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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Published: Dec 26, 2022 Last Updated: Dec 26, 2022 by Marye 1492 words. | About 8 minutes to read this article.

Broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is a creamy combination of broccoli, cheese, and Ranch seasoning with a buttery cracker topping. It's a delicious side dish or add cooked chicken to make it an irresistible main dish!
Total time 35 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Overhead view of broccoli cheese casserole with a serving spoon on top.Text overlay for Pinterest.
A baking dish full of broccoli casserole with Ritz cracker crumb topping. A serving has been removed. Text overlay for Pinterest.

Comfort food should be cheesy, creamy, or both. This side dish casserole recipe gives you the gooey cheese, the creamy sauce, and then takes it a step further with the buttery crumbs on top.

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want to go to.

Overhead view of a broccoli casserole with a serving removed.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • An irresistible vegetable side dish that tastes like comfort food
  • Easy recipe steps—use fresh or frozen broccoli florets
  • A great addition to the dinner table both during the holiday season and on random, busy weeknights

Easy broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is a great way to get the whole family excited to eat some veggies—but the best part? Even the pickiest eaters can't resist broccoli when it's smothered in buttery, cheesy goodness, flavored with tangy Ranch, and sprinkled with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping—I promise, everyone will love it!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients for the broccoli cheese casserole.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images for mixing the cheese sauce for the casserole.
  1. In a large bowl, toss together the broccoli and pimentos.
  2. Melt the cream cheese and whisk in the milk and Ranch seasoning.
  3. Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese.
  4. Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli and stir to coat.
Steps for putting the topping on the casserole.
  1. Spoon the mixture into a greased baking dish.
  2. Stir together the Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter.
  3. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz crackers mixture over the cheesy broccoli casserole.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and enjoy.

🥫 Storage

If you thought this broccoli casserole recipe couldn't get any better, it's time to think again! There are plenty of ways to prep and store it.

Assemble Ahead of Time—Fridge Storage: Prep the broccoli cheese casserole recipe, stopping after step eleven (don't add the crackers.) Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. Before baking, don't forget to add the crushed Ritz crackers!

Assemble Ahead of Time—Freezer Storage: If you prefer to freeze the broccoli casserole, you can do so for up to three months! However, make sure to do so in a freezer-safe casserole dish, and leave off the crumb topping until you're ready to bake.

Leftover Casserole Storage: Leftovers should be covered with plastic wrap or portioned into an airtight container. Keep refrigerated and consume within four days.

Thawing & Reheating Instructions: If the unbaked casserole is frozen, let it thaw in the fridge before cooking. Otherwise, follow the recipe instructions as written to bake it!

Then, reheat your refrigerated leftovers in a microwave-safe dish until warm. As with most casserole recipes, you can also cover the dish and reheat leftovers in the oven, too!

Casserole with a serving removed.

📖 Variations

  • Southern broccoli casserole is also great with cauliflower, asparagus, or even green beans—like a classic green bean casserole!
  • Stir in leftover chicken or another cooked, lean meat (like turkey) to transform this perfect side dish into a complete meal.
  • Add some bacon bits, cubed ham, or crispy Proscuitto for a kick of savory flavor.
  • Sharp cheddar is the perfect complement to broccoli (hello, broccoli cheddar soup!) However, feel free to use whatever kind you like.
  • Add a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup to make the cheesy sauce even creamier. Or, amp up the cheese with a cheddar condensed soup.
  • For more healthy greens, you can stir in some wilted spinach—most people won't even notice it's there!
  • Use bacon grease instead of butter to give the cracker topping more delicious flavor.
  • Sometimes I'll add a little Italian seasoning to the buttery Ritz cracker topping or the creamy sauce, depending on the rest of the meal.
  • If somebody gobbled up the last sleeve of Ritz crackers just before you started cooking, you can use bread crumbs instead.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Unlike fresh broccoli florets, you don't need to cook frozen broccoli before putting it in the casserole. However, you will need to thaw it first. You can do this by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight or putting it in a colander and pouring hot water over it a few times.

  • If you use frozen and thawed broccoli, make sure to drain it very well and pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water.
  • When blanching the fresh broccoli, don't cook it all the way through, or it'll be mushy in the casserole. It'll continue to cook in the oven to tender perfection!
  • If you've assembled the broccoli casserole ahead of time, you'll likely need to add about 10 minutes to the total baking time so that it heats all the way through.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I use olive oil instead of butter for the topping?

You could, but butter will give the cracker crumbs a richer flavor. Olive oil will work in a pinch to get 'em crispy, though.

What is Ranch seasoning mix, and can I make my own?

Sure! Ranch seasoning mix is the dry powder that they sell in a small paper packet. It's usually a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dill, parsley, and some other herbs, as well as a bit of buttermilk powder.

How long does broccoli last?

Raw and cooked broccoli last for three to five days in the fridge. However, cooked broccoli will keep for about three months in the freezer.

What do I do if I have extra bags of broccoli florets?

You can make extra broccoli casserole and freeze it for another time (like Thanksgiving dinner!) Or, blanch the broccoli and freeze it in small bags. Then, you can slowly thaw and eat it over the next few months. Scroll down for more delicious broccoli recipes.

Overhead shot of a serving of broccoli cheese casserole on a white plate.
Broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is delicious enough for holidays but easy enough for weekdays!

📚 Related recipes

  • One of my favorite Ritz cracker recipes, Asparagus Casserole has bacon and lots of gooey cheese—a perfectly unique holiday side dish!
  • Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken is a creamy casserole dinner, perfect for busy weeknights when you're craving comfort!
  • Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is one of those side dish recipes that will make everyone beg for your secret! Here's the actual secret: it's super easy and quick to prep!
  • 50 Best Side Dish Recipes on the Internet is full of ideas and inspiration for side dishes you may not have tried before.
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🍽️ Serve with...

Add this broccoli cheese casserole as a side dish and watch it disappear!

  • Homemade Meatloaf
  • No-Knead Beer Bread
  • No-Bake Rolo Cookies

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

Woman carrying a casserole dish on a clickable image. Takes you to Amazon store.

📞 The last word

It's the perfect side dish anytime but it's a family favorite during the holiday season.

Looking for another side dish? This summer squash casserole is one of our favorites!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Closeup of the broccoli cheese casserole showing the texture of the topping.
4.58 from 14 votes

Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers

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Broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers is a creamy combination of broccoli, cheese, and Ranch seasoning with a buttery cracker topping. It's a delicious side dish or add cooked chicken to make it an irresistible main dish!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings:6
Calories:390
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Casserole Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 pound broccoli
  • 4 ounces pimentos
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 ounce ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 15 Ritz crackers, about 1 sleeve, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
  • Cook the broccoli in salted water until tender but not mushy.
  • Drain.
  • Place cream cheese and milk in a microwave safe glass bowl.
  • Microwave on high about 30 seconds, or just until the cream cheese is softened.
  • Add the packet of Ranch dressing and whisk until smooth.
  • Stir in the Cheddar cheese.
  • Mix the cooked, drained broccoli with the pimentos in a large bowl.
  • Pour the cheese mixture over the broccoli and mix gently.
  • Spoon into the prepared casserole dish.
  • Pour the melted butter into the cracker crumbs and mix.
  • Sprinkle over the broccoli mixture.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Expert Tip: This is also good when made with asparagus, green beans, or cauliflower.
  • Use bacon grease instead of butter to stir into the cracker crumbs. YUM!
  • Sharp Cheddar is delicious in this recipe but use whatever you like.
  • If you are using frozen broccoli you won't need to cook it but you will need to thaw it first. You can do this by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight or putting it in a colander and pouring hot water over it a few times.
  • If you use frozen broccoli make sure to drain it very well and pat it dry so it doesn't make your casserole watery.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 829mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1949IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 2mg

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    First Published April 5, 2021. Last updated December 26, 2022 for editorial improvements.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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    1. Doris Giddens

      April 09, 2021 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      I'm proud of the recipes and going to try them

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