This broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is a cheesy and delicious way to enjoy your veggies! Made with fresh broccoli and topped with crispy Ritz crackers, this casserole is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It makes the perfect side dish that easily gets even a picky eater to devour broccoli at dinner time.
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Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
This cheesy broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is the perfect side dish for any occasion! Itโs cheesy, creamy, and best of all โ it only takes minutes to prepare and pop into the oven. This casserole is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, or serve this casserole at your next potluck or family gathering and watch it disappear! Everyone will love the cheesy goodness of this dish.
You might also like this healthy broccoli casserole or even a dish like this cheesy chicken and rice dish or the turkey and pasta casserole that have broccoli as just part of the main dish.
What Does Broccoli Casserole Go With?
One of the best things about this easy casserole is that it is the ideal side dish for many of your favorite entrees. You can serve this alongside any grilled, sauteed, or baked protein. It is a great side dish to take to potlucks or holiday meals and goes well with ham, turkey, and roast beef just as easily as it does a simple hamburger steak on a weeknight at home.
Of course, I love it alongside pasta dishes like our creamy spaghetti or even this spinach mushroom ricotta stuffed pasta. Both are full meals already, but you can add this extra vegetable to them for a little more nutrients and make the meal more satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15g)
- 1 ยฝ pounds broccoli (700g)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (3g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper (3g)
- 5 oz Boursin garlic herb cheese (150g)
- ยฝ cup heavy cream (120g)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (120g)
- 25 Ritz crackers
- โ cup salted butter (76g)
Note: If you can't find Boursin in your local grocery store, you can make homemade Boursin with a few ingredients you have on hand.
Useful Kitchen Tools
How to Make Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Video recipe:
Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF/180ยฐC, spray the bottom and sides of a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside. If using fresh broccoli, cut it into small florets and discard the stem. For frozen broccoli, remove it from the freezer and pat it dry.
In a large non-stick skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the olive and the broccoli florets over medium heat. Cook, stirring regularly, for 3 minutes.
Now, season the broccoli with salt and black pepper, as well as the adding in the minced garlic. Cook for an additional 1 minute.
Next, add in the heavy cream, and Boursin cheese, and stir together to coat the broccoli. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and the broccoli is coated.
Pour the broccoli into the baking dish and spread out evenly. Top the broccoli with the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Mix the crushed cracker crumbs and melted butter together in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the top of the cheese on the casserole.
Bake this for 20-minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Chef's Tip
You can save cleanup and time making this broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers, by using a Dutch oven for this recipe. Everything can be cooked in it on the stovetop, then simply sprinkle on the cheese and crumbled cracker mixture before baking as directed, directly in the Dutch oven!
If you want more recipes like this that are great for your Dutch Oven, then check out my book, The Complete Dutch Oven Cookbook for 105 recipes that are ideal for this versatile kitchen tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have to Cook Broccoli Before Putting It In A Casserole?
While it isn't absolutely necessary, I find that it helps to soften the broccoli and make it fork tender. Plus, the sauce needs to heat through and cook to combine before baking.
If you prefer to not cook the broccoli first, you can simply heat the sauce ingredients and toss them with the broccoli before pouring them into the casserole as directed.
If I am using frozen broccoli, I like to have the broccoli thawed before adding it to the casserole because the access water is removed when it is thawed.
Do You Put Eggs in Broccoli Casserole?
There are some broccoli casserole recipes that use eggs, but this one does not. The creamy, silkiness of the casserole is made using heavy cream and herb cheese spread.
Can You Freeze Broccoli Casserole?
This broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is perfect to freeze because it tastes great and reheats well. The casserole can be frozen in two ways. First, you can freeze it as a whole casserole or I like to freeze it in individual servings so that I can take them out as needed.
If you are freezing the casserole as a whole, wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and then again in foil. I like to use a disposable pan so that my regular baking dishes are not out of commission. If you are using reusable pans, make sure the pan is freezer safe.
To freeze in small portions, simply place the desired amount of casserole into a freezer-safe container or bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When youโre ready to eat, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the oven or microwave.
More Easy Vegetable Casseroles
Getting kids to eat vegetables can be tough, but the casseroles below feature favorites that are easy to make and sure to please everyone at your dinner table. Make sure you bookmark these, print out the recipes to save or pin them to Pinterest to make soon!
- Green Bean Casserole
- Asparagus Casserole
- Cheesy Corn Casserole
- Cauliflower Casserole
- Scalloped Potato Casserole
- String Bean and Mushroom Casserole
- Spinach Casserole
Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
This classic broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers uses a unique herbed cheese blend to create a creamy sauce that balances well with the buttery cracker topping.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15g)
- 1 ยฝ pounds broccoli, cut into florets (700g)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (3g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper (3g)
- 5 oz Boursin garlic herb cheese (150g)
- ยฝ cup heavy cream (120g)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (120g)
- 25 Ritz crackers
- โ cup salted butter, melted (76g)
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F/180°C and spraying a large baking dish with non-stick spray. (9"x13")
- Now, in a large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the broccoli florets, and cook, stirring regularly, for 3 minutes.
- Lightly season with salt and black pepper, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Now, add in the cream and Boursin cheese and stir into the broccoli well. Continue cooking over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is all melted and incorporated nicely.
- Now, pour this broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle them over the top of the cheese on the casserole.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Notes
For a different flavor, try using half broccoli and half cauliflower in this casserole.
Recommended Products
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Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 495Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 885mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 16g
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