Broccoli Casserole

If you’re looking for a quick side dish, consider making our Velveeta broccoli casserole. It’s perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish, to serve alongside a Christmas ham, or to make on a busy weeknight.

Our casserole is packed with fresh broccoli florets, plenty of creamy cheese sauce, and topped with a buttery Ritz cracker topping.

This is a dish the whole family will love! Even the pickiest of eaters will be asking for seconds.

Substitutions

• Use Frozen Broccoli: Frozen broccoli makes a great substitute for fresh florets. Be mindful that frozen broccoli is more delicate than fresh broccoli, so you’ll want to take extra when mixing the ingredients. You’ll need about 32 ounces or enough to spread across a 9×13-inch pan.
• Try Canned Soup: Instead of Velveeta try condensed cheddar soup and whole milk. The flavor will be slightly different, but the broccoli casserole will still taste amazing!
• Use Cheez Whiz: Different variations of this recipe appear in many vintage cookbooks, and a lot of those recipes use Cheez Whiz! Instead of Velveeta, use a 15 ounce jar of Cheez Whiz.

Variations

• Add Proteins: Mix in cooked chicken, turkey, or ham for a more filling dish.
• Experiment with Vegetables: Try adding sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or caramelized onions for extra flavor and texture. These vegetables complement the broccoli and cheese beautifully.
• Substitute Crackers: Although Ritz crackers are classic, you can experiment with other types of crackers or even seasoned breadcrumbs for a different topping texture and flavor.
• Cheese Varieties: While Velveeta provides creaminess, mixing in other cheeses like Gruyère or smoked gouda can add more layers of flavor. I like to use sharp cheddar to cut through the creaminess of the Velveeta.
• Make it Creamier: Incorporate a spoonful of sour cream or cream cheese into the cheese sauce for added richness and tang.
• Tex-Mex Twist: Add Tex-Mex flavor with diced green chilies, a teaspoon of taco seasoning in the cheese sauce, and top with crushed tortilla chips instead of Ritz crackers.
• Bacon Love: Mix cooked, crumbled bacon into the casserole or sprinkle on top for a savory, smoky flavor.

Velveeta Ritz Broccoli Casserole Tips

• Seasoning is Key: Don’t forget to season your dish. A little garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add a lot of flavor to this casserole. A sprinkle of paprika also tastes great!
• Pre-cook the Broccoli: Lightly blanch or steam the broccoli until it’s just crisp-tender. Overcooking will result in a mushy casserole. You want the broccoli to retain some bite for texture contrast.
• Hand Mix the Filling: I prefer to mix the broccoli cheese filling by hand. The cheese sauce cools quickly and begins to firm up which can make it difficult to stir. Put on a pair of food-safe, kitchen gloves and gently combine the ingredients. Make sure the sauce is cool enough to handle!
• Blot the Broccoli Dry: Use paper towels to blot the broccoli dry, so excess liquid doesn’t water down the casserole.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftover broccoli casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave. If using an oven, cover it with foil to prevent the topping from burning.

Freezer: Allow the casserole cool completely before freezing. Consider dividing the casserole into individual portions for easier thawing and reheating.

Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using the original baking dish, wrap it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Thawing: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating After Freezing: When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk or half and half to refresh the texture. Reheat in the oven or microwave until it reaches the desired temperature.

Remember, the quality of the casserole may change slightly after freezing and thawing, with potential changes in texture, especially in the Ritz cracker topping.

Frequently Asked Questions