Broccoli Cheese & Cracker Casserole
This Broccoli Cheese & Cracker Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish featuring tender broccoli with a creamy cheese sauce and a crunchy cracker topping. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family meals, delivering a satisfying blend of textures and classic flavors.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
Dairy & Creamy Base
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sour cream or 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter (for topping)
Seasonings & Topping
- 1 1/2 cups crushed crackers (saltine, buttery crackers, or Ritz)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat and prepare broccoli: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly steam or blanch the broccoli florets until tender but still bright green to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Mix the creamy base: In a large bowl, combine sour cream (or cream of mushroom soup), milk, shredded cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine broccoli and sauce: Gently fold the cooked broccoli into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring each floret is well coated without breaking them down.
- Prepare the cracker topping: Crush the crackers into small pieces, mix them with melted butter, then sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the broccoli and cheese mixture in the casserole dish.
- Bake until bubbly and golden: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for richer, more pronounced flavor.
- Do not overcook the broccoli; steaming until just tender prevents mushiness.
- Ensure the topping is well coated with melted butter for a golden, crispy crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let flavors settle.
- Be cautious with additional salt as cheese and crackers already contain salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: broccoli casserole, cheese casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, broccoli cheese bake