This copycat Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole is as good as comfort food gets. It combines tender broccoli florets with creamy melty cheese and a buttery cracker crumble topping. Honestly, it's so good that everyone will think you got it straight from the restaurant! But, the best part is that it takes just 5 minutes to prepare.
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The Best Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole is insanely delicious, but I can't take all of the credit. This is a copycat recipe inspired by the broccoli cheese casserole served at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. And, well, if you've ever ordered from there before, then you already know it might just be one of the best things - if not the best thing - they have on the menu. Right next to their Santa Fe spinach dip, of course.
Anyway, this version of their delicious broccoli cheese casserole is so decadently creamy and cheesy. And, of course, just like the Cheddar's casserole, this homemade one is not only filled with perfectly cooked broccoli but buttery, crunchy crackers as well.
Gah, it's just so good, and it's so easy to make too!
Seriously, you can make this broccoli casserole recipe with just 4 main ingredients and just a couple of simple steps. Honestly, the hardest part about this recipe is waiting for the casserole to bake in the oven!
So, while it's baking, you can make equally delicious recipes to pair with it - this panko breaded chicken recipe and the iconic Cheddars honey butter croissants are two of my favorites
Ingredients
As I mentioned earlier, this Cheddars broccoli casserole recipe requires only 5 simple ingredients! And the best part is that they're kitchen staples, so you probably have most - if not all - of them at home already.
Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make my take on Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole:
- 28 oz. frozen broccoli pieces, thawed
- 10 oz. Velveeta cheese or American cheese, cut into cubes
- 20 oz. buttery crackers, crushed
- 3 tablespoon butter, melted
- Salt, to taste
Simple stuff, right?!
By the way, if you have any leftover broccoli, you can put it to good use by making this vegetable casserole. It's another one of my favorite vegetable casserole recipes!
And if you love cheese and broccoli together, you can use any extra broccoli you have to make this Panera broccoli cheese soup or Velveeta broccoli casserole.
Ingredient Substitutions And Suggestions
Now, I always make this broccoli cheese casserole recipe with the ingredients listed above. But, with that said, there are some substitutions you can make, and the recipe will turn out just as delicious.
For instance, if you want to make this casserole heartier, add in as many vegetables as you want, like cauliflower, bell peppers, onions, or even carrots.
If you want to make this a more filling meal, you can also try adding chicken. A rotisserie chicken is the simplest way, and let's face it, this broccoli cheese casserole should stay simple.
Another easy modification is the cheese that you use. I suggest using Velveeta cheese since it melts so perfectly, but you can also use cheddar cheese cubes or really any other cubed cheese that you want.
Lastly, for the crackers, classic Ritz crackers are a favorite of mine, but you can really use any kind that you like. For what it's worth, my daughter loves it when we make this casserole with goldfish crackers.
How to Make Cheddar's Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Now, getting out your ingredients is the hardest thing you'll have to do, then the rest of this recipe is smooth sailing.
Also, as I mentioned, it'll only take you about 5 minutes to prep the casserole, then the oven does all of the work.
So, with all that said, let's not waste any more time and get into how to make Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole!
Step 1: Prep Work
First things first, you'll want to preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Next, if you haven't done so already, drain the thawed broccoli and then lightly season it with salt and pepper to taste. Then, put all of the broccoli in the prepared casserole dish and top it with the cubed cheese - make sure to place the cheese evenly around the casserole.
Step 2: Make the Crumbly Topping
Now it's time to make the delicious crunchy topping.
So, to do that, you'll want to add the crushed Ritz crackers - or whatever you want to use - and the melted butter to a bowl. By the way, the best way to crush the Ritz crackers is by taking them out of the package, adding them to a Ziploc bag, and using a rolling pin to break them up.
Anyway, now you can mix these two ingredients together until the crackers soak up the butter. Next, sprinkle some of the cracker mixture over the broccoli and cheese, give everything in the casserole dish a good stir to combine, and then top with the rest of the crackers.
Step 3: Baking the Broccoli Cheese Casserole
So, now that everything is combined in the baking dish, you can put it in the oven and bake this cheesy broccoli casserole for around 45 minutes.
Then, once it's cooked - and the cracker crumbles look golden brown - you can take it out of the oven and let it sit for a minute to cool down.
Finally, serve while it's still warm, and enjoy!
How to Store Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This recipe for Cheddars broccoli casserole will make 4 servings. And, honestly, it's so delicious that everyone will be wanting seconds or even thirds! So, with that said, you may want to double or triple this recipe.
Then, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
By the way, if you want to store this casserole for longer, you can put it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 6 months.
How to Reheat Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Once you get that craving for this broccoli cheese casserole again, you can easily heat it up.
I recommend putting the casserole back in a baking dish and reheating it in the oven. To do this, warm the casserole at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Alternatively, to reheat it even quicker, you can just put the casserole in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 seconds increments until it reaches your desired temperature.
Wrapping It Up
Well, there you have it, that is how to make Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole at home!
Honestly, this recipe is one for the books. The melty cheesy broccoli and crumbly buttery crackers are a combination that will keep everyone coming back for me. Not to mention, along with being crazy delicious, it's actually easier to make than driving to Cheddar's to get it!
Anyway, if you give this recipe a try, let us know how it went in the comments below.
More Copycat Recipes
If you enjoyed this restaurant-inspired meal, we have a ton of other copycat recipes on the blog that you can try next!
Here are some of our most popular recipes:
- Brenda Gantt cabbage casserole
- Olive Garden chicken parmigiana
- Olive Garden cheese ravioli
- Panera strawberry poppyseed salad
- Red Lobster shrimp scampi
- Chik-Fil-A Chicken noodle soup
- Outback mac and cheese
Also, for more tasty recipes - just like this broccoli cheddar casserole - don't forget to follow us along on Tiktok, Youtube, and Instagram. We post new ones on them every single day.
Cheddars Broccoli Cheese Casserole Made With 4 Ingredients
This copycat Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole is as good as comfort food gets. It combines tender broccoli florets with creamy melty cheese and a buttery cracker crumble topping. Honestly, it's so good that everyone will think you got it straight from the restaurant! But, the best part is that it takes just 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
- 28 oz. frozen broccoli pieces, thawed
- 10 oz. Velveeta cheese or American cheese, cut into cubes
- 20 oz. buttery crackers, crushed
- 3 tablespoon butter, melted
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
- Drain the thawed broccoli. Season the broccoli with salt to taste.
- Place the broccoli in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Top the broccoli with the cubed cheese.
- In a bowl, combine crushed crackers and melted butter.
- Sprinkle the crackers mixture over the broccoli and give it all a good stir.
- Bake the casserole for 45 minutes.
- Serve while warm.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 20g
Hailey Deilgara
This casserole has the perfect proportions of everything. I especially loved how every bite has the buttery crackers they are so good.
Sarah Levi
I cannot express enough how delicious this was! We are going to make this very very often.
Chelsea
Was so pleased with how easy this was and I have leftover ingredients to make it again this week. Super happy with the recipe.
Brandon
Me and my wife have made this three times now and it gets better each time. Delicious healthy side for dinner.
Michelle
I just came from Cheddar’s and they have ti e in theirs. How would you recommend I add the rice? Cooked? And how much? Thank you!
Brendan Cunningham
I would just add two cups of cooked rice to the casserole dish with the broccoli and bake it as directed with the rest of the ingredients!
Su Therrell
I want to freeze this for a later date. Do I bake it before I freeze?
Brendan Cunningham
Yes I would bake it first for easy reheating