Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe (With Video)

Prep Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Servings:

6 to 8

This broccoli cheese casserole is a winning dish. Serve it as a side for a weeknight dinner, or add it to your Thanksgiving table. It's easy to make and sure to please; broccoli and cheese make a stellar pairing, and casseroles are everyone's favorite cozy comfort food.

In addition to broccoli and Gouda cheese, sour cream adds to the rich and creamy feel of this casserole. Cremini mushrooms bring savory flavor and a dash of Worcestershire sauce ups the umami so the dish has depth of flavor. A topping of crushed saltine crackers tossed in melted butter makes for a delicious crunchy contrast.

Broccoli Casserole — Credit:
Martyna Szczesna

Directions

Preheat oven; cook broccoli:

Preheat oven to 400°F. In two batches, cook broccoli in a large pot of salted boiling water until slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
Cook onions and mushrooms:

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add onion and mushrooms; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and starting to brown, about 7 minutes.
Add flour and milk and cook to thicken:

Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in milk in a slow, steady stream. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 9 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add other ingredients and stir in cooked broccoli:

Stir in mustard, Worcestershire, cayenne, sour cream, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cooled broccoli.
Transfer to baking dish; top with crackers and butter and bake:

Transfer to a 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Combine crackers and remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over top of casserole. Bake until bubbling and top is browned, about 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use fresh or frozen broccoli for broccoli cheese casserole?

It is better to use fresh broccoli for this casserole. Frozen broccoli contains a lot of liquid which means it can be mushy and cause the casserole to be soggy. If you do use frozen broccoli for the casserole, be sure to thaw it first and drain off any liquid.
Is broccoli cheese casserole a main dish or a side?

Broccoli cheese casserole is a versatile dish. It can be a main dish for a smaller crowd or a side dish for more people. We enjoy it both as a cozy weeknight dinner entrée and as a side dish for Thanksgiving.
What mushrooms can you use for broccoli casserole?

For broccoli casserole, you can use cremini mushrooms as the recipe calls for, or you can use the same amount of sliced white mushrooms as any easy swap. If you had portobello mushrooms, you can thinly slice and then chop them so the pieces are similarly sized to sliced smaller mushrooms. Shiitakes can also be used if you have them on hand and want to use them up.