Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Rich, Savory, CHEESY and COVERED with A BUTTERY BACON CRACKER Crumbles! Who says no to that? NO ONE! Cheesy Broccoli Casserole (with BACON!)

Why This Recipe Works

• Because it is EASY, just mix it and forget it until time to bake!
• FAST
• Super Delicious with the Surprise Addition of Bacon!! 

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1. Chop up the fresh ingredients. Mix it all together in a bowl.

STEP 3. Pour into a prepared 9×13 dish and spread it out. Then crush up a sleeve of crackers and add the bacon grease to those. Spread that over the top of the casserole. 

STEP 4. Bake till bubbly. 

Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQ’s) for Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

What Kind Of Broccoli Do I Use? 

I like to use the chopped frozen broccoli florets. Try to avoid the ones that have a lot of stems in them. The stems can be kind of woody. 

Can I Use Fresh Broccoli Instead? 

Yes, it will take about two small or one large head of broccoli. You will need to Blanch It Till Softend First

What Kind Of Cheese Should I Use? 

We use a sharp cheddar or a melting cheddar mix. Sometimes I use Velveeta, if that is what I have. It melts nicely and the kids love it. 

Why Do You Use Bacon Grease for the Cracker Crumb Top?

You CAN make the crumb top with butter, but why waste that delicious bacon grease only to melt butter (which is also a grease) and use it for the top? 

Can I Freeze This Broccoli Casserole?

In a word. No. Don’t. It has mayonnaise in it and it will come back out of the freezer a gross consistency.

Technically, you COULD freeze it part of the way done, chop everything and mix it together EXCEPT the mayo and the cracker crumb top. Then when you are ready to use it, take it out of the freezer, thaw it, add the mayo, spread it in a baking dish, add the cracker crumb top and bake it.

But why would you do that? It wouldn’t take much more time to just do it all when you are making the casserole.

I Want a Broccoli Casserole Recipe without Canned Soup

If you want to make this recipe without the canned soup, substitute as follows: 

For the Can of Soup

Either / Or

• 1 Cup of Sour Cream + ½ tsp of celery seed + ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt + ½ tsp celery seed + ½ tsp kosher salt
• Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

Can I Make Cheesy Broccoli Casserole Ahead? 

Yes! Of course! That is the beauty of making this dish! Make it up to 2 days ahead, cover and keep refrigerated until you are ready to bake it! 

Can I Cook Broccoli Casserole the Day Before and Then Just Warm It Up? 

Yes! Absolutely! Cook the day before (take it out of the oven about 10 minutes early). Then on the day of your dinner, heat in a 350 oven for 20 minutes uncovered. If it seems the top is getting too brown, cover with foil. 

Do I Need To Cover This With Foil While Cooking?

No, you Do NOT need to cover with foil while baking. Check on it near the end of baking and if it seems to be turning over brown, then you can cover with foil. 

What Kind Of Mayonnaise Do I Use for Broccoli Cheese Casserole? 

I used Dukes for this recipe, but Hellmans or Aldi brand will also work. Do NOT USE miracle whip, it will turn out too sweet. 

Tips and Tricks for Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

• If you are looking to make this a little less fat, feel free to use the low fat mayo. 
• Try using the low sodium canned soup as well. 
• If you are trying to avoid carbs, just leave off the cracker crumb top.
• Lots of people like to add some chopped mushrooms to their casserole, just cook them slightly first in a frying pan with a little oil.
• Cut the onion up very small for the best taste OR you could grate it.
• If you are making this recipe ahead, consider putting the cracker crumb top on just when you are ready to do the last bake and serve so that it will be crispy. 
• More info than you ever wanted about broccoli can be found RIGHT here. lol

Hey, Ya’ll Help Me Out A Little, OK? 

Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below and that helps others to find Loaves and Dishes!

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Rich, Savory, CHEESY and COVERED with A BUTTERY BACON CRACKER Crumbles! Who says no to that? NO ONE!

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli casserole, broccoli cheese casserole for two, cheesy broccoli casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 18 servings

Calories: 177kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped broccoli florets, thawed
• 4 slices bacon fried crispy and chopped small
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
• 1 10 3/4-ounce can condensed cream of celery soup
• ½ small purple onion chopped small
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 sleeve of buttered crackers like Ritz
• 2 tbs bacon grease

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non stick spray.
• Pour 2 10 oz packages of broccoli into a large bowl and allow to sit out on the counter while cooking the bacon.
• Cook bacon slices in a frying pan on the stove top over medium heat until crispy. Then allow to cool and crumble small.
• Add the bacon, mayo, sharp cheddar, cream of celery soup, onion, garlic powder and eggs to the bowl.
• Empty the sleeve of crackers into a large zip lock style bag and use a rolling pin or the side of a can to crush the crackers. Add the leftover bacon grease to the bag and smush around until all of the crackers are wet with grease.
• Sprinkle the cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole and place it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
• Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.

Notes

• If you are looking to make this a little less fat, feel free to use the low fat mayo. 
• Try using the low sodium canned soup as well. 
• If you are trying to avoid carbs, just leave off the cracker crumb top.
• Lots of people like to add some chopped mushrooms to their casserole, just cook them slightly first in a frying pan with a little oil.  
• Cut the onion up very small for the best taste OR you could grate it.  
• If you are making this recipe ahead, consider putting the cracker crumb top on just when you are ready to do the last bake and serve so that it will be crispy.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 177 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Cholesterol 35mg12%

Sodium 184mg8%

Potassium 245mg7%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 518IU10%

Vitamin C 60mg73%

Calcium 81mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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