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A large spoonful of broccoli casserole in a baking dish.
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Southern Broccoli Casserole

This homemade Southern Broccoli Casserole features tender fresh broccoli in a rich, creamy cheddar cheese filling, topped with buttery Ritz crackers and baked until golden brown. An easy Southern side dish for holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish, Sides
Cuisine: American, Southern, Southern Comfort
Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 429kcal
Author: Jeremy Klae

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base

  • 9 Cups fresh broccoli florets chopped (about 4 heads)
  • 10 ¾ oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 Cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbls butter for garlic and onion
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Cup extra-sharp cheddar cheese shredded

For the Topping

  • 1 Cup extra-sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 Cups Ritz crackers finely crushed
  • 4 tablespoon Melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cut the fresh broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces.
  • Once all the broccoli is chopped, transfer it to your steamer and let it cook for about three to four minutes, or just until it begins to soften.
  • While the broccoli is steaming, go ahead and dice the onion.
  • Once the broccoli has softened, remove it from the steamer and set it aside.
  • Heat some butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Once the butter has melted, add the diced onion.
  • Sauté the onion until it begins to soften and develop a little color.
  • Once the onion has softened, stir in the fresh minced garlic.
  • Continue cooking just until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and set the onion and garlic mixture aside.
  • Grab two sleeves of Ritz crackers and place them into a large resealable bag.
  • Break the crackers into small crumbs using your hands, a rolling pin, or whatever you've got handy. Once the crackers are crushed, set them aside.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, crack in the eggs and give them a good whisk.
  • Add the cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, salt, and black pepper.
  • Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
  • Fold in one cup of freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Add the steamed broccoli to the creamy cheese mixture. Give everything a good stir until the broccoli is evenly coated.
  • Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture stirring until it's evenly combined.
  • Transfer the crushed Ritz crackers to a mixing bowl.
  • Pour in four tablespoons of melted butter.
  • Using a fork, stir everything together until the cracker crumbs are evenly coated with the butter.
  • Transfer the broccoli casserole mixture into an 8-by-11-inch baking dish.
  • Use a silicone spatula to spread everything out as evenly as possible.
  • Once the filling is level, sprinkle another cup of freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese over the top.
  • eEvenly spread the buttery Ritz cracker crumbs over the entire casserole.
  • Transfer the casserole to your preheated oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 to 40 minutes or until the center is set.
  • If the topping is already getting dark but the casserole needs a little more time, loosely cover it with aluminum foil and continue baking.
  • If the casserole is fully cooked but you want that cracker topping a little more golden brown, you can switch your oven to the lowest broil setting for a minute or two.
  • Once it's finished baking, carefully remove the casserole from the oven.
  • Let it rest for a few minutes before serving so the filling has a chance to settle.

Notes

Don't Overcook the Broccoli: The broccoli will continue cooking in the oven, so you only want to soften it slightly beforehand. Overcooking it during the blanching step can leave you with mushy broccoli in the finished casserole.
Drain the Broccoli Thoroughly: Excess moisture is one of the biggest reasons broccoli casseroles turn out watery. After blanching, let the broccoli drain well before adding it to the creamy filling.
Use Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Extra-sharp cheddar adds a stronger cheese flavor that stands up nicely to the cream of mushroom soup and mayonnaise. For the smoothest melting, shred the cheese yourself.
Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Cooking the onions and garlic in butter before adding them to the filling develops their flavor and prevents large pieces of undercooked onion from ending up in the finished casserole.
Keep the Cheese and Crackers in Separate Layers: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar directly over the broccoli mixture before adding the buttered cracker crumbs. This creates a cheesy layer beneath the crispy topping.
Finish Under the Broiler: For an extra golden, crispy Ritz cracker topping, place the casserole under the broiler on low for a minute or two after baking. Watch it carefully because the buttery crackers can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly.
Let the Casserole Rest Before Serving: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes gives the filling a chance to firm up slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 822mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 993IU | Vitamin C: 72mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg