Broccoli Casserole With No "cream of Something" Soups!

Submitted by breezermom

"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!"

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 (566.99 g) package frozen chopped broccoli
• 2.46 ml garlic, jarred minced
• 59.14 ml butter, divided
• 29.58 ml all-purpose flour
• 236.59 ml milk
• 1.23-2.46 ml salt
• 0.61 ml pepper
• 85.04 g package cream cheese, softened
• 118.29 ml cheddar cheese, shredded
• 118.29 ml breadcrumbs or 118.29 ml 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

[Kisha C.]

I love, love, love this recipe! I've been using it for years!! The only additions I make are adding Ruth Ann's seasoning (salt, black pepper, garlic, lemon peel and onion) from Penzey's Spices which is awesome on brocolli. It's a no brainer, must try!! Thank you.

 

[lesliecoy]

First, Let me say I was looking for a Rice and Chicken and Broccoli/Cauliflower and Cheese Recipe. With a couple of changes, this was exactly what I wanted ! The Sauce base for this recipe is very very tasty and perfect in every way. I used a package of Frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower, which I tossed in the microwave for a few minutes, then drained. I also left off the topping because I added some leftover Wild Rice to the mix. Smelled so good while cooking and the texture of the finished dish was just what I was wanting. Also, I was going to snap a photo of this when it came out of the oven, but we sat down at the table and the next thing I knew it was All Gone ! Maybe next time. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe !

 

[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!

 

[anniesnomsblog]

Absolutely loved this!! I am sometimes put off recipes when I see a list of soups mixed together, so the fact this is from scratch was perfect! Still easy to make and that buttery, breadcrumb topping was the "cherry" on top! Great dish, will definitely make it again!

 

[Mary Christmas]

This was excellent with fresh broccoli. The next time I make it I am going to mix some of the cheddar cheese in with the cream sauce instead of saving it all for the top. I used an 8 in. baking dish for this recipe, but plan to double it in a 13 x 9 for company. Very good!