This is a simple broccoli and cheese casserole side. This broccoli casserole will be a side favorite with mayonnaise, cheese, butter, and Ritz crackers.
Broccoli and Cheese Side Dish
When it comes to holiday recipes, let’s admit that sides are always a fan favorite on the table. The turkey and the ham might take center stage, but the casseroles, vegetables, and delicious gravy are king.
This Broccoli Casserole dish is a simple casserole side. It does not have cream of anything soup like cream of mushroom. With only 6 ingredients, it is easy to throw together. It’s an easy side dish to make ahead of time and refrigerate until the big day. Of course, you don’t have to wait until a holiday to enjoy this delicious broccoli side dish. Enjoy it any day of the week.
What I love about this easy broccoli casserole
- With only 6 ingredients it is easy to put together and you probably have them all in your kitchen right now
- This recipe would be easy to add to. Make it a little more creamy by adding cream of mushroom soup or Velveeta cheese
- A delicious side for any meal
- You can substitute fresh broccoli
Ingredients
- Broccoli – fresh or frozen. You can use either one for this recipe. You’ll have to steam and drain the broccoli before adding to your baking dish, so either way works
- Butter – Use unsalted butter for this recipe
- Cheese – Of course, you’ll need some delicious cheese for this recipe. I used shredded Sharp cheddar cheese. You can use mild cheddar in place of sharp if you want
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise binds the cheese together and helps it spread throughout the casserole. Mayonnaise is sometimes used as a butter substitute. Both have fat and are spread evenly
- Parmesan Cheese – I used fresh grated Parmesan cheese for this casserole dish. I would not use the kind that comes out of a shaker. It won’t have the same impact on the recipe
- Ritz Crackers – I did not have the actual Ritz Crackers on hand the day that I made this recipe as a side to ham. I did, however, have butter crackers which is basically the same thing. Use either Ritz or butter crackers for this broccoli recipe
How to Make Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Cook and drain the broccoli – I steamed the frozen broccoli until it was warmed through
Pour the drained broccoli into a large bowl
Pour 1/2 of the melted butter over the broccoli
Fold in all of the cheese and mayonnaise
Spoon the broccoli mixture into a casserole dish
Crumble the crackers over the broccoli and cheese and pour the remaining butter over the crackers (you can also mix the crackers and remaining butter in a small bowl and then sprinkle it over the casserole)
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes
Expert Tips
You do not have to grease the pan for this recipe for broccoli casserole. The butter and mayonnaise provide plenty of fat and coat the dish during the baking process
To ensure the crackers are coated with butter it would be a good idea to toss the crumbled crackers with melted butter before sprinkling over the broccoli and cheese
Variations
Substitute mixed vegetables for broccoli
Add 1/2 lb. of Velveeta cheese to the broccoli mixture
Mix in cream of mushroom soup for a creamy broccoli and cheese casserole
What goes well with broccoli casserole?
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Turkey and Stuffing Roll-Ups
- Dinner Rolls
- Ham
- Glazed Carrots
- Mashed Potatoes
- Rice
FAQs
Add the ingredients to be folded in. Using a utensil, gently go under the ingredients pulling the ingredients on the bottom to the top. Do this several times until the ingredients are evenly dispersed throughout the dish
No. In mixing you can quickly stir the ingredients so that they bind together. In folding, you gently add ingredients by making a circular motion from the bottom to the top of the dish
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers covered and in the refrigerator
Reheating: you can reheat in the microwave uncovered or cover with foil and bake until warmed through
Make Ahead
Cover and refrigerate a day in advance. Allow an extra 5-10 minutes to bring the temperature up to warm through
Freezing: I would not recommend freezing this casserole. The moisture will make the crackers mushy instead of crunchy
More Casserole Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
This casserole will serve 5 people
Double or triple the recipe to serve more
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Here’s the Printable Recipe
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Equipment
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz. frozen broccoli or 1 bunch of fresh
- 4 tbsp. butter melted
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. Parmesan Cheese fresh – grated
- 1&1/2 cups Ritz Crackers or buttered crackers – crushed
Instructions
- preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cook and drain the broccoli – I steamed the frozen broccoli until it was warmed through
- Pour the drained broccoli into a large bowl
- Fold in 1/2 of the melted butter and all of the cheese and mayonnaise
- Spoon the broccoli mixture into a casserole dish
- Crumble the crackers over the broccoli and cheese and pour the remaining butter over the crackers (you can also mix the crackers and remaining butter in a small bowl and then sprinkle it over the casserole)
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes
