Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
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This Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe is the ultimate cheesy, comforting side dish made from scratch with fresh broccoli, a creamy homemade sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. It’s ready in under an hour, can be made ahead, and is perfect for holidays, weeknight dinners, and family meals.
The rich creamy sauce and golden, crunchy topping of this broccoli cheese casserole make it a comfort food family favorite! This updated classic recipe from my childhood uses fresh ingredients and a homemade sauce, resulting in an amazing flavor. It’s simple to make and a crowd-pleaser, whether you serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a weeknight supper. It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.
Why you’ll love this family favorite Broccoli Cheese Casserole!
This fresh take on an iconic classic casserole is the most delicious I’ve ever tasted—and you’ll love how simple it is to prepare.
For generations, broccoli cheese casseroles have been a part of potlucks, family dinners, and holidays. After I made this made-from-scratch version, it’s become my very favorite and I haven’t looked back!
It is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter with Turkey Breast or Roasted Turkey. It is also delicious anytime with Roast Chicken or Baked Chicken Breasts, making it a favorite part of a cozy family dinner. I’m looking forward to you trying it!
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Made From Scratch Flavor: This creamy sauce tastes better than canned soup versions.
- Quick and Easy: Prep quickly and bake to deliciousness in under an hour.
- Kid and Family Favorite: Kid-approved and great for weeknight side dishes or gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Ease: Assemble ahead for fuss-free holidays and dinners.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets cut from whole heads of broccoli; pre-cut florets are also acceptable.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted, adds richness.
- All-purpose Flour: Thickens homemade sauce.
- Milk: Use whole milk or heavy cream for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Kosher Salt: I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. If you substitute Morton’s Kosher salt, fine sea salt, or table salt, use half the amount specified in the recipe.
- Ground Black Pepper: Alternatively, you can use white pepper if you prefer.
- Cayenne Pepper: Use only a little for added flavor. If sensitive to cayenne, omit it.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Adds creamy, delicious flavor to homemade sauce.
- Sour Cream: Adds slightly tangy flavor and silky richness to the sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Tops the casserole as it bakes.
- Buttery Crackers: Adds a crispy, buttery topping.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This simple, made-from-scratch recipe for this iconic casserole gives the best flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare your baking dish. Cut the broccoli into florets, add to a large pot of boiling water, and cook. Drain cooked broccoli and set aside.
- Melt butter in a skillet or saucepan. Whisk in flour until well combined. Then, whisk in milk, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Monterey Jack cheese. Reduce heat as directed and continue to whisk until sauce simmers a bit around the edges and has thickened slightly. Stir in the sour cream.
- Arrange the broccoli in a casserole dish and pour the cream sauce over it. Top with cheddar cheese and crushed buttery crackers. Bake uncovered until bubbling. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Make it Cheesier: Add 1/2 cup cheese to the sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and crackers.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use Fresh Broccoli: Boil just until tender.
- Get a Thick, Creamy Sauce: Whisk constantly to prevent lumps.
- No Over-Browning: Tent with foil if topping seems to brown too quickly.
- Test for Doneness: Ready when it’s bubbly and heated completely through.
Storage Tips
- Store: Cool, cover tightly or put in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble unbaked (without final cheese and cracker topping) or cool baked casserole, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If the casserole is unbaked, thaw overnight, then top with the final cheese and cracker topping and bake as directed.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble without the final topping of cheese and butter crackers. Store the unbaked casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When ready to bake, top with the cheese and crackers and bake as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Stir in 1-2 cups of shredded chicken for a complete meal.
Yes! Divide this recipe to make fewer servings or prepare the full recipe and divide it into two smaller dishes. Bake one for now, then hold off on adding the topping to the second dish and freeze it for later.
Yes, you can. I prefer to use my homemade cheesy cream sauce or my homemade cream of chicken soup, but you can use your favorite canned soup if needed. If you use canned soup, omit the ingredients for cheesy cream sauce.
Other Favorite Casseroles and Side Dishes
Why This Broccoli Cheese Casserole Is A Favorite Side
With its creamy homemade sauce, tender broccoli, and crunchy topping, this broccoli cheese casserole is a tasty, comforting dish for holidays and family dinners. It’s easy to make from scratch and is always a crowd favorite.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 heads broccoli, cut into florets (about 8 cups)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup grated monterey jack cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crushed buttery crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray a 13 x 9 – inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add broccoli florets to a large heavy-bottomed stockpot of boiling water. Cook for 3-5 minutes and then drain broccoli from the water. Set aside.
