Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole

My Broccoli Cheese Casserole is an easy and tasty side dish or light meal. This cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole, which is creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy, buttery crackers, has been a childhood favorite and remains one of the finest casserole recipes ever!

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Why We Love It:

It’s corny. I use a homemade cheese sauce that is really simple and delicious.
That crunchy cracker topping, however, I am a sucker for a crispy, crunchy topping, and the buttery ritz crackers smashed on top are so delicious.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Cream of Chicken Soup – You can use cream of mushroom or cream of anything!
Mayonnaise – If you can’t do mayo you can use sour cream instead.
Frozen (and thawed) broccoli – You can use florets or pieces whatever you prefer!
Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are the basic seasonings I use. Feel free to get creative here and try other spices!
Egg – You’ll need 1 to help bind the ingredients together.
Cheddar Cheese – Grate your own, you won’t be sorry!
Butter – Because everything is better with butter.
Crushed Crackers – I love using Cheeze-Its!

If you wish to cook your broccoli before adding it to the casserole for any reason, and you’re wondering how long to bake it for, you should read How Long To Bake Broccoli At 425.

What Else Can You Top This Cheesy cheddar broccoli Casserole With?

This cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole dish is traditional, with broken crackers on top. This adds a salty, buttery, crunchy layer to the dish! As previously said, I like adding Cheeze-Its to increase the cheese factor, but here are a few more suggestions:

Butter crackers, like Club Crackers or Ritz
Potato Chips
Breadcrumbs
Crushed Pretzels

How To Make Cheesy cheddar Broccoli Casserole?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the egg, soup, mayonnaise, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir the cheese until incorporated.
Combine the broccoli with the cheese mixture in a uniform manner.
Pour the mixture into the pan you have prepared. Crumble the crackers and evenly sprinkle the melted butter over top.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until bubbling and gently brown on top.
Serve warm.

What Should You Serve This cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole With?

Grilled chicken, steak, or any other protein makes an excellent main dish to accompany Broccoli Cheese Casserole. OR I like it on its own as a light or vegetarian dinner!

For more options on what to serve, you may want to check What To Serve With Broccoli Casserole.

How Long Will The Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole Last In The Fridge?

Refrigerate the chilled cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole, securely covered, for approximately 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave at 50% power for 30-45 seconds, stirring every 30-45 seconds.

How To Reheat Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole In The Oven?

Preheat The oven to 350°F.
Place your cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole in the oven after you cover it with aluminum foil.
Reheat for 20-30 min or until hot throughout 325°F.
Serve with your favorite side.

How to Reheat cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole In The Microwave?

The way you choose to reheat your casserole is determined by its size. Use the microwave to reheat a portion of the casserole for breakfast the following morning. We microwave casserole pieces since it is much simpler to heat little quantities without drying them out.

Place a cold casserole slice in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Plastic wrap should not be used to cover your casserole dish since it will melt in the microwave. Instead, lay another plate on top of the dish or use a microwave-safe hard plastic dish cover.

Microwave in 30-60 second intervals until well warmed. 2 minutes is generally more than enough time to have your dish scorching hot!

How To Freeze Uncooked Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole?

To freeze part of your uncooked cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole, divide it into a freezer-safe container(s), ensuring that it is tightly wrapped or has an airtight cover. It can be frozen for up to three months. Hold the cheese and cracker topping until just before you’re about to bake it.

To serve, defrost your cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole in the refrigerator overnight the day before serving, then top with the cheese and cracker topping and bake according to package directions. Serve this delectable dish hot and enjoy!

Can I Freeze Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole Leftovers?

Absolutely! Here are some tips for freezing your cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole:

Allow the casserole to cool fully after baking. When a heated casserole is placed in the freezer, condensation forms within the dish, resulting in a soggy and inedible mess when it is thawed.
Cover completely. Wrap the cooled dish in plastic wrap and then foil securely. To provide an added layer of protection, place the dish in a sealed freezer bag.
Place in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. In a 350-degree oven, bake the thawed, uncovered broccoli casserole for 20 minutes, or until heated in the middle. If it requires more time and begins to brown too much on top, cover it with foil and bake it longer.

Recipe Variations

Healthy cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole: this cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole recipe becomes healthy by Using fresh Broccoli.
Cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole with rice: when you add rice to your cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole recipe, it becomes Varied also becomes this recipe more healthy.

FAQ Section

Can You Make This Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole Ahead?

Yes, you can make this cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole ahead, however, I prefer to top it with crumbled crackers shortly before baking so they remain crunchy! When warmed the following day, they do get a bit squishy, but the taste is still fantastic!

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

Absolutely! If you don’t have fresh broccoli on hand, you may use frozen in this cheesy cheddar broccoli casserole recipe. Allow it to defrost and drain any extra water. You could alternatively steam it in the bag before adding it to the cheese sauce; this would shorten the cooking time somewhat.

What Seasoning Can I Add To The Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole Recipe?

Broccoli and cheese have a very strong taste on their own, so I’ve discovered that a slew of condiments and spices aren’t required. I appreciate the sauce’s pure cheese taste. If you want to spice it up a bit, add some garlic powder, nutmeg, dry mustard, or paprika to the cheese sauce.

What Other Cheeses To Use In Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole?

When it comes to a superb, creamy cheese sauce for broccoli casserole, sharp cheddar reigns supreme. You might also use a softer cheese, such as Mozzarella or Monterey Jack, or a sharper cheese, such as Fontina, Parmesan, or Blue Cheese. It’s useful to know which cheeses go well with certain tastes. A little Parmesan is never a terrible idea.

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