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 Broccoli Cheese Casserole Better Than Cheddars 

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This delicious easy side dish is a spinoff of the iconic casserole from Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.

A combination of tender broccoli florets with creamy melted cheese, seasonings, and a buttery cracker crumble topping.  

There is a white round plate with a scoop of broccoli cheese casserole on it. The plate is on a cream cloth.

 It’s the perfect side dish for any weeknight meal, family gatherings, or your holiday table!

It’s comfort food that is sure to become a family favorite!

Simple Ingredients For Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

There are five white bowls of different sizes. The largest bowl has broccoli pieces in it. There are four medium size bowls. One has shredded light orange cheese in it, the second has creamy soup mixture in it, the third has sour cream in it and the forth bowl has chunks of butter in it. There are three small clear ramekins. One has ground pepper in it, one has onion powder in it and the third one has garlic powder in it. There is a clear plastic food sleeve with light brown round crackers in it. All the items are on a black marbled surface.

What You Will Need

  • Broccoli florets
  • Cheddar cheese – shredded
  • Cream of broccoli condensed soup
  • Butter – melted
  • Sour cream
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper
  • Salt – optional and to taste
  • Buttery crackers
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Helpful Equipment and Tools

  • 9 x 13 baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk or wooden spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Small plastic zipper bag

How To Make  Broccoli Cheese Casserole Better Than Cheddars 

There is a clear rectangular baking dish with pieces of broccoli in it. The dish is on a black marble surface.
  • Thaw and throughly drain broccoli florets. (See Top Tips)
  • Lightly spray casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place broccoli in lightly greased casserole dish.
There is a large white bowl with a white creamy mixture and shredded cheese blended together in it. In front of the bowl there is a large clear rectangular baking dish with broccoli pieces in it. The items are on a black marbled surface.
  • Melt butter.
  • Combine soup, sour cream, half of the melted butter, half of the shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • Mix throughly.
There is a large clear rectangular baking dish with broccoli florets in it. There is a cheesy cream sauce poured over the broccoli. The dish is on a black marbled surface.
  • Spread the soup mix evenly over the broccoli florets.
There is a large clear rectangular baking dish with broccoli florets in it. There is a cheesy cream sauce poured over the broccoli and shredded light orange cheese covering the top of the entire dish. The dish is on a black marbled surface.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the broccoli mixture.
There is a white bowl with crushed up light brown crackers in it. Bowl is on a black marble surface.
  • Throughly mix the crushed crackers and the remaining melted butter. (See Top Tips)
There is a large clear glass baking dish with a baked casserole in it. There are crushed golden brown crackers over the entire top. The dish is laying on a cream cloth.
  • Evenly spread the cracker mixture over the top of the casserole.
  • Place in preheated oven and bake until golden brown and bubbly around the edges.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole Better Than Cheddars

There are 2 white baking ramekins with broccoli cheese casserole in them. There is a clear glass rectangular baking dish with broccoli casserole in it in the background. Items are on a black marble surface.

Let’s Take A Look At The Main Ingredients And Some Variations / Substitutions

Broccoli ~ I use frozen broccoli florets for ease. Fresh broccoli florets can be used. You will need to cut up and steam about 9 cups before using them in the casserole.


Cheddar Cheese ~ I use packaged shredded sharp cheddar cheese however, any cheddar cheese can be used.

I have mixed in a little bit of parmesan cheese with the top layer of cheddar cheese and it’s very tasty! 

Condensed Cream Of Broccoli Soup ~  I like the taste of broccoli soup for the creamy sauce. There are many options of soup to use in the creamy cheese sauce, just keep in mind that each soup will bring a slightly different taste to the casserole.

Most commonly substituted: cream of chicken soup, mushroom soup, or cheddar cheese soup.

Sour Cream ~ I prefer the tanginess of sour cream but mayonnaise can be substituted.

Buttery Round Crackers ~ Everyone knows how buttery Ritz crackers are but any brand will work!

Top Tips

  • Some frozen broccoli florets can be big. If they are, after they have thawed, cut them into bite size pieces, especially if kids are enjoying!
  • The best way to easily crush crackers is to place them in a plastic zipper bag and use either the palm of your hand or a rolling pin to pound them to the texture you want. 

A great way to make this casserole into an easy main dish for your next potluck dinner is to toss in a couple of cups of rotisserie chicken or cooked rice .

What To Serve With  Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This delicious side dish compliments so many dishes and is especially popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas!  Buttermilk baked chicken, baked pork chops, grilled beef tenderloin, and baked meatloaf are really delightful!

So if you’re looking for main dishes to make that Broccoli Cheese Casserole goes with , here are some great ones!

There are 2 white baking ramekins with broccoli cheese casserole in them. The bowls are on a black marble surface.

If you like this tasty side dish, check out some more from Join Me In The Kitchen!

Yield: 12 servings

Broccoli Cheese Casserole Better Than Cheddars

There is a white round plate with a scoop of broccoli cheese casserole on it. The plate is on a cream cloth.

This delicious easy side dish is a spinoff of the iconic casserole from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.

A combination of tender broccoli florets with creamy melty cheese, seasoning, and a buttery cracker crumble topping.

 It's the perfect side dish for any weeknight meal, family gatherings, or your holiday table.

It's comfort food that is sure to become a family favorite!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces frozen broccoli florets - thawed to room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can cream of broccoli condensed soup - 10 ounces
  • 1 stick melted butter - 1/2 cup divided
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt - optional
  • 1 sleeve buttery crackers - approximately 31 to 40 crackers crushed
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Completely thaw and throughly drain broccoli florets. (See Top Tips)
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Lightly spray casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  4. Place broccoli in casserole dish.
  5. Melt butter in the microwave or on the stove top over medium heat.
  6. In a large bowl, combine soup, sour cream, half of the melted butter, half of the shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  7. Use a whisk or wooded spoon and mix throughly.
  8. Use a rubber spatula to spread the soup mix evenly over the broccoli florets.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the broccoli mixture.
  10. In a small bowl, throughly mix the crushed crackers and the remaining melted butter. (See Top Tips)
  11. Evenly spread the cracker mixture over the top of the casserole.
  12. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges.

Notes

Helpful Equipment and Tools

  • 9 x 13 baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk or wooden spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Small zipper bag
  • Oven mitten 

Top Tips

  • The best way to easily crush crackers is to place them in a plastic zipper bag and use either the palm of your hand or a rolling pin to pound them to the texture you want. 
  • Some frozen broccoli florets can be big. If they are, after they have thawed, cut them into bite size pieces, especially if kids are enjoying!

Variations and Substitutions

Broccoli - I use frozen broccoli florets for ease, fresh broccoli florets can be used. You will need to cut up about 9 cups and steam it for a couple of minutes before using them in the casserole.

Cheddar Cheese - I use packaged shredded sharp cheddar cheese however, any cheddar cheese can be used. I have mixed in a little bit of parmesan cheese with the top layer of cheddar cheese and it's very tasty! 

Condensed Cream Of Broccoli Soup -  I like the taste of broccoli soup for the creamy sauce. There are many options of soup to use in the creamy cheese sauce, just keep in mind that each soup will bring a slightly different taste to the casserole. Most commonly substituted: cream of chicken soup, mushroom soup, or cheddar cheese soup.

Sour Cream - I prefer the tanginess of sour cream but mayonnaise can be substituted.

Buttery Round Crackers - Everyone knows how buttery Ritz crackers are but any brand will work!


© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: American / Category: Casseroles
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