Easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Modified: Oct 28, 2024 · Published: Oct 28, 2023 by Sharon Rigsby · 100 Comments

Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers is the ultimate comfort food-classic, simple, and always a hit! It’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious, perfect for a busy weeknight or even a holiday spread. Trust me, this one's going to be a family favorite!

This easy broccoli casserole recipe features fresh or frozen 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.

The crunchy topping, made with buttery crushed Ritz crackers and even more cheese, takes this dish to the next level.

A serving of broccoli cheese casserole topped with crushed Ritz crackers on a white plate with a forkful above it.

Loaded with cheesy goodness, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe is a crowd favorite during the holidays, and this iconic southern casserole is comfort food at its finest.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!

Jump to:

Reasons I love this recipe, and you will, too!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
How to make this broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers
Serving and menu suggestions
Recipe variations
How to make this casserole ahead of time
How to store and reheat leftovers
Recipe FAQs
Insider tips for perfect results
More Broccoli Recipes You’ll Love
Recipe:

Reasons I love this recipe, and you will, too!

This recipe is so easy to make that even a novice cook can master it. Five minutes of prep time is all you need to prepare this dish for the oven.
It is incredibly versatile. It’s a delicious side dish for weeknight meals, potlucks, and holiday feasts. You can also serve it as a vegetarian main course.
Like my Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta, this casserole is irresistibly delicious. The creamy cheese sauce and crunchy Ritz cracker topping are a match made in heaven.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Let's talk ingredients: what you need, what you can swap, and how to make it work with what's in your pantry. These are the main ingredients; the full list with measurements is waiting down in the recipe card.

Ingredients for broccoli cheese casserole include broccoli florets, shredded cheese, and a bowl of sour cream.

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 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!

Complete measurements are listed in the recipe below.

How to make this broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers

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.

Mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, and other ingredients in a clear glass bowl.

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

Broccoli mixed with cream of mushroom soup and other ingredients in a clear glass bowl.

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.

Ritz crackers in a food processor are being crushed.

Liberally spray a 2-quart casserole dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Add the broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Broccoli and cream of mushroom soup mixture in an oval baking dish.

Top with the Ritz cracker crumbs and the rest of the shredded cheese.

Broccoli cheese casserole topped with crushed Ritz crackers in an oval baking dish ready to bake.

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.

A broccoli cheese casserole in a white baking dish on a table.

Serving and menu suggestions

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

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, Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, and Southern Cornbread Pudding,

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 chicken or even pork chops before baking.
Additionally, feel free to sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top before baking.

How to make this casserole ahead of time

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.

To freeze, 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.

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.

How to store and reheat leftovers

To store: 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 for 2-3 months. Be sure to defrost the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat in the oven, Preheat the oven to 350°F. If the casserole isn’t already in an oven-safe dish, transfer it to 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 single serving on a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Leave a small corner open to let steam escape. Heat on medium power for 30-45 seconds, 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 broccoli cheese casserole?

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 the broccoli before adding it to this broccoli casserole?

I don’t usually blanch fresh broccoli first because I like it crisp. However, if using fresh broccoli and you prefer a softer texture, blanch it briefly before adding-it makes a big difference in the final dish.

How to blanch fresh broccoli?

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 are more breakfast-oriented, such as my Mushroom and Broccoli Frittata.

Insider tips for perfect results

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 fried onion rings. 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.