Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Broccoli cheese casserole is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. Broccoli florets are tossed into a creamy and cheesy sauce, topped with more cheese and crunch breadcrumbs, and baked to golden brown perfection. It’s crispy on the outside but soft and tender inside. Flavored with garlic, this broccoli cheddar side dish is tasty, filling, and oh so satisfying. It’s the comforting side dish you’ve been waiting for all year.

Why You’ll Love Broccoli Cheese Casserole

• Broccoli and cheese = the perfect pair. There’s a reason why Broccoli Cheese Soup is such a hit. The two main ingredients — broccoli and cheese — are a match made in food heaven. And seriously, soup shouldn’t be the only time we see these two together. They bring out their best flavors when combined.
• A crispy, crunchy, cheesy topping. This broccoli cheese casserole is topped with cheddar cheese and baked until crispy, golden-brown perfection. And as if that wasn’t enough, throw on some breadcrumbs to take the crispiness to another level. It’s just pure perfection on top.
• Ready in under an hour. Casseroles are notorious for taking a long time to bake, but this broccoli and cheese casserole is ready in under an hour. It’s easy to prep so you’ll be spending most of that time waiting for your oven to do its thing.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make these easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):

• butter
• garlic
• all-purpose flour
• half and half - you can also substitute with whole milk
• vegetable broth - or chicken broth.
• cheddar cheese - feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Some great options are white cheddar, mozzarella. Monterey Jack, and gruyere.
• salt and pepper
• broccoli
• panko breadcrumbs - I like the super crispy texutr of Panko but you csn use regular breadcrumbs if you wish.

This broccoli cheddar casserole is also customizable. Switch up the flavors with your favorite seasoning, make it a filling main dish by adding in some cooked rice, or add in other vegetables such as mushrooms and carrots.

How to Make the Best Broccoli Cheese Casserole

1. Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium- high heat until it starts to bubble, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Make sauce. Stir in flour until evenly combined and cook for 1 minute. Add milk and chicken broth. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and keep stirring until thickened to a desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add cheese and broccoli. Turn off the heat and stir in half of the cheddar cheese until melted and well combined, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in broccoli florets and toss well to coat.
4. Assemble. Transfer and spread creamy broccoli mixture evenly into a 2.4 qt casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
5. Prepare breadcrumbs. In a small mixing bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Stir well until evenly combined. Sprinkle on top of the casserole.
6. Bake. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in a 350F preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake uncovered for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
7. Serve. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

More Side Dish Recipes

• Green Bean Casserole
• Potatoes au Gratin
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Corn Casserole
• Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
• Honey Roasted Carrots

Recipe

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

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• Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Broccoli cheese casserole is creamy, cheesy, and delicious — the most comforting side dish. It’s crispy on the outside but soft and tender inside.

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half and half (or whole milk)
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 2-3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 lb. broccoli florets (about 6 cups)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium- high heat until it starts to bubble, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in flour until evenly combined and cook for 1 minute. Add milk and chicken broth. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and keep stirring until thickened to a desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in half of the cheddar cheese until melted and well combined, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in broccoli florets and toss well to coat.
5. Transfer and spread creamy broccoli mixture evenly into a 2.4 qt casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
6. In a small mixing bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Stir well until evenly combined. Sprinkle on top of the casserole.
7. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake uncovered for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
8. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

Notes

How to store: I like to keep casseroles in the same dish I make them in. After cooling, wrap your casserole in plastic cling wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also transfer and store in an airtight container.

How to reheat: The best way to reheat a casserole is in the oven at 350F for 15-30 minutes (depending on the size of your meal). Wrap it loosely in aluminum foil before baking.

Microwave instructions: You can also reheat broccoli cheese casserole in the microwave if you’re in a hurry. Heat in a covered microwave-safe dish for 2-5 minutes on medium-low heat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American

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