Baking Broccoli Cheese Casserole: How Long Does It Take?

Broccoli cheese casserole is a delicious, family-friendly dish that can be served as a side or main course. The bake time for this dish varies depending on the recipe used and the desired level of doneness, but it typically falls between 30 and 60 minutes. The ingredients and preparation methods for broccoli cheese casserole can be adapted to personal preferences, making it a versatile and customizable dish.

How to prepare the broccoli

Preparing the broccoli is the first step in making a broccoli cheese casserole. You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli for this recipe. If using frozen broccoli, you can cook it in the microwave without any chopping or extra pots. If you prefer fresh broccoli, cut it into bite-sized pieces. You'll need about 6 cups of fresh broccoli florets, which is roughly two bunches.

When pre-cooking the broccoli, it's important not to overcook it. You want it to be crisp-tender, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Steam or parboil the broccoli until it reaches this stage. This should only take a couple of minutes. If you're boiling the broccoli, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the broccoli, and cook for about 2 minutes before draining it.

Once the broccoli is cooked, it's ready to be added to the rest of the ingredients and baked into a delicious casserole!

How to make the sauce

A good cheese sauce is the key to a delicious broccoli cheese casserole. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a creamy, flavourful sauce that will take your casserole to the next level.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the sauce:

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination of both)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: Sour cream, garlic powder, cayenne pepper

Step 1: Make a Roux

Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add an equal amount of flour and whisk to combine. Cook this mixture, known as a roux, for 1-2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.

Step 2: Add Milk

Slowly add milk to the roux, whisking continuously. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Seasonings

Gradually add shredded cheese to the sauce, whisking constantly. Good melting cheeses include Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination of the two. Keep heating the sauce over low heat until the cheese is fully melted and combined. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, and other seasonings like garlic powder or cayenne pepper for an extra kick. If you want a richer sauce, you can stir in some sour cream at this stage.

Tips for the Best Sauce

• For the creamiest sauce, use block cheese and shred it yourself at home. Pre-shredded cheese often includes anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
• Avoid aged, hard cheeses like Parmesan, as they don't melt as well.
• Add the cheese gradually to a warm base. If the liquid is too hot, the cheese fat will separate, resulting in a grainy or clumpy texture.
• Make sure not to overheat the milk, as it can scald and affect the texture of your sauce.

How to assemble the casserole

Preparing the Broccoli

Start by preparing the broccoli. If you are using fresh broccoli, cut it into florets. If you are using frozen broccoli, you can cook it straight from frozen, or you can thaw it first. Some recipes suggest briefly cooking the broccoli before assembling the casserole. This can be done by adding the broccoli florets to a pot of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until tender. If using frozen broccoli, cook it in the microwave for half of the time stated in the package instructions.

Making the Sauce

Next, make the sauce. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, eggs, and onions. Whisk until the mixture is well combined. If you are making a cheese sauce, melt butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until well combined, then whisk in the milk, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Monterey Jack cheese. Reduce the heat and continue whisking until the sauce has thickened slightly. You can also add sour cream to your sauce for extra creaminess.

Combining the Broccoli and Sauce

Now, it's time to combine the broccoli and sauce. Place the broccoli florets in a very large mixing bowl and break them up if necessary. Add the sauce and mix well. If you are adding meat to your casserole, this is the time to do so. Bacon is a popular choice, but cooked chicken can also be used.

Transferring to a Baking Dish

Transfer the broccoli and sauce mixture to a prepared baking dish. A 2-quart or 9-inch baking dish is commonly used, but a 13 x 9-inch dish can also be used.

Adding the Toppings

Sprinkle cheese and any desired toppings over the broccoli mixture. Popular toppings include crushed crackers, French-fried onions, and breadcrumbs.

Baking the Casserole

Finally, bake the casserole in the preheated oven. The baking time will depend on the depth of your casserole dish, but it typically takes around 35-45 minutes for the casserole to turn golden brown on top.

How to bake the casserole

Preparation

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You'll also want to grab a 9x13-inch baking dish and grease it with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Mayonnaise
• Eggs
• Onion (chopped or dried minced)
• Cheddar cheese (or cheese of your choice)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Butter or salted crackers (optional)

Cooking the Broccoli

If you're using fresh broccoli, add the florets to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. If you're using frozen broccoli, cook it in the microwave for half the time instructed on the package. Drain the broccoli and set it aside.

Making the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix the condensed soup, mayonnaise, eggs, and onion. You can also add in some shredded cheese at this stage for an extra cheesy sauce.

Assembling the Casserole

Place the broccoli florets in the greased baking dish and pour the sauce mixture over them, ensuring all the florets are coated. If desired, sprinkle some shredded cheese and/or crushed crackers on top.

Baking

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is golden brown on top.

Storage and Reheating

This broccoli cheese casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the casserole, it's best to do so before baking. Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed.

Tips and Variations

• You can add extra vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or peas to the casserole.
• For a healthier option, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, or omit the cheese and crackers.
• If you want a crunchier topping, add the crackers just before baking.
• Get creative with the cheese! While cheddar is a popular choice, you can also use smoked Gouda, Swiss cheese, fontina, or Havarti.
• For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper to the mix.

How to store leftovers

Storing leftovers of your broccoli cheese casserole is simple. First, let the casserole cool down completely. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to four days.

When you're ready to eat the leftovers, simply reheat your desired portion in the oven or microwave. If you're reheating in the oven, it's recommended to reheat at 350º F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. If you're reheating in the microwave, it should only take 1-2 minutes.

You can also freeze your leftovers! Transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat and serve.

Frequently asked questions