Cheesy Harissa Broccoli Casserole

This broccoli casserole is cheesy, saucy, and full of flavor! Harissa paste adds a spicy kick, while the cream cheese and cheddar make it perfectly cheesy. The best part? It's all made in one dish, so cleanup is a breeze.

This harissa broccoli casserole is the perfect side dish for almost any meal! It’s simple to make, but packs tons of flavor. The harissa adds great flavor to the crunchy texture of broccoli. You won’t be able to resist digging in.

While this is a perfect comfort food dish for any cool evening, you might want something a bit lighter. If so, check out our healthy broccoli casserole as an alternative.

harissa broccoli casserole in glass dish

What Does Broccoli Casserole Go With?

This harissa broccoli casserole is the perfect vegetable side dish for many recipes. I love this with a simple cheesy chicken and rice casserole, but it goes great alongside chicken stuffing casserole as well. It's super versatile, and while it could be a meal by itself, you'll likely want to add a bit more to it for a satisfying entree. It could even pair well with this chicken meatball casserole. This would also be excellent alongside some grilled pork chops or other grilled meats.

Serve this casserole with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad along with your favorite grilled protein for a complete meal. You can also try it with different types of cheese, I think pepper jack cheese would be really good for this.

cheesy harissa broccoli casserole serving on white plate

Ingredients

1 pound broccoli florets (500 g)
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup cream cheese
1 tablespoon harissa paste
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

large bowl of fresh broccoli next to small white bowls of butter and cheese on gray table

Kitchen Tools You May Need

glass baking dish of broccoli and cheese sitting on gray table

How to Make a Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Video Recipe

Start by cutting fresh broccoli into florets or bite-sized pieces. If using frozen broccoli, let it thaw completely then squeeze out any excess liquid and pat it dry. Preheat the oven to 410°F/210°C and then spray the baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside.

In a medium skillet, you will begin the sauce by melting the butter over medium heat. Once it has melted, whisk in the flour as the base of your roux. Let this cook for 1-minute.

flour and butter making roux in pan on hot plate

Then, whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps. Then, let this simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened. About 8 to 10 minutes.

To the skillet, you will add the harissa paste and cream cheese. Whisk it well, then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is nice and thick.

creamy yellow sauce in stockpot on hot plate

Now, you will assemble the casserole for baking. Pour in about ⅓ of the sauce into the base of your baking dish and spread evenly just to coat the bottom.

Then put the broccoli florets into the baking dish, spreading them evenly.

Finally, top with the remaining sauce, making sure all of the broccoli is covered.

cheese sauce being poured over broccoli in glass baking dish

Bake the casserole for 20 to 25 minutes until the broccoli is tender and the top is golden brown. If desired, sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top before putting it into the oven.

black spoon in cheesy harissa broccoli casserole sitting on white striped napkin

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harissa?

Harissa is a North African hot chili pepper paste that is common in Tunisian, Algerian, and Moroccan cuisine. The word "harissa" comes from the Arabic verb meaning "to break into pieces". It is typically made with roasted bell peppers, fresh chili peppers, paprika, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and lemon juice. Harissa paste can be used as a condiment or ingredient in tagines, couscous dishes, and stews. It adds a unique depth of flavor to a basic broccoli casserole to elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary as a side dish.

What Can I Use In Place of Harissa?

If you can't find harissa paste, you can use a combination of chili powder, paprika, and cumin to create a similar flavor profile. This won't be an authentic harissa paste, but it will still be delicious and will have the closest flavor to Harissa.

What Cheeses Are Best for Broccoli Casserole?

The best cheeses for this casserole are sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan. These cheeses have a strong flavor that can stand up to the boldness of the harissa paste. If you prefer a milder cheese, you can use mozzarella or gouda, and of course, the cream cheese helps add to the creaminess of the sauce more than the flavor.

Can I Use Other Vegetables In This Dish?

Yes! This dish is also delicious with roasted cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or potatoes. It could even be used with diced sweet potatoes. I really like to add some chopped kale for some extra nutrients. It can also be served with some quinoa for a fiber and protein-packed entree.

cheesy broccoli in glass dish on gray table with striped napkin

More Easy Vegetable Casseroles

If you feel like vegetables are hard to make flavorful as side dishes, look no further than these! Whether it's broccoli like this or asparagus with a more woody texture and flavor, below are some excellent casserole recipes that feature your favorite nutritious vegetables. Make one of these dishes to pair with your entrees this week! Bookmark these recipes, print out the recipes, or just pin them to Pinterest to make them soon.

Yield: 4

Cheesy Harissa Broccoli Casserole

This delicious cheesy harissa broccoli casserole is a unique spin on a classic vegetable side dish that packs a ton of flavor and is sure to wow any crowd!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound broccoli florets (500 g)
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup cream cheese
1 tablespoon harissa paste
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

If using frozen broccoli, allow it to thaw, then squeeze/pat off any excess moisture. For fresh broccoli, simply wash, pat dry, and cut into florets.
Preheat the oven to 410°F/210°C and then spray the bottom and sides of a 10" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-minute.
Pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Then, let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for another 8 to 10 minutes until thickened.
To the sauce, add the cream cheese, harissa paste, and shredded cheddar. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is combined completely.
Pour ⅓ of this sauce into the baking dish.
Top this with the broccoli florets.
Then, pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top covering the broccoli.
If desired, sprinkle additional shredded cheddar on top before baking for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling on top.