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Velveeta Broccoli Casserole – The Perfect Side Dish!
Are you looking for a delicious side dish to bring to upcoming family gatherings? This one is perfect for Easter or Christmas dinner – or just for a yummy side!
This Velveeta Broccoli and Cheese Casserole is one of our family’s favorite recipes, and I know you’ll love it too.
My stepmom has made this for years, and it’s seriously the one recipe that all the grandkids come in fighting for. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli, and I promise your bunch will gobble down every last bite of their broccoli.
MENU TIP: This cheesy broccoli casserole is from our Celebration Series Menu Planning Made Easy set. But it’s so good you could really have it at ANY gathering!
Velveeta Broccoli and Cheese Casserole Ingredients
- Frozen Broccoli Florets
- Velveeta or Store Brand Easy Melt Cheese
- Margarine or Butter
- Ritz Crackers (for that yummy crunchy topping!)
How To Make Velveeta Broccoli Casserole:
First, cook the bags of broccoli in the microwave. You can definitely use fresh broccoli as well, but I love that the frozen makes it so easy!
(Tip: if using fresh broccoli, just steam in microwave prior to cooking with a little water. IT WILL STINK, but it honestly might taste even a little better than frozen if you don’t mind the smell!)
While the broccoli is cooking in the microwave, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Start melting your Velveeta and 3/4 stick of margarine or butter on your stove top. Use low to medium heat (this will depend on your stove – just be sure not to burn the cheese sauce!).
Next, thoroughly drain the broccoli and make sure that any excess water is drained. If you don’t, you might end up with a runny cheese sauce.
Then, stir together your broccoli and Velveeta mixture, and place into an 8×11 casserole dish.
After the mixture is in the casserole dish, we will make the cracker topping.
Melt the remaining 1/4 stick of margarine or butter. Crush your Ritz crackers and then mix with the melted butter or margarine. Then, top the Broccoli cheese mixture with the buttery cracker crumbs.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until cooked through and crackers begin to brown. Feel free to season to taste with salt and pepper and garlic powder.
Velveeta Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 Bags Frozen Broccoli
- 16 oz Velveeta
- 3/4 Stick Margarine or Butter
- 1 Sleeve Nabisco Ritz Crackers
- 1/4 Stick Margarine or Butter
Instructions
- Cook broccoli in microwave.
- Meanwhile, Melt Velveeta and 3/4 stick margarine or butter on stove top over low heat.
- Thoroughly drain broccoli. (Press out as much excess water as possible so your cheese sauce does not get runny)
- Stir together broccoli and velveeta mixture, and then place in 8x11 casserole dish.
- Melt remaining 1/4 stick of margarine. Crush Ritz crackers and mix with the margarine, then top Broccoli cheese mixture with crackers.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until cooked through and crackers begin to brown.
This Velveeta broccoli casserole goes great with any type of meat and reheats beautifully!
Bonus tip? You can find this broccoli cheese casserole recipe in our Celebration Menu Plans too!
Here are some other dishes you might like to try:
The best!
So glad this recipe is a hit! 🙂
The best broccoli casserole IN THE WORLD used roll of Kraft garlic cheddar cheese melted in a can of cream of mushroom soup. And then Kraft quit making the rolls of cheese and my life has never been the same.
Hi Barbara! I am so happy you love this recipe. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Can you freeze broccoli casserole ?
I definitely have before, sealed well, and it was just as delicious as cooking it fresh!
My Mom made this but I think She added Milk to the ingredients, I don’t remember How Much. I’m now 75 yo and she is no longer here to ask. It’s pretty near this same Recipe including the same brand of Cheese & Crackers, Ritz.
Thanks so much for letting us know! 🙂
I’m making this for Thanksgiving today. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Crystal! 🙂
How many days ahead can this be in fridge un cooked?
Sure! I would make up the dish and place it in the casserole. Don’t add the crackers and melted butter till day of. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days. Hope this helps! Enjoy!
Can you make this in the crockpot?
I don’t see why you couldn’t! I would first spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all the ingredients, add the topping and cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours. Let us know how it turns out!
I made this for our early Easter dinner and it was a huge hit. Now my family wants to add this to our weekly food rotation.
Yayy ~ so glad to hear that Desi! 🙂
How many ounces or pounds is 2 bags of broccoli?
Depending on the brand, they’re around 10.8 – 12 ounce per bag Vanessa! 🙂 Hope that helps!
I don’t have the crackers so I’m going to try topping it with crushed croutons and melted unsalted butter. Wish me luck
I like to add cauliflower to ours.
Enjoy
Great idea ~ thanks for the tip Grandma Fox! 🙂
Our favorite family casserole is Broccoli Cheesy Chicken. It also has mushrooms, Durkee’s FrenchFried Onion Rings, and other yummy flavors like curry powder! This is our go to. We love It.
That sounds so yummy Sheri!
I’m going to add leftover chicken into this and make it a meal.
Great idea Kathy!
Can you use shredded cheese instead of velveeta?
Denise – I make a broccoli casserole that uses cream of mushroom soup and shredded cheddar cheese. I’m sure shredded cheese would work just fine.