Broccoli Casserole With No "cream of Something" Soups!

breezermom's Note:

I love broccoli, and I love cream cheese, so this is a natural for me! When I was growing up, we always had that broccoli casserole with the rice, cheese, and cream of chicken, mushroom, or celery soup. But I have been trying to avoid the sodium content in the cream of "whatever" soups, and found that this broccoli casserole is really tastey! I've listed topping it with bread crumbs or ritz crackers, whichever is your preference. Do not use both...it is too much breading on top! I've also made this using fresh chopped broccoli and garlic, great either way! I hope you enjoy it!

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
• ½ teaspoon garlic , jarred minced
• ¼ cup butter , divided
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ¼-½ teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8; teaspoon pepper
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese , softened
• ½ cup cheddar cheese , shredded
• ½ cup breadcrumbs or ½ cup crushed Ritz cracker , fine and dry

Directions:

1. Cook broccoli according to directions, or if using fresh broccoli, chop it and cook it. Drain well. Add minced garlic to the broccoli. Place broccoli in a lightly greased 1 quart casserole; set aside.
2. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Add salt and pepper; stir well. Add cream cheese, stirring until smooth.
3. Pour cream cheese sauce over broccoli in casserole; stir gently to combine. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over low heat; remove from heat and stir in breadcrumbs or ritz crackers. Sprinkle breadcrumb or ritz cracker mixture evenly over casserole.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Made a few insignificant changes when preparing this dish ~ Used fresh broccoli & garlic, & then topped it all off with some crushed Milton's Original Multi-Grain Crackers! We're big fans of broccoli & thoroughly enjoyed this casserole! Will certainly be making this again, 'cause it's a nice new way to enjoy this veggie! Thanks for sharing it! [Made & reviewed in Zaar Stars tag]

[Starrynews]

This was very good! I am not a big fan of vegetable casseroles, but an annual potluck I attend always calls for a broccoli casserole. I am very excited to find this recipe, which provides a much fresher taste, and I really appreciate how it doesn't require cream of soups, sour cream, and mayonnaise. I used fresh broccoli, which I quickly blanched (I like the broccoli to remain crisp at the end of the baking time), omitted the salt, used skim milk and low fat cream cheese, and low sodium Ritz crackers for the topping. I also crushed the crackers directly on, without adding additional butter. I was very impressed with how it turned out. Thanks for sharing!

[bzsoccermom]

I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed this. The only thing I did differently was to use Panko in place of the breadcrumbs or crackers. It was really good, and not your typical broccoli casserole. Thanks!