Velveeta Broccoli Casserole

This Velveeta broccoli casserole is the ultimate comfort food side dish—rich, creamy, and topped with a buttery crunch. It combines tender broccoli florets with a decadent Velveeta cheese sauce, then finishes with a golden layer of crushed Ritz crackers for the perfect crisp topping. Whether you call it a broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers or simply the best cheesy broccoli bake, this recipe will deliver. Perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, family gatherings, and casual weeknight dinners—it's always a favorite. 

Why This Is The Best Velveeta Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers

This Velveeta broccoli cheese casserole may be simple, but it’s easily one of the most flavorful casseroles I’ve ever made—and that’s saying a lot because I’ve made plenty of casserole recipes for the blog! Tender broccoli is smothered in a rich, smooth Velveeta cheese sauce that’s so good you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful. Top it with golden, buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, and you’ve got a casserole that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—even picky eaters who don't like broccoli love this! 

I love how delicious it is, but this casserole has a personal connection for me. My aunt Chrissy would always bring a cheesy broccoli casserole to our family holiday gatherings, and her secret was using Velveeta cheese to make the sauce extra creamy and decadent. It reminded me of broccoli cheese soup and was a dish I always looked forward to eating. I've wanted to share her recipe on the blog for quite some time,  but I felt like it needed a little something extra to turn it into a complete casserole. So I made her recipe even better by adding a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a crunchy finish. The result is a side dish that’s nostalgic, comforting, and completely irresistible.

The best part? It’s as easy as it is delicious. Make the cheese sauce, pour it over the broccoli, sprinkle on the crushed Ritz crackers, and let the oven do the rest. In just about 20 minutes, you’ll have this Velveeta broccoli casserole on the table.

That quick prep time makes it one of my favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it’s simple enough to whip up for weeknight dinners, too. While it bakes, I love pairing it with mains like pan fried chicken breasts for a complete meal.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1.5 lb. fresh broccoli steamed slightly (or frozen broccoli thawed)
• ⅓ cup butter, divided in half, one half melted
• 1 tablespoon flour
• ½ cup milk
• 6 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed
• Salt, to taste
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup crackers, crushed

By the way, you can use basically all of these same ingredients to make this Cheddar's broccoli cheese casserole as well. So if you're craving more easy and cheesy casseroles, check that one out next!

How To Make Velveeta Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Step 1: Make The Cheese Sauce

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C) and greasing a 9-inch casserole dish with some oil or butter.

Grab a large saucepan, set it over medium-high heat, and melt half of the butter in it. Once the butter has melted, you can add the flour, then mix it, and let it cook for 1 minute.

Add the milk and Velveeta cheese to the pot. Once the cheese starts melting, add in the eggs and whisk them with the rest of the ingredients. As soon as the cheese melts, you can add a little salt and pepper and whisk again until you have a smooth cheese sauce. 

Step 2: Assemble The Casserole

Now that the cheese sauce is ready to go, take the steamed broccoli and layer it in the prepared casserole dish. Pour the Velveeta cheese mixture evenly on top of the broccoli.

Next, crush the Ritz crackers if you haven't done so already and add them to a bowl along with the rest of the melted butter. Give the butter and crackers a little mix to combine, and then top the broccoli cheese casserole with them.

Step 3: Bake The Casserole

Once you've fully assembled your broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers, put it in the oven and bake it for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown on top and the casserole is warmed through. Serve warm and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for This Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This recipe makes six servings, so it's perfect for serving to a crowd. If you end up with leftovers, then consider yourself lucky because this cheesy broccoli casserole tastes great the next day!

Store any leftovers in your casserole dish with a lid, or transfer everything to an airtight container. Stored either of these ways, your casserole will keep in the fridge for about 3-5 days.

Alternatively, if you want your broccoli and cheese casserole to last even longer, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months.

This casserole is definitely best enjoyed warm, so you'll want to heat up your leftovers. If you want to reheat a few servings of the casserole, I suggest you put the leftovers in a baking dish and warm it at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes or until it reaches your desired temperature. Alternatively, if you want to reheat a single portion quickly, you can microwave your leftovers in 30-second intervals until fully reheated.

Velveeta Broccoli Casserole Recipe FAQS

Why is my broccoli cheese casserole watery?

If your broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers turns out watery, it’s usually because frozen broccoli was added straight to the dish without thawing. As it cooks, the broccoli releases water, which prevents the sauce from thickening properly. To avoid this, thaw frozen broccoli completely, then drain or pat it dry with paper towels or kitchen towels before mixing it into the casserole.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes! Frozen broccoli works just as well as fresh in this cheesy Velveeta broccoli casserole, as long as you thaw and drain it first. If you skip this step, the casserole can turn out watery. Steamed fresh broccoli florets give the best texture, but frozen is a great time-saving option.

Can I make Velveeta broccoli casserole ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When baking straight from the fridge, add an extra 5–10 minutes to the cooking time. This makes it a great make-ahead dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or potlucks—it's a lifesaver when you have to prepare other recipes!

What can I serve with this casserole?

This cheesy broccoli casserole makes the perfect side dish for comfort food favorites like chicken cobbler, chicken and mashed potatoes, panko pork chops, or chicken pot pie with biscuits.

More Casserole Recipes To Try

If you liked this recipe, we have plenty more easy casserole recipes on the blog for you to try next! Check these out:

• Cauliflower casserole
  
• Vegetable casserole
• Cheeseburger casserole
• Chicken noodle casserole
• Chicken cauliflower casserole
• Corn casserole with cream cheese
• Million dollar spaghetti casserole

Oh, and if you're looking for even more recipes, be sure to check out our TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. We post new ones on them every day!