Broccoli And Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
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- 2 pounds broccoli – cut into bite-size florets (~3.5 medium broccolis)
- 5 ounces buttery round crackers – crushed into coarse crumbs (~61.5 n/a buttery round crackers)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter – melted (for topping)
- 1 onion – finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 12 ounces cheddar cheese – shredded
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper – freshly ground
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add the broccoli to the boiling water and blanch until bright green and crisp-tender, 2–3 minutes. Drain well, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, and pat very dry; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the buttery round crackers with the melted unsalted butter until evenly moistened; set the crumb topping aside.
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent and tender, 4–5 minutes; add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
5. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, until foamy and no longer raw-smelling, about 1 minute.
6. Gradually whisk in the whole milk and bring to a gentle simmer, whisking often, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5–7 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and the cheddar cheese until smooth and fully melted.
7. Add the drained florets to a large mixing bowl, pour the cheese sauce over, and fold to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch (3-quart) baking dish and spread in an even layer.
8. Sprinkle the cracker crumb topping evenly over the surface.
9. Bake until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the topping is golden, 20–25 minutes; for extra color, broil 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
10. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so the sauce sets slightly.
Broccoli and cheese casserole is a cozy, crowd-pleasing bake built on tender green florets bound in a creamy cheddar sauce and finished with a crunchy, buttery topping. The balance of crisp-tender vegetables, lush cheese, and toasted crumbs gives satisfying contrasts in texture. Its mild, savory flavors make it a natural fit for family dinners, holiday spreads, and potlucks where it sits comfortably alongside roasted meats or other casseroles.
The dish grew popular in mid-20th-century American home cooking, a period that embraced casseroles for their convenience, shareability, and comforting character. Early versions frequently leaned on condensed soups and cracker toppings, showing up at church suppers and community cookbooks across the United States. Over time, many cooks shifted to from-scratch cheese sauces while keeping the signature broccoli-cheddar pairing and buttery crumb crown that define the casserole’s identity today.