Broccoli Cheddar Ritz Casserole (Printable)

Tender broccoli in creamy cheddar sauce with buttery cracker topping

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 5 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Topping

12 - 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers), crushed
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Combine broccoli and cheese sauce in a large bowl, mixing gently to coat evenly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
07 - In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with 3 tablespoons melted butter. Mix until evenly coated.
08 - Sprinkle cracker mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set slightly.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and sour cream creates the most velvety sauce youve ever tasted
  • That Ritz cracker topping gets impossibly golden and adds the perfect buttery crunch to every bite
  • Its the side dish that actually steals the show at holiday dinners
02 -
  • Room temperature sour cream incorporates much better than cold straight from the fridge
  • Shredding your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded makes the sauce noticeably creamier
03 -
  • Dont over blanch the broccoli or it will get mushy in the oven
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before combining with broccoli to prevent it from breaking
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