Broccoli & Cheese Casserole Recipe
Are you seeking for a tasty and simple side dish that the whole family will enjoy?
Go no farther than this recipe for Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole! This casserole is full of flavor and nutrition, and it's a terrific way to sneak some veggies into your kids' meals while simultaneously fulfilling their yearning for cheesy pleasure.
Someone please say cheese!
The dish begins with a large head of broccoli chopped into florets and boiled in salted boiling water until tender-crisp. While the boiling of the broccoli, a creamy cheese sauce is made on the stovetop using butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. The cooked broccoli is then combined with the cheese sauce before being placed onto a baking dish.
Finish with the Topping
Crushed Ritz crackers are placed on top of the dish before baking to give crunch and texture. The dish is then cooked until the crackers are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling in a preheated oven.
Switch things up!
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. If your children dislike broccoli, you may easily replace another vegetable such as cauliflower or carrots. You may also change the amount of cheese or seasoning to suit your family's tastes.
Use pre-shredded cheese and frozen broccoli florets to make this meal even easier. This may save prep time and turn this into a quick and simple weekday side meal.
The Yummy Cheesy Casserole
Overall, this Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a tasty and simple way to include more vegetables into your family's meals. Whether served as a side dish with supper or as a solo meal, it's likely to please both youngsters and adults. Try it out and see for yourself!
How This Dish Was Created:
The origins of Broccoli and Cheese Casserole may be traced back to the early 1900s, when casseroles first appeared in the United States. Casseroles were invented to use up leftover ingredients and lengthen meals to feed more people.
Broccoli casseroles were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, when frozen veggies became readily available and convenience meals became popular. Casseroles became a mainstay of American cuisine as more families sought quick and easy dinner alternatives.
The 1970s Were the Greatest...
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole rose to prominence in the 1970s, when cheese became more widely accessible and inexpensive. The broccoli and cheese combination was a hit with both youngsters and adults, and the casserole quickly became a favorite side dish at family dinners and potlucks.
Several variants of Broccoli and Cheese Casserole have arisen over the years, with different types of cheese, breadcrumbs, and spice combined to produce distinct taste profiles. The core recipe, however, has stayed fairly unchanged, with broccoli and cheese serving as the key components.
Even today, it is still quite popular!
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is still a favourite side dish in many families today, and it is frequently served alongside chicken or beef as a substantial and savory companion. This traditional recipe is guaranteed to satisfy, whether you're wanting to add some vegetables to your diet or simply needing some cheesy bliss.
What To Serve With This Casserole
Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a flexible and tasty side dish that can be served alongside a number of main entrees to make a filling dinner.
Some meals that would go well with this casserole include:
Roasted Chicken: Roasted chicken is a classic main meal that goes beautifully with the casserole's cheesy and creamy characteristics. Serve the chicken with roasted vegetables such as carrots or potatoes for a complete supper.
Grilled Steak: The richness of grilled steak enhances the casserole's creamy and cheesy tastes. For a full supper, serve the steak with a side salad or roasted asparagus.
Baked Ham: Baked ham is a delicious and delectable main meal that complements the casserole's creamy and nutty characteristics. For a filling supper, pair the ham with steamed green beans or roasted sweet potatoes.
Pan-Seared Salmon: The light and fresh tastes of pan-seared fish complement the rich and creamy dish nicely. For a nutritious and filling lunch, serve the salmon with a side salad or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Meatloaf: A cozy and classic main meal that goes nicely with the casserole's cheesy and savory characteristics. For a hearty and fulfilling supper, serve the meatloaf with mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables.
Pasta with Marinara Sauce: Serve the casserole alongside a simple pasta meal, such as spaghetti with marinara sauce, for a vegetarian option. The tomato-based sauce complements the creamy and cheesy dish.
Grilled Vegetables: Serve the casserole with grilled veggies such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers for a lighter supper. The grilled veggies' smoky and charred tones complement the casserole's creamy and nutty aromas.
Overall, Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a flexible and tasty side dish that can be served alongside a number of main meals to make a filling dinner. Try with various combinations to find your ideal fit!
If you want to take your Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole to the next level, use these ideas and tricks:
Fresh Broccoli: While frozen broccoli is easy, using fresh broccoli results in a more flavorful and colorful dish. Broccoli with vivid green florets and sturdy stems is best.
Season to taste: While the recipe asks for salt and pepper, feel free to season the cheese sauce with additional flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are all excellent flavoring alternatives for the dish.
Utilize high-quality cheese: Because the cheese is such an important part of this dish, it's worth investing in a high-quality cheese. For a more nuanced flavor, look for sharp cheddar or a mix of other cheeses.
Different Toppings: While the recipe asks for crushed Ritz crackers, breadcrumbs or panko can easily be used for a crisp and delicious topping. To add flavor, combine the breadcrumbs with melted butter and some grated parmesan cheese.
Try with other cheeses: While cheddar cheese is the traditional choice for this dish, you may add a distinctive touch by experimenting with different cheeses. For a spicy bite, use pepper jack cheese, or gruyere cheese for a nutty and rich flavor.
Prepare ahead: This casserole may be cooked ahead of time and reheated for a quick and simple supper. Just make the casserole according to package directions, cover with foil, and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
If you're serving the dish as an appetizer or snack, consider dipping it in a dipping sauce like ranch or honey mustard. The acidic and sweet tastes will go nicely with the cheesy and flavorful dish.
You can take an already wonderful dish to new heights by following these tips and tactics. Enjoy!
How To Store Your Casserole
Here are some instructions for keeping, freezing, and reheating any leftovers from your Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole:
Let the dish to cool to room temperature before covering firmly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerating it for up to 3-4 days.
Let the casserole to cool to room temperature before wrapping it firmly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freezing it for up to 3 months. Make a note of the date on the container so you know when it was frozen.
Preheat the oven to 350°F before reheating the dish. Cover the casserole with foil after removing the plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through, in a preheated oven. Individual portions can be be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
Individual portion freezing and reheating: To store and reheat individual portions, cut the casserole into individual servings, cover firmly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil when ready to reheat and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your leftovers stay fresh and tasty for extended periods of time, allowing you to enjoy them again and again.
The "Cheesy" Farewells...
To summarize, this Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is a tasty and simple side dish that the entire family will enjoy. The combination of delicate broccoli and creamy cheese sauce, topped with crunchy Ritz crackers, is sure to please at any dinner or lunch gathering. So why not make this dish soon and discover for yourself how delicious it is?
You may even enjoy it again and again with the tips and tactics I've included for storing, freezing, and reheating leftovers. So get some fresh broccoli, collect your ingredients, and prepare to enjoy a delicious and filling supper!
Kid-Friendly Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the broccoli florets in a large pot of boiling salted water until they are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the broccoli and set it aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour to the saucepan and whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the salt and pepper to the sauce and stir well.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked broccoli to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine.
- Pour the broccoli and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the top of the broccoli and cheese mixture.
- Bake the Broccoli and Cheese Casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
143.09Fat
9.36 gSat. Fat
5.27 gCarbs
9.48 gFiber
2.09 gNet carbs
7.38 gSugar
2.96 gProtein
6.79 gSodium
313.48 mgCholesterol
25.31 mg
