Description
This Velveeta Broccoli Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting side dish that combines tender broccoli florets with melted Velveeta and sharp cheddar cheese, all topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker topping. Itโs easy to make, great for family dinners or potlucks, and reheats beautifully for delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Vegetables
- 32 ounces frozen broccoli florets
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Cheeses
- 16 ounces Velveeta Cheese (half of a large block), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F to ensure even cooking and perfectly melted cheese in your casserole.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spray a 9ร13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, making it easy to remove and serve the casserole later.
- Boil the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the frozen broccoli florets, and boil for 3 minutes. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water, then transfer the broccoli to a large mixing bowl.
- Season the Broccoli: Sprinkle the broccoli with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Add and Melt Velveeta Cheese: Cut Velveeta cheese into 1-inch cubes. Add the cubes to the seasoned broccoli while itโs still warm, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated for a creamy consistency.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the cheesy broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the broccoli mixture for an extra cheesy layer.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Supplies: Use a 9ร13 glass baking dish for optimal results.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to retain the crispy topping.
- Kitchen Tip: Ensure your Velveeta is at room temperature for smoother melting and even incorporation into the broccoli mixture.
- Substitutions: Fresh broccoli can be usedโjust boil until fork-tender. If you donโt have Velveeta, substitute with 8 ounces of cream cheese or 1 cup sour cream and an extra cup of shredded cheese.
- Cheese Variations: Colby cheese or pepper jack can be used for different flavors and heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th of casserole
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg