Broccoli Casserole

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Calories: 313cal

Author: Ashley Fehr

This Broccoli Casserole is the perfect comforting side dish. Tender broccoli is tossed in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crushed cheese crackers, and baked until melty and crispy.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1½ pounds fresh broccoli florets (about 4 medium heads)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ medium onion (finely chopped)
4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2½ cups milk
2½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese (divided)
1 cup crushed cheese crackers

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13" baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the broccoli. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes (less if you like a firmer texture, more if you like broccoli more tender).
Drain the broccoli well. (You may want to lay the broccoli on paper towels to absorb some moisture.) Place the broccoli in the prepared baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook and stir until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute.
Add the flour and stir until no white remains. Whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue cooking and whisking for 4 to 5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in 2 cups of the Cheddar, until melted.
Pour the sauce over the broccoli in the baking dish. Stir to coat. Top with the remaining ½ cup Cheddar and crackers.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serve.

Video

Notes

Tips:

To make ahead: you can prep this recipe up to the point of baking, cover and refrigerate up to 4 days before baking. Keep in mind that heating a cold casserole will take slightly longer in the oven.

Substitutions:

You can use any kind of milk you like or even cream -- a higher fat dairy will have a richer flavor, but all work great.
You can swap the cheddar cheese for any kind you like, or a variety!
You can swap the crushed crackers for Panko bread crumbs if you prefer.
You can use frozen broccoli -- simply ensure it is not stuck together, then stir together with the sauce and bake as usual.

Nutrition