Still trying to think of a side dish for Thanksgiving? Try broccoli casserole. It's got minimal ingredients, is easy to make, and you can even combine the ingredients today and bake it tomorrow. And unlike most casseroles, this doesn't call for a can of cream of anything! This dish is creamy and cheesy and not the healthiest on the table, but for special occasions, it's a crowd-pleaser.
Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Easy Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
4 cups raw broccoli, blanched OR 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
1 cup fresh sliced button mushrooms
4 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups breadcrumbs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
In a skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and brown the mushrooms. Remove the mushrooms and set aside. Sprinkle the flour in the pan and let it cook in the remaining butter until it is nicely browned and becomes smooth like peanut butter - add more butter if needed. Whisk in the milk and the broth and bring to a slow bubble, whisking all the while, until it gets thick. Add the mushrooms back in along with salt and pepper, and stir to mix. This is your "cream of mushroom soup" substitute.
In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, mayonnaise, cheese, mushroom roux, and eggs. Combine and place in the baking dish. Top evenly with bread crumbs. Cut the remaining butter up in little bits and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 35 minutes or until set and browned.
Related:
Is There an Alternative to Canned Cream Soups?
Thanksgiving Sides: 5 Alternatives to Green Bean Casserole
Just as Good! Lighter Mac and Cheese Casserole
Recipe Recommendation: Mushroom Casserole from 101 Cookbooks
(Image: Kathryn Hill)
Comments (10)
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this is traditional at our Thanksgiving -- I never eat it except tomorrow. Mmmmm
view mlleErica's profile
somehow mayonaisse just icks me out. my mom used to make something called chicken divan and it had mayo in it. bleeechh. mayo on (some) sammiches only!
view jenawithonen's profile
I have a similar recipe that's tradition: but ritz crackers crushed instead of bread crumbs, and no mayo.
view frzndaqiri's profile
I'm making a broccoli cheese casserole tomorrow! My recipe, though, only has four ingredients: broccoli, velveeta cheese, ritz crackers, and butter. The whole is much, much greater than the sum of its parts, trust.
view laetitiae's profile
We make a feta/spinach casserole every year. So easy and delicious (and healthier I think...) Frozen Chopped Spinach (4 boxes - thawed and slightly drained), crumbled feta, bread crumbs, eggs in the oven and voila - so good!!'
view JLBinBrooklyn's profile
I am not usually one for convenience products, but I am a fan of Paul Newman's Alfredo sauce, ingredients of which are "all natural" and really not so bad (mostly water, cheese, milk products). Normally I don't mind making bechamel for casseroles but on T'giving if pressed for time, this sauce serves as a useful substitute (much less junky than canned soup).
It takes about 10 seconds to make fresh bread crumbs in the blender, combine lightly parboiled veg (in my case brussels sprouts but works with anything you like) with the sauce, top with the crumbs, bake for 20 minutes and you have a tasty gratin. Of course you could add more spices/herbs, sauteed garlic/onion, red pepper flakes, etc.
view Charlotte's profile
Just say no. How about steamed broccoli with a butter/lemon/capers sauce? I hate all these casseroles. Who eats Ritz crackers at dinner?
view FantasticMrFaux's profile
My Aunt made this casserole instead of my Grandma this year. She tried to make it healthy. Our recipe is more like @laetitiae's -- there is NO WAY to make it healthy and still have it taste good. I am so disapointed!
view mlleErica's profile
So happy to see this post! I feel like broccoli casserole is always overshadowed by the green bean. Broccoli has been a staple at my family's Thanksgiving for 34 years! The best part in our dish I believe is the Cheese Whiz! And our secret ingredient is Water Chestnuts.
http://thesalerack.blogspot.com/2009/11/broccoli-cheese-casserole.html
view The Sale Rack's profile
This was great, but I recommend doubling the flour and halving the bread crumbs.
view vrt54432's profile