Welcome to our delicious and easy broccoli casserole recipe! If you’re looking for a homemade broccoli casserole that’s both comforting and family-friendly, you’ve come to the right place. This cheesy broccoli casserole is the perfect addition to your next family dinner. With its creamy texture and irresistible flavor, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Preparing this mouthwatering comfort food is a breeze, taking only 15 minutes of prep time. Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, such as condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, a large egg, chopped onion, frozen chopped broccoli, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika, you’ll be on your way to creating a dish that will leave you wanting more.
To make this cheesy broccoli casserole, simply whisk together the soup, mayonnaise, egg, and onions. Then, mix in the frozen broccoli and cheese, spreading the heavenly mixture into a baking dish. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika for that final touch of perfection. Once in the oven, let it bake until golden brown, and watch as the cheese melts, creating a tantalizing aroma that will awaken your taste buds.
Each serving of this cheesy broccoli casserole contains approximately 387 calories, 34g of fat, 9g of carbs, and 11g of protein. But who’s counting? Indulge in this decadent side dish that combines the goodness of broccoli with the heavenly taste of melted cheese.
A Crowd-Pleasing Casserole with a Creamy Cheese Sauce
This cheesy broccoli casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that features a creamy cheese sauce. The sauce is made from scratch using a simple roux of flour, butter, and milk (or half & half), along with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese. The combination of creamy sauce and gooey cheese creates a luscious texture that perfectly complements the tender broccoli. This vegetarian casserole is not only packed with flavor but also provides a nutritious and delicious way to enjoy this beloved vegetable.
To make this creamy cheesy casserole, start by blanching the broccoli. This helps retain its vibrant color and ensures a tender texture when baked in the casserole. In a separate saucepan, prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour until smooth, and gradually adding milk while stirring constantly. Allow the sauce to thicken before stirring in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Once the cheese sauce is ready, combine it with the blanched broccoli in a baking dish, ensuring that the sauce coats the broccoli evenly. For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, top the casserole with crushed butter crackers and sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. This innovative twist adds a delightful texture to each bite.
Bake the casserole in a preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. The aroma of the cheesy sauce and the sight of the melted cheese will make it hard to resist eagerly digging in.
This delicious broccoli casserole serves as an excellent side dish for any meal. Its versatile nature complements various main courses, from roasted chicken to grilled steak or as a savory option for vegetarians.
Ingredients for Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 4 cups |
| Melted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk or half & half | 1 cup |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Crushed butter crackers | 1 cup |
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips for Convenience
This broccoli casserole recipe is not only delicious but also convenient to prepare in advance. If you want to make it ahead of time, you have a couple of options.
- Make-ahead: You can make and bake the casserole a day ahead, cooling it and storing it tightly covered in the refrigerator. Then, when you’re ready to serve, you can reheat it in the oven until hot and bubbly.
- Refrigerating before baking: Alternatively, you can prepare the casserole and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. In this case, you’ll need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
If you want to freeze the broccoli casserole, follow these steps:
- Bake and cool the casserole completely.
- Tightly wrap the cooled casserole in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the package with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Place the wrapped casserole in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.
To thaw and reheat the frozen casserole:
- Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or until completely thawed.
- Bake it in a preheated 350-degree oven until hot in the center.
- Reheat any leftovers in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30-45 seconds, until heated through.
With these make-ahead and freezing tips, you can enjoy the convenience of having a delicious broccoli casserole ready whenever you need it.
Variations and Substitutions for Your Taste Preferences
While this cheesy broccoli casserole recipe is delicious as is, you have the flexibility to make some variations and substitutions to suit your taste preferences. By adding different spices to the cheese sauce, you can create a whole new flavor profile that will excite your taste buds. Consider spices like garlic powder, nutmeg, dry mustard, or paprika to enhance the taste and give the casserole a unique twist.
If fresh broccoli is not available, frozen broccoli can be a convenient alternative. Simply thaw it and drain any excess water before adding it to the cheese sauce. This substitution ensures that you can enjoy the recipe even when fresh ingredients aren’t readily accessible.
When it comes to cheese alternatives, the possibilities are endless. While the original recipe calls for sharp cheddar cheese, you can experiment with other cheeses to create a different flavor experience. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Parmesan, or even Blue Cheese can be used as alternative options. Each cheese brings its own distinct taste to the casserole, allowing you to discover your preferred combination.
FAQ
How long does it take to make this easy cheesy broccoli casserole?
The prep time for this recipe is 15 minutes, and it takes about 45 minutes to cook, resulting in a total time of approximately 1 hour.
How many people does this cheesy broccoli casserole recipe serve?
This recipe serves 8 people.
What ingredients do I need to make this delicious broccoli casserole?
You’ll need condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, a large egg, chopped onion, frozen chopped broccoli, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika.
How do I make this cheesy broccoli casserole?
To make the casserole, you’ll whisk together the soup, mayonnaise, egg, and onions. Then, mix in the frozen broccoli and cheese before spreading the mixture into a baking dish. Finally, season with salt, pepper, and paprika and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
How many calories are there in each serving of this cheesy broccoli casserole?
Each serving of this cheesy broccoli casserole contains approximately 387 calories, 34g of fat, 9g of carbs, and 11g of protein.
Can I make this broccoli casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can make and bake the casserole a day ahead, cooling it and storing it tightly covered in the refrigerator. Then, when you’re ready to serve, you can reheat it in the oven until hot and bubbly. Alternatively, you can prepare the casserole and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. In this case, you’ll need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Can I freeze this broccoli casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the broccoli casserole. Bake and cool it completely before tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then bake it in a 350-degree oven until hot in the center.
Can I make any variations or substitutions in this cheesy broccoli casserole?
Yes, you can add spices such as garlic powder, nutmeg, dry mustard, or paprika to the cheese sauce for a different flavor profile. You can also use frozen broccoli instead of fresh and try different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Parmesan, or Blue Cheese to customize the taste.