- Melt butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour until well-combined, then whisk in milk, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and 1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese. Reduce heat to simmer and continue to whisk until sauce simmers slightly around the edges and has thickened slightly. Stir in sour cream.
- Arrange broccoli in casserole dish and then pour cream sauce over broccoli. Top with cheddar cheese and crushed crackers.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Store: Cool, cover tightly or put in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble unbaked (without final cheese and cracker topping) or cool baked casserole, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If the casserole is unbaked, thaw overnight, then top with the final cheese and cracker topping and bake as directed.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble without the final topping of cheese and butter crackers. Store the unbaked casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When ready to bake, top with the cheese and crackers and bake as directed.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
This was different from my usual broccoli casserole but it’s a new favorite! The rich cheesy sauce with just the perfect kick of cayenne was a winner at our recent church luncheon. Several asked for the recipe. I made mine with 2% milk but otherwise made it exactly as written. This one’s a keeper!
Thanks so much Summer! xo
In a few days our church is feeding homeless teens and young adults. We are doing a potato bar type of thing and I thought broccoli with cheese sauce would be a good topping. Is this something that can be made a head of time and would maybe be good to scoop on top of a potato along with chili and our other choices? Or do you thing it’s too thick. I’m trying to do something where I can get it ready ahead of time and not wait have a last minute rush out the door type of thing occur.
Hi Jan,
I’ve not used this as a potato topping before so I can’t say how that tastes, but it is very delicious casserole.
You can make it ahead of time if you want to freeze, you’ll just want to omit the cheese and cracker topping if you plan to freeze until right before you plan to bake it.
I want to mention a couple of additional ideas that could help you with options:
Hot Pimento Cheese Dip, Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip are both delicious hot dips.
I hope this helps. Best of luck to your church for this dinner – what a blessing to so many! xo
This is 1 of my favs for Thanksgiving. Instead of regular bread crumbs I crush slices of leftover garlic bread and use that for the topping. Never fails to be the first empty bowl on the table,
So glad you like it, Jillian! Thanks so much!
Help!!
Love this recipe but need to know if it can be made Tuesday for Thanksgiving dinner. No room in the freezer!
Thanks for the quick response
Pam
Hi Pam!
Yes – I give detailed instructions on how to make your Thanksgiving meal ahead, including the Broccoli Cheese Casserole, in my Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes post. It helps me so much too!
If cauliflower is substituted for the broccoli should it be balanced first?
Awesome! Everyone in the family loved it 🙂
So glad you all enjoyed it, Nicole! Thanks so much!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely! It holds well in the refrigerator and then just reheat at 350º F until it reaches 165º F internally, about 30 minutes.
This recipe is perfect. Thanks for the upgrade! The Monterey and Cheddar cheeses are perfect together. My family loves this instead of steamed broccoli.
So happy you enjoy this Tomika! You’ve reminded me how much I love this so I’m going to have to make it this week! Thanks so much! xo
Just making this ahead for christmas dinner and just from tasting the sauce I know this will be great. I had to thin my sauce a little with milk because it got way too thick — maybe because I used rice flour (we have 2 people with Celiacs in the family). Anyway, thanks for the recipe. I was never crazy about using soup in recipes and searched for broccoli casserole without soup and I’m so glad I chose your recipe from the several that came up.
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much, Caryl! Merry Christmas! xo
I’m signed up to make my family’s traditional version of this casserole, which uses a certain block cheese product. I’ve threatened to do my own, being a fairly accomplished cook, and met with resistance. I might just spring this on them anyway lol, its sounds so good.
I hope you enjoy this, Jim! My family loves it! Thanks so much!
Hallelujah! Finally a casserole with no canned stuff, no mayo, no eggs, no rice. Just cheesy goodness and broccoli. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Marilyn! I hope you enjoy it! It’s one of our favorites! xo
HI Robyn,
This recipe sounds delicious. Have you made it ahead of time (like the day before)? What adjustments would I need to make, if any?