Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
This cheesy broccoli casserole, full of Italian spices, cheese, and garlic, will be a dinner winner any night of the week - even your picky little eaters will be asking for seconds.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds broccoli florets
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature, cut in cubes
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease a 2.5 quart to 3 quart baking dish with butter and set aside.
- Cook the broccoli. In a large skillet, bring 1/2 inch of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli; cover and cook over high heat until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and transfer the broccoli to the baking dish; set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the cream cheese with the heavy cream first. Whisk until smooth, then add the sour cream and stir in the cheddar and parmesan cheese until melted. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine and bake. Add the cheese mixture to the broccoli and stir until thoroughly combined. Bake in the oven for 17 to 20 minutes, or until bubbly, set, and lightly browned on top.
- Finish and serve. Remove the broccoli cheese from the oven and let it stand 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with crushed red pepper flakes and serve.
Video
Notes
- Prep the broccoli: It's important to cook the fresh broccoli before adding it to the casserole to ensure it's adequately softened. You can steam or blanch it in boiling water for a few minutes, as per the instructions in this recipe.
- Cheese choices: Cheddar cheese is a popular choice because of its strong flavor, but feel free to experiment with different types like Gouda, mozzarella, or even a blend of several kinds of cheese.
- Add crunch: For an added texture, sprinkle some bread crumbs or fried onions on top before baking.
- Extra flavor: While Italian seasoning and garlic are a great start, you can also add other flavors like Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, or a splash of hot sauce for some heat.
- Add turkey. Shredded cooked turkey is a great way to add protein to the casserole.
- Use chicken. Leftover rotisserie chicken blends well with the cheesy casserole.
- Add more veggies. Adding your favorite veggies like cauliflower or yellow corn into the mix will add more nutrition, flavor, and texture to the casserole.
- To Make Ahead. Cook the broccoli in boiling water for 4 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a baking dish and add the cheese mixture. Wait for it to cool down to room temperature, then cover it with foil and set it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready, remove the cover, stir everything together, and bake until the mixture is hot and bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1699IU | Vitamin C: 102mg | Calcium: 286mg | Iron: 1mg
