Description
This Creamy Broccoli Cheese Bake is pure comfort in a dish, bringing together tender broccoli and a rich, cheesy sauce with a delightful cracker topping. It’s the kind of heartwarming meal that feels both special and wonderfully familiar, perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets, steamed until tender
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom or chicken soup
1 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (divided)
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
First, prepare your oven and baking dish. Next, chop the steamed broccoli and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the condensed soup, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, onion, salt, and pepper. Gently stir in the broccoli and most of the cheese. Spread this mixture into the prepared baking dish. For the topping, combine the crushed crackers, remaining cheese, and butter, then sprinkle over the casserole. Bake until golden and bubbly.
Notes
Ensure your broccoli is steamed until tender but not mushy. Overcooked broccoli can become watery and lose its appealing texture in the final bake.
When incorporating the broccoli and cheese into the creamy mixture, fold them in gently. This helps maintain the integrity of the broccoli florets and prevents the cheese from becoming overly greasy.
Make sure to spread the cracker topping evenly across the entire surface of the casserole. This ensures every bite has that delightful crunchy contrast.
The bake is ready when the edges are visibly bubbling and the topping is golden. Ovens can vary, so keeping an eye on it during the last 10 minutes of baking is a good idea.
Allowing the bake to rest for a few minutes after coming out of the oven helps the filling set up, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too runny.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Cuisine: American