Description
This Cheese Broccoli Casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring fresh steamed broccoli combined with a smooth cottage cheese sauce, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and a crunchy cracker topping. Baked to golden perfection, this wholesome casserole is a modern twist on a classic favorite, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- 32 ounces fresh broccoli florets, steamed
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cracker Topping
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2+ cups crushed crackers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Steam Broccoli: Lightly steam the broccoli florets until they are fork tender, about 4-6 minutes, being careful not to overcook to prevent mushiness. Set aside once done.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, garlic salt, and black pepper. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend until smooth and creamy. This step ensures a silky sauce consistency.
- Add Cheeses and Broccoli: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, then fold in the steamed broccoli until everything is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and transfer the broccoli mixture into it, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Topping: Mix the melted butter with the crushed crackers and sprinkle this mixture over the cheese layer on top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the cracker topping turns golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Do not skip blending the cottage cheese mixture, as it is key to achieving a creamy sauce.
- Steam broccoli just until fork tender to retain texture and avoid mushiness in the casserole.
- The cracker topping adds delightful crunch; use any buttery crackers of your choice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a lighter version, consider using reduced-fat cheeses and mayonnaise.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
