Broccoli casserole is our family's MOST FAVORITE Thanksgiving side every year! Packed with cheesy broccoli goodness and an irresistible crunchy cracker topping. This casserole will quickly become one of your favorites as well!
Y'all. I don't even think you know the level of hype I have for broccoli casserole!
It is hands down my family's MOST FAVORITE Thanksgiving side year after year. So much so it is always the first side to be devoured and we always make a second so we all can have second helpings and leftovers the next day.
I don't know what it is about it, but it definitely wouldn't be Thanksgiving without broccoli casserole with ritz crackers front and center! It's delightfully cheesy and the crunchy cracker topping is my fav!
PRO SECRET - make extra cracker stopping for more crunch if you're like me and love the cracker part of the casserole!
Another plus - this recipe couldn't be easier! Just a couple of ingredients is all you need for a crowd favorite Thanksgiving side!
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Ingredients Needed
- 2 - 12 Ounce Packages Frozen Broccoli Florets
- 1 Stick Butter - divided
- ½ Pound Velvetta
- Juice ½ lemon
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers
How to Make
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Cook broccoli according to package directions and drain. Pace back on the stove in a large pot on low heat. Add in ½ stick butter and Velveeta and let melt.
- Add in lemon juice and spices. Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed and stir until the cheese is fully melted.
- Melt the other ½ stick of butter. Crush the crackers and pour over melted butter. Mix to combine.
- Pour in the broccoli cheese mixture in the dish and top with the cracker evenly. Bake for 30 minutes.
- When finished, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How to Make Ahead of Time for Thanksgiving Day Prep
Prepping as much as you can ahead of time is the name of the game when it comes to Thanksgiving! I want to actually cook as least as possible on actual Thanksgiving day as I can. So many things can be made ahead of time, and broccoli casserole is no exception.
How to Make a Day Ahead
- Make broccoli cheese filling and place in greased casseole dish.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days ahead of needed.
- While the oven is preheating, remove from the fridge and place the cracker topping on. Bake as directed.
How to Freeze
- Make the recipe all the way up to baking - with cracker toppping included.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap 3 times and then with foil on the outside to ensure that it is wraped air tight. Write on the foil "Broccoli Casseole" and place in the freezer for up to a month prior to needing.
- Bake from frozen - remove foil and plastic wrap and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 60 minutes (or until hot and bubbly through the center and the top is golden brown). Check at the 30 minute mark. If the topping is getting too brown, place a piece a foil over top to finsihed baking.
- Bake from thawed - move the frozen broccoli casserole in the fridge 24 hours before wanting to bake to thaw. Bake as directed (350 for 30 minutes).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes!
We always have used frozen broccoli but that doesn't mean you can't use fresh as you would like.
Use the same amount - which will be about 2 large heads of broccoli. Dice into tiny florets and discard the stalk and stems.
Steam broccoli for 2 minutes until bright green and tender, and then proceed with the rest of the recipe like normal.
Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
More Thanksgiving Side Recipes
- Southern Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
- Classic Southern Deviled Eggs
- Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Southern Style Cream Corn
- Sous Vide Maple Carrots
- Creamy Southern Mashed Potatoes
- Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Brown Butter Sweet Potato Casserole
- Homemade Yeast Dinner Rolls
- Southern Cornbread & Biscuit Dressing
Easy Broccoli Casserole
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Broccoli casserole is our family's MOST FAVORITE Thanksgiving side every year! Packed with cheesy broccoli goodness and an irresistible crunchy cracker topping. This casserole will quickly become one of your favorites as well!
Ingredients
- 2 - 12 Ounce Packages Frozen Broccoli Florets
- 1 Stick Butter - divided
- ½ Pound Velveeta
- Juice ½ lemon
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Cook broccoli according to package directions and drain. Place back on the stove in a large pot on low heat. Add in ½ stick butter and Velveeta and let melt.
- Add in lemon juice and spices. Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed and stir until the cheese is fully melted.
- Melt the other ½ stick of butter. Crush the crackers and pour over melted butter. Mix to combine.
- Pour in the broccoli cheese mixture in the dish and top with the cracker evenly. Bake for 30 minutes.
- When finished, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
How to Make a Day Ahead
- Make broccoli cheese filling and place in greased casserole dish.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days ahead of time.
- While the oven is preheating, remove it from the fridge and place the cracker topping on. Bake as directed.
How to Freeze Ahead
- Make the recipe all the way up to baking - with cracker topping included.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap 3 times and then with foil on the outside to ensure that it is wrapped airtight. Write on the foil "Broccoli Casserole" and place in the freezer for up to a month prior to need.
- Bake from frozen - remove foil and plastic wrap and place in a preheated 350-degree oven for 60 minutes (or until hot and bubbly through the center and the top is golden brown). Check at the 30 minutes mark. If the topping is getting too brown, place a piece of foil over top to finished baking.
- Bake from thawed - move the frozen broccoli casserole in the fridge 24 hours before wanting to bake to thaw. Bake as directed (350 for 30 minutes).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 3.9 g
- Sodium: 511.1 mg
- Fat: 19.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.4 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 7.3 g
- Cholesterol: 52.8 mg
Keywords: Easy Broccoli Casserole
Jenny says
My kids would love this!
★★★★★
Heather says
Oh yay! I think they would too - it is SO SO GOOD! Seriously the first side to go every year at Thanksgiving. It is all of our favorites!