This Southern style broccoli casserole shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturallyCheesy #CollectiveBias
This Southern Style Broccoli Casserole is made with just four ingredients: broccoli, cheese, crackers, and a touch of mayo. You’ll love how easy it is!
Southern Style Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole has been one of my comfort food favorites since I was a kid (similar to its cousin, squash casserole). I’m teaming up with Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese to bring you this family classic just in time for the holidays. Broccoli casserole is almost always featured on our table when we get together for a fall or winter holiday, and it’s so popular that there are rarely any leftovers.
With just four ingredients, this broccoli casserole recipe is effortlessly simple. Anyone can make this! You literally cannot go wrong. Want more cheese? Throw it in. Like that crackery texture? Pile it on. It will still be delicious.
I picked up a 16 ounce bag of Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese at my local Walmart in the cheese case in the dairy area of the grocery department. For this recipe, I selected Cheddar cheese. That’s the traditional cheese for Southern style broccoli casserole.
Want more tasty Southern food? Try these other winning recipes.
And, although not strictly Southern, my crustless pumpkin pie is sure to please.
Tips for Making Broccoli Casserole
- Personally, I insist on fresh broccoli, but if you must go with frozen, make sure you get broccoli “florets,” not “stems and pieces.” Trust me.
- Different crackers produce different flavors. Choose a wheat cracker with 1 gram of sugar or less per serving, if possible; sweetness is not something we’re going for with this dish.
- You can vary the cooking time to suit your needs. If you just want to serve it sooner than later, just bake it until the cheese melts- which only takes a few minutes. If you want to brown the top more, go right ahead and bake it longer.
- Pick up a bake and take casserole dish so you can bring this along to a potluck gathering. This is the coolest thing ever!
Southern Style Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 stalks broccoli typically two packaged bunches
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 cups crushed wheat crackers divided
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Cut the broccoli florets off the stalks. If any of the florets are much larger than the others, cut them so they're all pretty much the same size. Place the florets in a pot and add enough water to cover the bottom. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and continue boiling for about 8 to 10 minutes. If the pot starts to dry, add a little water. Cook the florets just past crisp tender.
- Drain the pot into a colander. Let the pot dry for a minute, then return the broccoli to the pot. Add 3 cups of cheese and the mayonnaise. Stir vigorously. Add 1 1/2 cups of crumbs and stir vigorously again.
- Scoop the casserole into a casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and remaining cracker crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes, and serve.
Bookmark my easy method for steaming broccoli without a steamer.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
You had me at “cheesy!” I looooooove this recipe, and especially how easy it seems to make! I’ve never tried adding crackers to a casserole, so this will be great! Thanks!
Katie
Never added crackers? You are missing a whole world of deliciousness. 😉 Give this one or my squash casserole a try, you won’t be sorry!
kaitie
this is a great dish to bring to a potluck or have a side dish one night! And IF there are any left overs, great for a lunch the next day!
Katie
Absolutely! In fact, it’s even BETTER as a leftover! Gives it time to really set up.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
Great tip about the crackers! I’ve never really thought to look at the sugar content before using them on a casserole like this. But it does change the flavor a lot.
Katie
Exactly. After my favorite brand of wheat crackers went out of business, I had to figure out what made them work well in the first place so I could find a replacement- and I found that the lack of sugar was the most important quality!
Chi dela resma
This idea will definitely be part of my next recipe. I love Broccoli so much, and thinking of using Bega Cheese instead of Kraft. Hop by my Asian recipe site too, sweetie! Let me know what recipes you want to try as well.
Katie
I certainly will! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
cakespy
This post reminded me how much I used to freaking love the rice-a-roni cheese and broccoli mix. Mainly because the visual at the top vaguely reminded me of that dish. But in reading the description and ingredients I’m totally intrigued by this southern style comfort food! Looks delectable.
Katie
Good old Rice-a-Roni! I had many a childhood meal from that box. 🙂 This is a 100% classic Southern family recipe—my mom’s—so it’s one of my favorites of all the recipes on my blog. This one and its sister side dish, squash casserole!
Jacqui @FlightsFancyMom
I love broccoli and cheese. This would be a perfect cold night recipe. Will have to add it to my recipe box. Thanks for sharing!
Patrice
I just found this recipe,which sounds so easy and tasty. I wondered what size casserole dish you used. Also, since broccoli bunch size can be variable, is there an approximate cup measurement for the broccoli florets? Thank you.