Broccoli Casserole with Cream Cheese

There is no canned soup in this recipe. It is a loaded broccoli casserole with cream cheese, bacon, Cheddar cheese, and smokey Gruyere. Top it with Ritz crackers or Panko bread crumbs for a crunchy topping.

It makes the perfect side dish to add to any meal. Serve it with ham, chicken, steak, pork chops, or fish for an easy and delicious dinner.

4.81 from 31 votes

Print Pin Save

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 35

Servings: servings

Calories: 315kcal

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

For the Topping

¾ cup Panko or Ritz cracker crumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
zest of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons butter melted

For the Broccoli Casserole

4 tablespoons butter
1 shallot finely chopped
3 to 4 garlic cloves minced
5 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk or half and half
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Tabasco hot sauce
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces cream cheese
1-½ cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated smoked Gruyere cheese
½ cup bacon crumbles from 8 slices
1-½ pounds broccoli florets

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine the topping ingredients in a small dish and set it aside for later.
Place a large pot over medium heat (use a pot that is large enough to fit the broccoli later).
Melt the butter then add the shallot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic.
Add the flour and stir for 1 minute.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Cook for 3 minutes while whisking. Stir in the Dijon, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Remove from heat and stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and Gruyere. Stir until the cheese melts.
Add the bacon and broccoli florets. Stir until well coated then transfer to a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the topping over the broccoli and cover the casserole with aluminum foil.
Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for 20 to 25 more minutes.

Notes

You can use frozen broccoli in this recipe, but you will need to thaw it and pat it dry. If you use frozen broccoli, the cheese sauce will be slightly watery.

Nutrition