Broccoli Cheese Casserole Delight (Printable version)

Tender broccoli baked in creamy cheese sauce with a golden, buttery cracker topping for a comforting side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 5 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, approx. 2 medium heads)

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - ½ cup sour cream
08 - 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

12 - 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until mixture is smooth.
05 - Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in sour cream, shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Gently mix the blanched broccoli florets with the cheese sauce in a large bowl until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
07 - Combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the broccoli and cheese.
08 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
09 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Ritz topping gets shatteringly crisp while the casserole stays creamy underneath, creating texture that actually makes people enjoy broccoli.
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you fussed all day, which is the best kind of kitchen magic.
  • Works perfectly as a side dish but substantial enough to satisfy even the non-vegetable enthusiasts at your table.
02 -
  • Drain that blanched broccoli really well or excess moisture will pool at the bottom and make your casserole watery instead of creamy.
  • Don't skip the roux step or add flour directly to the milk; it creates lumps that won't disappear no matter how hard you whisk.
  • The Ritz crackers stay crispier if you mix them with butter right before topping rather than making the mixture in advance.
03 -
  • Use a whisk instead of a spoon when making your sauce and you'll avoid lumps entirely, which is worth the extra dish.
  • Toast the crushed crackers briefly in a dry skillet before mixing with butter to deepen their flavor and make the topping even more addictive.
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