

Storage directions: enable the casserole to chill and switch leftovers to an hermetic container. They’ll keep contemporary within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat within the microwave or within the oven at 300°F till heated by way of.

Make-ahead (as much as 2 days prematurely): put together the complete dish up till make the crunchy topping. Cowl with plastic wrap or foil and retailer it within the fridge for as much as 2 days. While you’re able to make it, take away it from the oven and let it sit at room temperature for half-hour. Make the cracker topping and bake as directed. 

Broccoli casserole is a basic, scrumptious facet dish and I hope this turns into a favourite recipe on your vacation desk. In the event you want extra inspiration for facet dishes, strive roasted broccoli and carrots, tacky scalloped potatoes, or boursin mashed potatoes.

In the event you make this recipe, I’d love so that you can give it a star score ★ under. You may as well tag me on Instagram so I can see it!