Easy Broccoli Casserole

This Easy Broccoli Casserole recipe is a potluck rock star. It’s a delicious side dish option for family dinners, Sunday suppers and holiday gatherings. It’s special enough for entertaining, but simple enough that you can make it any day of the week.

Best Broccoli Casserole Recipe

I love casseroles in general, and this broccoli cheese casserole tops the list of my favorite side dishes. This easy broccoli cheese casserole recipe utilizes canned soups, and I’m completely unapologetic about it. They’re convenient, plus they add texture and flavor to the overall taste of the entire dish. Not to mention, it’s the main reason this recipe is referred to as easy. This is one of those go-to Southern side dishes that’s often on the menu when entertaining, served at the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, for office and church potlucks, as well as weeknight family dinners. How to make easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Steam Broccoli Florets – Steam broccoli in boiling water until fork tender.
• Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine – In a large bowl, stir together broccoli florets, broccoli soup, cheddar cheese soup, mayonnaise, butter, salt, granulated garlic, lemon pepper, onion powder, eggs and green onion.
• Cheddar Cheese – Add one cup cheese, mix to combine. Pour broccoli mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
• Make Cracker Toppings – Toss together melted butter with Ritz crackers. Sprinkle evenly on top.
• Oven – Bake per the cook time in the recipe until lightly golden brown, then enjoy!

How to Make the BEST Broccoli Casserole Recipe

• Ingredients you’ll need to make Broccoli Cheese Casserole: Fresh broccoli florets, cream of broccoli soup, cheddar cheese soup, cup mayonnaise, unsalted butter, garlic salt or plain salt and garlic powder, lemon pepper or black pepper, onion powder, large eggs, green onions, sharp cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers. Kitchen tools you’ll need: Vegetable steamer, 13×9-inch casserole dish, cheese grater, sharp knife and chopping board, measuring cups, measuring spoons, rubber spatula, large bowl, medium bowl.
• Do I use fresh or frozen broccoli florets for broccoli cheese casserole? You can use either one but fresh broccoli does best. Please note, this recipe calls for broccoli florets and not broccoli cuts, which is particularly important if you’re going to use frozen broccoli.
• You’ll need around 2 1/2-3 pounds of fresh broccoli or 2 pounds of frozen broccoli florets for this recipe. The difference is, once fresh broccoli is steamed it will release liquid and decrease in volume. Consider the weight of fresh broccoli without the stems which should be removed for this recipe.
• What kind of canned soup is best? I use two flavors in this recipe by design. One is cream of broccoli soup and the other is cheddar cheese soup. You could replace the cream of broccoli with cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup, if that’s what you have on hand.
• Classic sharp cheddar cheese is my go to for this casserole. It has a robust flavor that’s complementary to the broccoli. That said, you could use pepper jack cheese for spice, or use colby jack cheese for a mild and creamy flavor.
• Cheese Sauce Substitutions: You can substitute Cheez Whiz or Velveeta cheese (from a jar) in place of the cheddar cheese soup.
• Can I use a different topping? Yes, you could use Cheez-its, Club Crackers, panko bread crumbs or dried breadcrumbs for the topping in the same amount. You can also use lower sodium or whole wheat Ritz crackers.
• Variations: You could add one cup of cooked white rice or orzo pasta to this recipe. If you like rice, you might like to try my recipe for Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole.
• You could swap out half of the broccoli with cooked cauliflower for a broccoli-cauliflower casserole.
• You an assemble this broccoli cheddar casserole one day in advance. Cover it and chill in the refrigerator. Top it with buttered Ritz cracker crumbs just before baking. If the broccoli casserole has been chilled, give it 15 minutes or so on the counter before baking.
• Can I make my own cheese sauce for broccoli casserole? Yes, if you’d like to make it from scratch checkout my recipe for homemade Broccoli Cheddar Gratin.
• Storage and Leftovers: Store Broccoli Casserole covered with aluminum foil or in an airtight container chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes or just until heated through.
• Freezer: Freeze Broccoli Cheese Casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Southern Casserole Recipes to Make

I love a casserole and have many here on the website you may enjoy. Checkout these recipes and add them to your casserole menu options.

• Pineapple Casserole is a holiday classic served with ham.
• Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is perfect at any meal.
• Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-make for the holidays.
• Southern Grits and Greens Casserole topped with bacon can be served at brunch or dinner.
• Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole can be made in advance and baked when you’re ready to eat.
• Easy Cornbread Casserole is simply delicious!
• Cheesy Cabbage Casserole will have the kids eating their veggies and loving it!
• Tomato Casserole from Well Plated.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13 x 9 inch Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives