This Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers is a creamy and comforting favorite made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Instead of the traditional cream of mushroom soup, this recipe uses a sour cream and cream of chicken base for a rich, flavorful filling. It's easy enough for a busy Tuesday, but special enough to include on your Thanksgiving table.
Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Dish
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 40 minutes total
- 🍴 Servings: 8 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Creamy, cheesy, savory with a buttery, crunchy topping
- 🍚 Best Served With: Roasted meats, holiday dinners, or as a comforting side
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, assemble ahead and bake when ready to serve
Summarize and Save This Content On
I first served this broccoli Ritz casserole at a potluck, and I could tell people were a little skeptical, but now it's one of the most requested dishes I bring. The best part is that the broccoli stays perfectly tender instead of turning mushy. That richer base with cream of chicken soup is truly a game-changer and what makes this version stand out.
If you're looking for more casserole side dishes, I recommend my simple mashed potato casserole and classic green bean casserole.
Jump to:
- Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers Recipe Essentials
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers Recipe FAQs
- More Easy Casserole Recipes
- Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You can make it ahead to save some time: One of the best things about casseroles like this one is the ability to prepare it in advance. You can assemble it, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Steamed broccoli prevents a mushy result: I precook the broccoli by gently steaming it, so after the broccoli Ritz cracker casserole bakes, it's perfectly tender but not mushy.
- The broiling step gives it the best color: Don't skip this final step! It helps to get that deep golden brown color on top and the perfect crunch that you won't achieve from baking alone.
Ingredients
These are easy pantry staples you likely already have in your kitchen, minus the broccoli.
- Broccoli: I use 2 whole heads of broccoli for this recipe, which ends up around 8-10 cups. Ensure that the broccoli you choose is bright green and firm. Fresh will give you the best texture in this broccoli casserole.
- Cream of chicken soup: Not only does this contribute to the richness and creaminess, but it also adds a ton of flavor to the recipe. Most casseroles like this call for cream of mushroom soup, but I use cream of chicken for its savory flavor.
- Sour cream and mayo: I like a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise. The sour cream adds tanginess while the mayo adds richness to keep it balanced.
- Cheese: You can use any kind you like! My top favorites are Colby Jack and cheddar. If you can shred the cheese yourself, I highly recommend it because it melts better.
- Ritz crackers: I love the crunch of the rich and buttery crackers on top of the casserole, even more than traditional breadcrumbs. I use them on this scalloped corn casserole, too.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add bacon, chicken or ham: Stir in 1 cup of crumbled bacon or diced ham to boost the protein in this broccoli Ritz cracker casserole. You can also try our chicken broccoli casserole for a change.
- Use Club crackers: You can use Club crackers as a substitute for the Ritz for a slightly different result (they are thicker and a little more buttery).
- Try another cheese: Get creative and use shredded gruyere or even pepper jack for a twist.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your 1 ½-quart casserole dish with cooking spray before you get started.
Step 1: Steam the broccoli. Start by adding the broccoli florets to a skillet with 1 cup of water over medium heat. Then, cover and cook it for about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Make the filling. Combine all the ingredients for the casserole filling and then fold in the shredded cheese.
Step 3: Spread it in the pan. Add the filling to the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly.
Step 4: Add the topping and bake. Combine the crushed crackers with melted butter and parsley. Then sprinkle it on top, bake for 25-30 minutes, and broil for 2-3 minutes. Serve it with crockpot steak bites for an easy dinner.
Expert Tips
- Drain broccoli thoroughly: After steaming the broccoli, drain as much excess moisture as possible. The extra liquid will make your broccoli cheese Ritz cracker casserole watery.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole a few minutes to rest before serving it. This will help it hold its structure when you scoop it out of the pan.
- How to make it ahead: Assemble the filling for the casserole, but skip the topping. Cover the pan with foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then, prepare a fresh cracker topping and sprinkle it on top right before it goes into the oven. Extend the cooking time by 10-15 minutes since the dish will be cold.
- Freeze it baked or unbaked: Assemble it unbaked without the cracker topping or baked with it. Either version should be tightly covered and frozen for up to 2 months.
- Refrigerator storage: Place leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This crockpot chicken broccoli rice is another easy casserole recipe made with broccoli.
Serving Suggestions
- Prepare a protein: Bulk up the meal with a protein like slices of this prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin.
- Serve with bread: Enjoy some simple buttered bread or this air fryer garlic bread on the side.
- Try a refreshing side: Serve this broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers as the main course, then add a Caesar salad or a classic pasta salad.
Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers Recipe FAQs
The doneness cues to look out for include a golden brown crust, filling bubbling around the edges, and fork-tender broccoli. These ensure that the casserole is nice and hot, and that the broccoli isn't undercooked.
Overcooked broccoli can become mushy very quickly. When you precook the broccoli, cook it only until it's just barely tender, because it will continue to cook in the oven. If the broccoli goes into the casserole soft, it will only get softer.
Don't add the topping too early, especially if you make the casserole in advance. Prepare it and sprinkle it on top just before you bake it, and broil it for the last 2-3 minutes. This ensures the crust is golden and crispy.
Yes! However, it must be thawed and drained before you add it to your broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers. Frozen broccoli has a lot of excess moisture, and this will negatively affect the consistency of the filling.
Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli cut into florets (8-10 cups)
- 1 ¼ cup sour cream
- 1-10 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups marble or cheddar cheese shredded
Topping
- 4 ounces crushed Ritz crackers
- ½ stick unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 1 ½ quart casserole dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Place broccoli in a large pan, covered, with 1 cup of water, and steam on medium heat for about 5 minutes (you do not want it to cook too much).
- While that is cooking, in a large mixing bowl add sour cream, chicken soup, mayonnaise, and seasoning and mix well. Add broccoli when done, then cheese and mix again.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish and make your topping by mixing Ritz, melted butter and parsley.
- Sprinkle overtop and cover with foil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling on the sides. If desired, uncover and broil to brown the top lightly.
Notes
- After steaming the broccoli, drain it thoroughly to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Too much liquid can make your broccoli cheese Ritz cracker casserole watery.
- Broccoli can turn mushy very quickly if it's overcooked. When you precook it, cook just until barely tender since it will continue cooking in the oven. If it goes into the casserole already soft, it will only get softer.
- Wait to add the topping until just before baking, especially if you're making the casserole ahead of time. Sprinkle it on right before it goes in the oven, then broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a perfectly golden, crispy crust.
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