Just four simple ingredients and a few minutes are all you need to make this delicious Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole. It’s perfect as a side dish for any holiday meal, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. With all the ingredients a creamy cream sauce, hearty broccoli, and a delightful butter cracker crust, it’s sure to be a family favorite dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Easy – Only four ingredients and a few minutes to make. Simply combine them in a casserole dish and place them in the oven to bake. Many Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Casserole< Recipes call for condensed soup. But not in this case!
• Kid-Friendly – This is a fantastic technique to persuade your children to eat their vegetables! Even finicky eaters will devour this one!
• Delicious – Tons of creamy cheese on top of a buttery cracker shell. This is comfort cuisine at its finest!
• Better Than Cheddars – Cheddars Broccoli Casserole Recipe is a well-known and classic side dish. However, we prefer our own version because it saves money when prepared at home. And we know that our version is produced using simple, wholesome, and home-cooked ingredients.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

• Frozen Broccoli – One bag of frozen broccoli florets or pieces, measuring 32 ounces, is used in this recipe. It is not necessary to cook them in advance; however, you will need to defrost them and drain any excess liquid before using them.
• Velveeta Cheese – There is no need that you to use Velveeta; you can use any other type of processed cheese instead. Simply cut the Velveeta into smaller squares once it has been cubed.
• Crackers – One individual packaging of Ritz crackers. Crushed. It doesn’t matter whatever brand of buttery crackers you buy.
• Butter – a quarter of a cup of butter. Melted. You’re going to make a tasty topping by combining these ingredients with your crackers.
• Salt And Pepper – To taste, salt and black pepper are recommended.

Ingredients Substitutions:

Most of the non-broccoli elements (i.e., everything else) serve to enhance the dish’s overall flavor and texture. There are, thankfully, several substitutes and options to consider instead. You may also experiment with different flavors by using new components.

Sour Cream:

As a result of its similarity in flavor and texture to cheese, it has become a popular alternative. It’s a great, straightforward option for usage as a one-for-one substitute.

Olive Oil:

While not nearly as successful as sour cream in replacing cheese due to its somewhat different taste, it does make a good vegan-friendly replacement. The ‘good’ fats make this a far healthier option.
In the end, there will be a little less creaminess, but it will still taste great.
Olive oil is another alternative to butter in cooking. However, it shouldn’t be used in place of both the cheese and the butter because doing so would alter the dish’s flavor too much.

Cauliflower/Brussels Sprouts:

This works as both replacement and addition. The recipe calls for a lot of broccoli, so if you either don’t have enough or just want to make the meal more interesting, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts are wonderful replacements.
They can be cooked in the same style and in the same quantities, aim to still get the 15-16 ounces of total green veggies, but feel free to split it up between the different greens as you see fit!

Can You Add Protein to Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

Yep! Adding chicken to this Cheddar’s Broccoli Cheese Casserole will transform it into a satisfying main dish! Putting together something like this with rotisserie chicken would be a breeze!

How To Make Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a 2-1/2 quart casserole dish.
2. Cube the Velveeta cheese.
3. Mix in the broccoli, Velveeta, and half of the cracker crumbs in the dish.
4. Mix in the remaining cracker crumbs and butter until the mixture resembles sand.
5. Sprinkle over broccoli-cheese mixture.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, or until bubbling around the edges and well cooked. Serve right away.

What To Serve With Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

In general, a casserole is intended to constitute a “full meal” on its own, hence it generally contains some mix of vegetables and meat, such as fish or chicken.
However, in this situation, the meal is primarily vegetable-based, with the cheese/dairy products providing the only protein.
As a result, a high protein/meat-based side dish works well here, rounding out and completing the meal package.

Check These serving Options:

• Baked Cod
• Baked Chicken Thighs
• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Baked Meatloaf
• Country-Style Ribs In Oven
• Baked Pork Chops
• Baked Stuffed Peppers
• Creamed Chipped Beef

How To Store Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

What’s convenient about this casserole is you can refrigerate it using the same dish you baked it in. Just be sure to cover it with foil beforehand.

• Store in the fridge: Before you put your Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole in the refrigerator, you should make sure that it has been cooled to room temperature first. After being placed in the refrigerator, it should last for 3 to 4 days.
• Store in the freezer: To be able to store it in the freezer, you will need to move the Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole to a container with a tight-fitting lid or a baggie designed specifically for freezing food. After being frozen, it may be stored for a total of 6 months.

How Do You Reheat Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

• In The Microwave: In order to keep the Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole leftovers from becoming too dry, start by pouring one or two teaspoons of water over it. If you put it in the microwave and heat it on high for two to three minutes, it will be sufficiently warmed through.
• In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 305°F and reheat your leftover Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole for 20-30 minutes (depending on how much you have to reheat). You may help it keep moisture by covering the dish with aluminum foil first.
• In An Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, place the Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole leftovers in the frying basket, and fry for 3-4 minutes, which is faster than oven baking. It’ll be nice and hot, with a little crunch.

Recipe Tips

• Cut Your Broccoli – There are those who like the smaller portions of broccoli florets, while others choose the larger pieces. You are welcome to use any size pieces of chopped broccoli you choose.
• Prepare Your Baking Dish – Be sure to coat your cooking dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter it to prevent sticking before you begin.

FAQ Section

What Is The Best Method For Crushing Crackers?

The original packaging of the crackers should be retained for use in crushing them, as this is the most effective method. Simply open the top of the sleeve with caution, and then gently crush the candies by pressing down straight on the counter. Maintain the hole in such a way that it is closed just enough to prevent a mess from occurring but open enough to allow air to escape.

Can I Use Fresh Broccoli?

You may absolutely use fresh broccoli in this Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole recipe. If you do this, the broccoli in the casserole could require a few more minutes of cooking time in order to get the desired level of tenderness.

Can I Add Rice To Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

Some variations of the Cheddar’s Broccoli Cheese Casserole incorporate more of a broccoli and rice casserole into its composition. To accomplish this, simply add cooked rice to the mixture, give everything a good stir, and bake it according to the instructions. You may also serve it simply on rice if you like. If you whip up a batch of minute rice in a flash, you can turn this dish into an effortless main course for a family supper.

What Other Vegetables Can I Put In Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole?

You can add Bell Peppers, Onions (you will need to saute onion first), Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Peas, and/or carrots.

How Do You Know When Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole Is Done?

The color of the cracker topping needs to be nutmeg and gold. Also, the cheese should start to bubble up at this point.

How To Reheat Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole In A Pot?

Put a few ounces of water in a saucepan (or if you still have some of the mushroom soup, a little bit of that works too). Put the Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole leftovers in the saucepan, turn the heat to medium, and then cover it with the lid. Heat should be maintained.
After around 8 to 10 minutes of sitting in the hot steam, it should be nice and toasty by the time you take it out.

Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 220
• Total Fat 14g
• Saturated Fat 8g
• Cholesterol 40mg
• Sodium 640mg
• Potassium 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate 16g
• Dietary Fiber 2g
• Sugars 2g
• Protein 9g

Nutrition Facts Source: Source