Easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers

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This easy, make-ahead recipe for Broccoli Cheese Casserole is the best ever, with crisp fresh broccoli florets smothered in a smooth and creamy cheese sauce made with simple ingredients such as tangy sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and sharp cheddar cheese.

A crunchy topping made with buttery, crushed Ritz crackers and even more cheese kicks it up a notch and completes this popular, classic cheesy broccoli casserole.

Broccoli cheese casserole in a white baking dish with a silver spoon.

Loaded with cheesy goodness, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe is a holiday crowd favorite and comfort food at its finest. This easy broccoli casserole recipe also makes the perfect side dish for the whole family and for picky eaters who won’t even realize they are eating vegetables.

In the South, we love a good casserole, and most southern cooks have an arsenal of great recipes tucked away.

Besides this iconic southern casserole, Southern Chicken Divan, Southern Sweet Onion Casserole, Southern Pineapple Casserole, and Terry’s Sweet Potato Casserole are also ideal to take to a holiday dinner, potlucks, church suppers, a new neighbor, or take a sick friend.

Here’s why you will love this recipe:

Not only does this quick and easy recipe take about five minutes to prepare, but it is a delicious side dish that you can make it up to 24 hours ahead of time. Then, all you have to do is pop it in the oven on the big day.
Although a classic holiday dish, easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole is also an easy side dish for Sunday supper or an easy weeknight side dish, It is also perfect for special occasions and potlucks and a great option for any meal where you want to impress your entire family or guests!
And, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, this iconic broccoli and cheese casserole pairs beautifully with just about any entrée and can be served as a comforting side dish for brunch or dinner or as a vegetarian main dish.

Ingredients for Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Fresh broccoli florets or frozen broccoli – brings a unique flavor profile to this traditional side dish, and either one works in this recipe. Tender broccoli, along with cauliflower and cabbage, is considered a cruciferous vegetable high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Sour cream – provides a creamy base and tangy deliciousness.

Mayonnaise – another thick and creamy base component- adds sweetness and tangy flavor.

Cream of mushroom condensed soup – has been used as the base of hundreds of casseroles over the years and is an essential component of this creamy casserole recipe.

Sharp cheddar cheese – it couldn’t be a broccoli cheddar casserole without cheese, and the melted sharp cheddar cheese adds cheesy goodness and adds another dimension to the sauce.

Garlic powder, Kosher salt, ground black pepper: these seasonings all come together to enhance the other ingredients’ flavors.

Ritz crackers – the crispy topping made from these buttery crackers is one of the best parts of this casserole.

Unsalted butter – is combined with the cracker crumbs to make the topping rich and buttery!

Directions – here’s how you make it:

When ready to start, gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and one cup of grated cheese in a large bowl.

A glass bowl with mayonnaise, sour cream and cheese.

Mix well, and add the broccoli to the cheese mixture!

A white baking dish full of broccoli casserole.

Place the crackers in a food processor with a steel blade and process. Add the melted butter to the crushed crackers and pulse a few times to combine. Or, you can manually crush the Ritz crackers with your hands and mix them with the melted butter.
Liberally spray a 2-quart casserole dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Add the broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread out evenly. Top with the Ritz cracker crumbs and the rest of the shredded cheese.

A broccoli casserole topped with crushed Ritz crackers.

Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes of cooking time or until it is bubbly and the cracker crust is golden brown. Let it sit for about five minutes and serve hot.

Broccoli cheese casserole in a white baking dish on top of a blue kitchen towel

What to serve it with:

This family-friendly casserole is a holiday staple in our house, and it is always front and center on Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas.

I usually serve it with either Baked Ham with Pineapple and Cherries or Smoked Turkey for the holidays.

Other side dishes that pair well with it include Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Bundles Wrapped in Bacon, Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing, Spicy Southern Corn Casserole, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, and Sweet and Sour Green Beans.

You can find more holiday recipes by checking out these links: Thanksgiving recipes, Christmas recipes, and Easter recipes.

Recipe variations:

Want to change things up a bit?

Feel free to add a cup of cooked chopped chicken or two cups of cooked brown rice, white rice, or orzo to make a cheesy broccoli rice casserole.
You can also replace half of the broccoli with cauliflower or top the casserole with pork chops before baking.
Additionally, feel free to sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top before baking.

Make it ahead:

To make this casserole ahead of time, assemble the dish, but do not add the cracker topping. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake it, add the topping and bake as directed.

If it is cold right out of the fridge, let it come to room temperature first, or you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.

Leftovers, storage, and reheating:

Storage – Let the casserole come to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can be safely stored in the fridge for about 3-4 days or frozen in the freezer for 2-3 months. Be sure to defrost the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating in the oven – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Transfer the casserole to an oven-safe dish if it isn’t already in one. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to help retain moisture. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the casserole is heated through. The time might vary depending on the quantity and thickness of the leftovers.
To reheat in the microwave – place a casserole serving on a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Leave a small corner open to let steam escape. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then check. If it’s not thoroughly reheated, continue in 30-second increments.

Recipe FAQs:

Is it better to use fresh or frozen broccoli in this recipe?

You can use three stalks of fresh broccoli or one 15-ounce bag of frozen. Either works perfectly in this side dish.

Do you have to cook fresh broccoli before putting it in the casserole?

I don’t usually blanch fresh broccoli first because I like it crisp. However, if you prefer your broccoli a little softer, you will want to blanch it first.

How to blanch it?

To blanch fresh broccoli, place it in a bowl, add a tablespoon of water, cover with a plate and steam it in the microwave for about two minutes.

Do you have to cook frozen broccoli before putting it in the casserole?

No, frozen broccoli has already been blanched and does not need to be cooked first.

Do you put eggs in broccoli casserole?

Most recipes for broccoli cheese casserole do not call for eggs as an ingredient, and this one is no exception. Recipes that call for adding eggs tend to be more breakfast-oriented such as my Mushroom and Broccoli Frittata or Broccoli Cheese Bake.

Can this dish be frozen?

Yes, make the casserole as directed, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking it.

Recipe variations:

Want to change things up a bit?

Feel free to add a cup of cooked chopped chicken or two cups of cooked brown rice, white rice, or orzo to make a cheesy broccoli rice casserole.
You can also replace half of the broccoli with cauliflower or top the casserole with pork chops before baking.
Additionally, feel free to sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top before baking.

Sharon’s tips:

If you don’t have any Ritz crackers, you can use any butter crackers, or crush croutons and use them instead. You can substitute crushed club crackers, panko bread crumbs, or canned fried onions. To make it low-carb, substitute crushed pork skins for the crackers.
You can also substitute cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup in a pinch.
When testing your broccoli to see if it is done, try a piece of the stalk and not a floret, which will cook much faster.
If you prefer soft broccoli, you might also want to leave the casserole in the oven for an additional five minutes or until it is a consistency you like.
To change things up a bit, if you don’t have cheddar you can substitute gruyere, fontina, Havarti, a Mexican blend, an Italian blend of cheeses, Velveeta, or even Cheez Whiz.
If you are using frozen broccoli, you do not have to thaw it first.
This recipe as written makes about six servings. If you need to feed more people, you can double the recipe and use a 9×12 inch baking dish.