Go Back
–+ servings
A scoop of Broccoli Ritz Casserole being lifted from the dish.

Ritz Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This Broccoli Ritz Casserole is a holiday classic! With roasted broccoli, a homemade cheese sauce and a generous topping of buttery Ritz crackers, there's no better way to get your serving of veggies.
4.5 from 44 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 362kcal

Video

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb. broccoli florets (about 6 cups, about 3-4 small heads)
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 ½ cups warm milk (2% or whole)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 36 Ritz crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  • Spread the broccoli over a half sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil over all of the florets, tossing well to combine. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Taste a floret to make sure it is well seasoned, and add additional salt if needed.
  • Place the broccoli in the oven and roast for 14-16 minutes, or until the florets are browned on the edges and softened. Remove from the oven, then lower the heat to 375 degrees.
  • While the broccoli roasts, prepare the cheese sauce. Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and whisk together until smooth. Cook until bubbly, about 1 minute. Slowly drizzle in the milk, whisking constantly to combine. The mixture may be a little lumpy at first, but just keep whisking. As the mixture cooks it will become smooth and thick. Turn the heat to low, then stir in the garlic powder, and cayenne. Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking. Stir in the cheese until melted. Remove from heat.
  • Add the Ritz crackers to a ziplock bag or tray and use a rolling pin to break them up into smaller pieces. Pour the ¼ cup melted butter over top and stir well to combine.
  • Spread the roasted broccoli over the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over top, stirring so the florets are well coated. Top with the cracker crumbs.
  • Bake the casserole for 16-20 minutes, or until crackers are browned and cheese sauce is bubbly. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Make Ahead Instructions- Prepare the casserole as usual, then cover with foil or saran wrap and place in the fridge. The casserole will keep for up to 3 days. Uncover and bake as usual whenever you’re ready.
  • To Freeze Broccoli Ritz Casserole- Prepare the casserole in a freezer safe pan, then double wrap in saran wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as usual, allowing an extra 5-10 minutes for bake time.
  • Leftover instructions- Store leftover casserole in the fridge for up to five days.
  • Reheating instructions- To recrisp, place the broccoli cheese casserole in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or reheat individual portions in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes. Leftovers can also be microwaved, but the crackers won’t be as crisp.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli casserole with ritz crackers, broccoli cheese casserole, ritz broccoli casserole

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 340mg | Potassium: 291mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1018IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 258mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Leave a review, Mention @NeighborFoodie, or tag #neighborfoodies!