Discover the Best Cheddar Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe Ever

Whether it’s Thanksgiving or just an ordinary family gathering, Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole is filling, hearty, easy to prepare, and just heavenly. Bubbly, melted cheese, with a buttery, and crumbly layer on top, are all brought together with a delicious leafy green. Our copycat Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole recipe is beginner-friendly.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage and reheating
• Tips
• Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Broccoli — 1 bag, frozen, thawed, and drained.
• Velveeta cheese — 1 brick.
• Buttery crackers — 30 pcs.
• Butter — ¼ cup, melted.

Instructions

1. Lightly grease the casserole dish.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

3. Cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes, and then crush the buttery crackers.

4. Gently place the broccoli into the casserole dish.

5. Top the broccoli with Velveeta cheese and half of the buttery crackers.

6. Mix well.

7. Combine the other half of the buttery crackers with butter.

8. Mix until you reach the desired consistency.

9. Sprinkle the crumb-butter mixture into the casserole dish.

10. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes.

Substitutions

• Frozen broccoli — Though it goes without saying, broccoli is the main ingredient in our copycat Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole recipe. If you do not have it, you could use cauliflower. The two have some similarities such as their texture and shape, nutritional value, and many more. Though you’ll likely find broccoli sharper and cauliflower milder when it comes to taste.
  
  Brussel sprouts would work well too, though they’d require a bit more labor, as you’ll need to trim and shave the sprouts. Asparagus and baby spinach are other alternatives.

• Velveeta cheese — This byproduct cheese is perhaps best known for this Cheddars recipe. However, it’s a byproduct of cheese, which means it’s chemically produced.
  
  Swiss cheese could be a good alternative, if you do not want the Velveeta. It melts easily, is delicious, and is bubbly. It is also fairly mild, with no strong smell or taste, so it won’t overpower your dish. The same could be said for cheddar cheese, or even American cheese.

Variations

• Meaty — Our copycat Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole recipe is a hearty, filling, and nutritious one. But admittedly, it could definitely use some protein. How about skinless and boneless chicken breast, sliced into pieces, and added on top of the broccoli, just below the buttery, crumbly layer? You can also go for turkey, or even, more boldly, bacon.

• Veggie — This recipe uses broccoli, perhaps the most famous leafy vegetable. If you feel the lack of vegetables, why not add snow peas, chopped carrots, corn, green beans, onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers?

• Creamy — There are various versions of this famous dish, and some of those recipes include cream of mushroom soup. Pour the soup into the baking dish, and you’re good to go.

Equipment

• 9 x 13 baking dish.

• Mixing bowl.

• Oven.

• Measuring cup.

Storage and reheating

• Transfer the leftovers into an airtight container or a zip-lock bag.

• Store in your refrigerator, where it will last for between 4-5 days.

• You can reheat using either an oven or a microwave.

Tips

• When to stop — If you’re unsure about when to stop, keep in mind that if the edges are bubbly and the crackers turn golden brown, your dish is ready.

• The broccoli — Though it’s up to you, we recommend cutting the broccoli into smaller pieces.

• Greasing — For added flavor, you can use butter to grease the baking dish, instead of baking spray.