Mom's Thanksgiving Broccoli Casserole

Celebrate the warmth of the holidays with Mom's Thanksgiving Broccoli Casserole, a rich and comforting side dish that’s sure to steal the show! Featuring vibrant, blanched broccoli florets enveloped in a creamy cheddar and cream cheese sauce, this recipe takes classic casseroles to the next level of indulgence. The topping—a buttery mix of crushed Ritz crackers and Parmesan cheese—bakes to golden perfection, adding irresistible crunch to every bite. Easy to prepare in just under an hour, this nostalgic casserole is the perfect complement to turkey or ham, making it an essential addition to your holiday table. Whether for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy family dinner, this dish is packed with flavor and love, just like mom used to make.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups Fresh broccoli florets
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups Whole milk
• 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Onion powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 1.5 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender. Drain the broccoli and transfer to an ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain again and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 3

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add the blanched broccoli to the cheese sauce and gently toss to coat the florets evenly.

Step 7

Transfer the broccoli mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Mix until the topping is evenly moistened.

Step 9

Sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the casserole.

Step 10

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.

Step 11

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Mom's Thanksgiving Broccoli Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1225.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2500.5

Total Fat 208.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 637.6mg	0%
Sodium 5132.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 27.8g
Protein 105.2g	0%

Vitamin D 161.0IU	0%
Calcium 2820.5mg	0%
Iron 4.5mg	0%
Potassium 1888.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.2%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 11.6%