Southern Broccoli Casserole
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Southern Broccoli Casserole is a savory blend of broccoli and cheese with a crunchy, buttery topping. This easy broccoli casserole recipe doesn't contain condensed soup, so it has all of the flavor but none of the ingredients you can't pronounce!
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The Secret to the Best Broccoli Casserole
Want to make the best Southern Broccoli Casserole you've ever tasted? If you're like me, you've been making the same classic casserole with condensed soup for years. Well, it's time to try something new!
I'm not a cream of soup hater, and sometimes I still use it for certain recipes. However, I've learned there are other options out there, so I've started substituting sour cream for canned soup. The result is a creamier base including ingredients that are not filled with additives.
This old fashioned broccoli casserole tastes better than ever! Using fresh ingredients that don't contain MSG makes all the difference.
There's just something about the creamy cheese filling and crunchy topping that makes broccoli cheese casserole a favorite for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It also goes great any time of year with dishes like Pork Tenderloin and Dutch Oven Turkey Breast!
If you're a true broccoli lover, try my easy recipe for Oven Roasted Broccoli, or this popular Creamy Broccoli Salad that's both sweet and savory.
Ingredient Notes
Easy ingredients make it a snap to mix this delicious casserole together in just minutes! See the printable recipe card for quantities.
- frozen broccoli florets - look for a steamable package
- sour cream - full fat works best
- mayonnaise - I use Duke's
- sharp cheddar cheese - can substitute a cheese blend if desired
- large eggs - beaten
- black pepper and garlic powder - the main seasoning
- butter - melted for topping
- herb seasoned stuffing - I use Pepperidge Farm stuffing
- french fried onions - just a little goes a long way once they're crushed
How to Make The Filling
There are basically two parts to this dish...the filling and the topping. Both are equally amazing, but the topping has a hint of spices which taste like Thanksgiving day!
1 - To start, steam frozen broccoli as directed on package for 5 minutes in the microwave. Set aside.
2 - In a separate bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, beaten eggs, pepper, garlic powder and cheddar cheese to make the filling.
3 - Add broccoli to the bowl and mix gently. Pour contents into a casserole dish.
How to Make The Topping
1 - To make the topping, melt butter in the microwave and combine with a mixture of dry herbed stuffing and crushed french fried onions.
2 - Sprinkle topping over filling and bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
Recipe FAQ
Sure! Our family likes dried stuffing crumbs mixed with french fried onions on this dish, but if you prefer cracker crumbs, they taste great too!
The eggs act as a binding agent, and when mixed with sour cream and mayonnaise it creates a custard that thickens when cooked.
Yes, you can freeze this cheese casserole recipe before or after baking. It's recommended to freeze it before for best results. Freeze without adding the crumbs in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Bake for 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven, then add cracker crumbs and bake until they are golden brown.
Top Tips
- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Cover the broccoli casserole with foil before baking to prevent topping from scorching.
- It's not necessary to add salt to the filling since the other ingredients contain enough sodium.
- Feel free to substitute cracker crumbs or another crunchy topping if desired.
- You can use frozen chopped broccoli instead of broccoli florets if you wish.
More Casseroles
The flavor of broccoli cheese casserole is hard to beat, but here are a few other dishes that you'll love!
- Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Vidalia Onion Casserole
- The Best Squash Casserole
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review for others to read!
Recipe Card
Southern Broccoli Casserole
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
FILLING
- 3 cups streamable frozen broccoli florets (can use fresh broccoli)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise - I use Duke's ad
- 12 ounce package sharp cheddar cheese blend shredded
- 2 eggs beaten
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
TOPPING
- ½ stick butter melted
- 2 cups herb seasoned stuffing crumbs ad
- ½ cup french fried onions crushed (ad)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Steam frozen broccoli as directed on package for 5 minutes and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, beaten eggs, pepper and garlic powder to make the filling.
- Add steamed broccoli to the filling and mix gently.
- Pour contents into a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish.
- To make the topping, melt butter in a dish in the microwave. Add herb seasoned stuffing crumbs and crushed french fried onions to butter. Mix well and sprinkle on top of filling.
- Cover casserole with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes until casserole is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Cover the casserole with foil before baking to prevent topping from scorching.
- It's not necessary to add salt to the filling since the other ingredients contain enough sodium.
- Feel free to substitute cracker crumbs or another crunchy topping if desired.
- Freeze casserole before baking without crumbs for best results. Keep in an airtight container in freezer for up to 3 months. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until cooked through. Add crumbs and bake until golden brown.
- View the Google Web Story for Broccoli Casserole!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Extremely yummy!!!!
Thank you Leah! I'm so glad you loved my recipe for broccoli casserole!
So I made this casserole but vegan for thanksgiving 2022 and it was the only thing on a table full of food to be completely gone when we were done. This is at a table of 7 people and 2 vegans! I got so many praises as it was the hit of the entire meal. Thanks for posting! Btw- it was super simple to take out the dairy and go dairy free!
That's awesome Amy! Did you use vegan mayo and vegan sour cream?
Yes. I used follow my heart mayo, Kroger brand plant based sour cream, violife cheddar shreds, just egg and earth balance butter.
That sounds very healthy!
I make this adding cooked chicken, cooked long cooking rice. I double the sauce recipe I only use one in the casserole then check it to make sure it isn't dry. Serve the extra sauce on the side. Left over I use in some thing. It's a keeper.
Thank you so much Ginny! I love your ideas and plan on adding chicken and rice the next time I make broccoli casserole to see how it tastes!
Debi...hi from an old Bluebird counselor! I have a recipe similar to this but for chicken instead of broccoli. What do you think about using both in your recipe? Would a couple of cups of rotisserie chicken be an appropriate amount? Your site is yummy!
Hi Shirley! Great to hear from you! 🙂 I think your idea is awesome. 2 cups of chicken would taste great mixed with this broccoli casserole!
I loved this creamy cheesy Broccoli Casserole. I mixed the ingredients using the sour cream in place of condensed soup. What a creamy difference that made as suggested by Debi. I put my on twist to the casserole; however, by changing the topping to crushed Ritz Crackers with melted butter. Yummy !!!!
That's awesome! I'm always looking for ways to make a recipe better. I'll try your cracker topping next time! 🙂
Best broccoli casserole in the world. Can’t have a holiday dinner without it!
Thanks Carol! It's been on the table a lot, hasn't it?
My family loved this broccoli casserole for thanksgiving. I also made your dressing recipe and it was a hit also. I love your blog and your writing. It reminds me of my family and growing up on the South. I grew up with so many of these dishes and grandmother’s kitchen stories. Thank you this blog love it! Vickie Redwine
Hi Vickie! Thank you so much for sharing that you made my broccoli casserole and Thanksgiving dressing. It makes me so happy to know that I've helped you in some small way. I'm so glad you love my blog....but most of all...that you took the time to tell me! 🙂
Debi, This IS the best broccoli casserole ever! Rich and delicious-the sour cream adds such a delicious flavor. Love your recipes!
You're the best, Jane! Thanks for commenting. I'm so glad you like the broccoli casserole! 🙂