Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe

Broccoli florets: Fresh broccoli cut into small, bite-sized pieces.

Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a rich, cheesy flavor to the casserole.

Cream of mushroom soup: Provides a creamy base with a hint of mushroom flavor.

Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and a slight tang to the mixture.

Chopped onion: Adds a bit of sweetness and texture.

Beaten eggs: Helps bind the ingredients together.

Crushed crackers: Creates a crunchy topping for the casserole.

Melted butter: Used to mix with the crackers for the topping.

When preparing the broccoli, make sure to cook it until it is just tender but still bright green. Overcooking can cause it to become mushy and lose its vibrant color. To achieve this, immediately plunge the broccoli into an ice bath after boiling to halt the cooking process. This technique, known as blanching, helps maintain the vegetable's texture and color, ensuring a more visually appealing and flavorful casserole.

• broccoli florets - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower has a similar texture and can be cooked in the same way as broccoli.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and provides a creamy texture, though it has a milder flavor.

• cream of mushroom soup - Substitute with cream of chicken soup: Cream of chicken soup offers a similar creamy consistency and savory flavor.

• mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a tangy flavor and creamy texture while being lower in fat.

• chopped onion - Substitute with chopped shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• beaten eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg; this works well as a binder.

• crushed crackers - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunchy texture and can be seasoned to taste.

• melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil offers a healthier fat option and adds a subtle flavor.

• Allow the broccoli cheese casserole to cool completely after baking. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy when stored.
• Transfer the casserole to an airtight container. If you prefer, you can also cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. Wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn.
• If you prefer, you can portion the casserole into individual servings before freezing. Place each portion in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.
• Reheat the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, typically about 20-30 minutes. If reheating from frozen, it may take a bit longer. Cover with foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
• For a quicker option, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
• To refresh the topping, you can add a bit more crushed crackers mixed with melted butter before reheating in the oven. This will help restore the crunchy texture.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover broccoli cheese casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. For a crispy topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Microwave Method: Transfer a portion of the casserole to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals if needed, until hot.

• Stovetop Method: Place the leftover casserole in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to help maintain its creamy texture. Cover and heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the broccoli cheese casserole in an air fryer-safe dish. Heat for about 10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook. This method will help retain the crispy topping.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in a toaster oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and heat for 15-20 minutes, removing the foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp up the topping.

• Oven: Used to bake the casserole at 350°F (175°C) until it is bubbly and golden.

• Pot: Used to cook the broccoli in boiling water for 5 minutes.

• Colander: Used to drain the cooked broccoli after boiling.

• Mixing bowl: Used to mix the soup, mayonnaise, cheese, eggs, and onion together.

• Whisk: Used to beat the eggs before adding them to the mixture.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the broccoli florets, shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and crushed crackers.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the melted butter.

• Chopping board: Used to chop the onion.

• Knife: Used to chop the onion.

• Baking dish: Used to pour the broccoli mixture into before baking.

• Spatula: Used to stir the broccoli into the mixture and to transfer the mixture into the baking dish.

• Mixing spoon: Used to mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter.

• Oven mitts: Used to safely handle the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Pre-cook the broccoli: Steam or microwave the broccoli florets instead of boiling to save time and retain nutrients.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded cheddar cheese to cut down on prep time.

Ready-made soup: Use canned cream of mushroom soup to avoid making a sauce from scratch.

Pre-chopped onions: Buy pre-chopped onions to eliminate chopping time.

Cracker crumbs: Use pre-crushed crackers or crush them in a food processor for speed.

One-bowl mixing: Mix all ingredients in one bowl to reduce cleanup time.