Easy Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
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Your dinner table needs this easy and delicious broccoli casserole ASAP! It’s the ultimate comfort dish that’s made with soft, tender broccoli tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, then baked to perfection with crispy, buttery crackers on top. This flavorful one-pan, from-scratch dish is the easiest way to get everyone excited about eating their veggies!
Nothing beats the comfort of casseroles. They’re quick and convenient to make, and they’re great for feeding a crowd. I can’t count how many times casseroles have saved me on busy days or during holiday rush! One of my go-tos is definitely broccoli and cheese casserole. Why? Because it’s hard to resist all that cheesy goodness finished off with a perfectly golden, crunchy topping. I bet you’ve never had broccoli like this before!
This easy casserole is a timeless family favorite for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. It’s a must at our Thanksgiving spread every year. I also make broccoli casserole wherever I need a quick make-ahead side dish to enjoy throughout a busy week, because I can easily pair it with our favorite mains for a hearty, well-rounded meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and simple: Prep this dish for 10 minutes, and let your oven take care of the rest.
- Bursting with flavor: The combination of fresh broccoli florets, creamy mushroom soup, melty cheese, buttery crackers, and spices delivers big, delicious flavors in every bite.
- Crowd pleaser: The cheesy, comforting flavors of this casserole is a guaranteed hit with everyone, even the pickiest eaters.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance and pop it in the oven when ready. Perfect for meal planning or stress-free hosting!
- All-around dish: Serve it as main or a side for weeknight dinners or holidays feasts – this versatile dish is ideal for all occasions.
How to Make Broccoli Casserole
This broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is the kind of dish that checks all the boxes – it’s filling, comforting, and packed full of flavor. It’s a breeze to make, too – just steam the broccoli, combine the ingredients, top with the crackers, and pop in the oven to bake. You’ll have a hearty, satisfying dish to enjoy with your family in no time!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Broccoli florets: I use fresh, but frozen will also work. Choose fresh broccoli – they should have dark green buds, crisp leaves, and firm stems.
- Mushroom soup: For the creamy, delicious base of the casserole. Either canned or homemade mushroom soup will work great for this recipe.
- Sour cream: Adds richness, creaminess, and additional body to the dish.
- Eggs: Help hold the ingredients together and give the casserole some structure.
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Cheddar cheese: Provides the gooey, cheesy goodness of the casserole. I use sharp cheddar, but feel free to use your favorite melty cheese.
- Ritz crackers: Crushed on top for a buttery, crunchy finish that contrasts perfectly with the creamy texture of the casserole.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Cheesy broccoli casserole is the perfect dish to make if you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. This beginner-friendly recipe is simple and straightforward – just follow the steps below and your casserole is sure to come out perfectly baked!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly grease a casserole dish or 8×8-inch baking dish.
First, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Steam the broccoli for 4 minutes until it is bright in color and just tender enough for a fork to pierce through. Drain and rinse under cold water then set aside.
Step 2: Mix
Next, mix the soup, sour cream, eggs, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup cheese together in a mixing bowl. Add broccoli and mix well until thoroughly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. To crush the crackers, just tap the sleeve of crackers on the countertop until all are broken into smaller pieces or open, then transfer to a large ziplock and pound with the back of a wooden spoon until crushed. Sprinkle the crushed crackers evenly over the surface of the casserole.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool slightly for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
No fancy ingredients needed to make this delicious dish! If you’re missing one of the simple ingredients or prefer to use an alternative, here are my suggestions:
- Mushroom soup: If you don’t have mushroom soup, substitute it with cream of chicken, cream of celery, cream of asparagus, or cream of bacon soup.
- Sour cream: Use plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream if that’s what you have.
- Cheddar cheese: Prefer to use another type of cheese? Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, fontina, Havarti, Colby, pepper jack, or any other soft or melty cheese will work great. A sprinkle of parmesan, Romano or asiago could also be added to the topping for extra cheesiness!
- Ritz crackers: No Ritz crackers on hand? Use club crackers, seasoned breadcrumbs, dry stuffing mix, panko, or crushed potato chips instead. 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers contains 32 crackers, so if you’re substituting with another similar-sized cracker, make sure to use approximately the same amount.
Variations
This broccoli and cheese casserole is already a hit, but there are plenty of ways to tweak it and make it your own! Whether you’re looking to change up the flavors or make it even heartier, here are a few delicious variations to try:
- Add cooked chicken or turkey, ground beef, bacon, ham, or sausage slices to the mix for a heartier meal.
- Add a cup or two of veggies like cauliflower, corn, carrots, bell peppers, green beans, button mushrooms, and peas for additional color, flavor, and texture.
- Want to add some heat to your casserole? Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Expert Tips
- Dry the broccoli: You want to get as much water as you can from the broccoli to prevent your casserole from becoming watery. Pat the florets dry with paper towels before combining it with the other ingredients.
- Thaw frozen broccoli: If using frozen, I recommend that you thaw and drain the broccoli well to avoid excess moisture.
- Shred your own cheese: For the best melt and creaminess, shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded, which often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
- Let it rest: Once out of the oven, it’s best if you allow the casserole to cool and rest for at least 10 minutes so that it can set. The longer you let it rest, the more manageable serving will be.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer leftover casserole into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish since it contains dairy, so there’s a tendency of separating and curdling when frozen. As a result, it may have an unpleasant texture when reheated. To reheat, warm the casserole, loosely covered, in the oven at 350 F until warmed through, about 15 minutes.
What to Serve with Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli and cheese casserole can be enjoyed as is, or as a side to your favorite protein mains. I like pairing it with roast chicken, bacon-wrapped filet mignon, or a grilled fish dish along with other sides like garlic mashed potatoes or honey-glazed carrots. I also serve it over rice or quinoa for a more filling, balanced meal.
It’s perfect alongside a Thanksgiving turkey or a Christmas ham for the holidays. For a lighter meal, serve broccoli casserole with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread or a light, refreshing salad.
If you make this broccoli casserole, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Broccoli Casserole With Ritz Crackers Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli florets about 2 heads
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup or homemade alternative
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Lightly grease a casserole dish or 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Steam the broccoli for 4 minutes until it is bright in color and just tender enough for a fork to pierce through. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Mix the soup, sour cream, eggs, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup cheese together in a mixing bowl. Add broccoli and mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle the crackers evenly over the surface.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool slightly for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pat the florets dry with paper towels before combining it with the other ingredients to get as much water as you can from the broccoli. This will prevent your casserole from becoming watery.
- If using frozen, thaw and drain the broccoli well to avoid excess moisture.
- For the best flavor, shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded, which often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
- Once out of the oven, it’s best to cool and rest the casserole for at least 10 minutes so that it can set. The longer you let it rest, the more manageable serving will be.
