Best 5 Healthy Cheesy Broccoli Casserole Recipes

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Looking for a hearty, cheesy, and healthy side dish that will please the whole family? Look no further than this cheesy broccoli casserole. Made with fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce, this casserole is sure to be a hit. It's also packed with nutrients, making it a great choice for a healthy weeknight meal.

This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to your liking. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon. If you like your casserole extra cheesy, feel free to add more cheese. You can also add other vegetables to the casserole, such as cauliflower, zucchini, or bell peppers.

This Cheesy Broccoli Casserole is a comfort food classic that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. It is made with simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand, and it can be tailored to your dietary needs and preferences. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, tender broccoli, and crispy breadcrumb topping, this casserole is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or family gathering.

In addition to the classic cheesy broccoli casserole recipe, the article also includes variations for a healthier version, a bacon-ranch version, and a gluten-free version. So, whether you're looking for a classic comfort food dish or a healthier alternative, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that you'll love.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BROCCOLI CHEESE CASSEROLE



Broccoli Cheese Casserole image

Deliciously cheesy broccoli casserole will convince even the most reluctant picky eaters that broccoli is in fact worth eating.

Provided by Vered DeLeeuw

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Olive oil spray
1 lb. fresh small broccoli florets
½ cup avocado oil mayonnaise ((or sour cream, or 1/4 cup of each))
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt ((or 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt))
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup grated cheddar (divided)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with olive oil.
  • Place the broccoli florets in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons water. Cover and microwave on high until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in another large bowl, prepare the creamy sauce. Mix together the mayonnaise (or sour cream), Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and half of the grated cheddar cheese. Add a little water to thin out the mixture, about 1 tablespoon.
  • Drain the broccoli well and add it to the creamy sauce. Gently toss to coat.
  • Transfer the coated broccoli to the prepared baking dish. Lightly spray the top with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top.
  • Bake the casserole until golden brown and bubbly around the edges, 15-20 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 437 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BROCCOLI BAKE



Broccoli Bake image

This easy broccoli bake with cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs is a creamy broccoli casserole that can be a main dish or a side at Thanksgiving.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
5 cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets ((about 1 1/4 pounds))
1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cups non-fat milk
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a wide, deep cast iron (or other ovenproof) skillet. Once melted, pour the butter into a small mixing bowl, then combine with the Panko breadcrumbs and the Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Sprinkle the white whole wheat flour over the top, then whisk constantly for 1 minute, until the butter smells fragrant and the flour turns slightly golden. Very slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly, adding a little at a time so that you break up the clumps of flour as you go. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes, allowing the mixture to bubble. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, mustard, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the cheddar until smooth.
  • Add the reserved broccoli, stir to coat, then pat the broccoli into an even layer in the skillet. (Alternatively, if you feel your skillet is not large enough to easily stir in the broccoli without it spilling out, you can combine the two in a separate bowl, then transfer the mixture back into the skillet.)
  • Sprinkle the Panko mixture evenly over the top of the broccoli. Bake until hot and the topping is crisp and light golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. (Tip: For an even crisper topping, place the skillet under your broiler for a few minutes at the end, watching carefully so that it doesn't burn.) Let stand 5 minutes, then serve.

Nutrition Facts : TransFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 (of 4), Calories 306 kcal, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 15 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 8 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g

AWESOME BROCCOLI-CHEESE CASSEROLE



Awesome Broccoli-Cheese Casserole image

My mom used to make this easy recipe every Thanksgiving when I was little. We kids could never get enough! It was our very favorite Thanksgiving vegetable. If you have children, or have some coming to visit you as guests this Thanksgiving, I guarantee that they will eat (and enjoy) this veggie dish! Even though I rarely cook with canned condensed soups, I still make this yummy broccoli casserole during the holiday season. It's fabulous with a Christmas ham and potatoes au gratin too. Mmmmmmm!

Provided by Stacy M. Polcyn

Categories     Side Dish     Casseroles     Broccoli Casserole Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten
¼ cup onions, chopped
3 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 dash paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together condensed soup, mayonnaise, egg and onions.
  • Place frozen broccoli into a very large mixing bowl. (I like to use my large stainless steel bowl to mix this recipe thoroughly.) Break up the frozen broccoli. Using a rubber spatula, scrape soup-mayonnaise mixture on top of broccoli, and mix well. Sprinkle on cheese, and mix well. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish, and smooth top of casserole. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
  • Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.7 calories, Carbohydrate 9.4 g, Cholesterol 63.5 mg, Fat 34.1 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 11.3 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 618.7 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

HEALTHY BROCCOLI CHEESE BAKE



Healthy Broccoli Cheese Bake image

A more nutritious version of the classic casserole, made with mushrooms, peppers, and whole-wheat bread crumbs.

Provided by RuthE

Categories     Side Dish     Casseroles     Broccoli Casserole Recipes

Time 1h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
½ teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon black pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk, heated
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded Romano cheese
7 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed, well drained on paper towel
1 cup fresh whole-grain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, cut into bits

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, stirring frequently, until mixture begins to brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and milk and bring to a boil, stirring until smooth. Boil, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in cheddar and 2 tablespoons romano. Stir in broccoli and pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
  • Toss bread crumbs with remaining 2 tablespoons romano and sprinkle over top. Dot with butter.
  • Bake, uncovered, until crumbs are golden and casserole is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.2 calories, Carbohydrate 25.9 g, Cholesterol 18.8 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 407.6 mg, Sugar 3.6 g

HEALTHY CHEESY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE



Healthy Cheesy Broccoli Casserole image

This is a little healthier version. I'm not sure who gave me the recipe, but it is quick and easy, and my nephew who is 5 will eat it.

Provided by cowbells27

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 diced cooked chicken breasts
3 tablespoons flour (I use whole wheat)
1 cup low-fat milk
1 cup reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 teaspoon mustard (wet)
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheese (I like mozzarella the best, my husband cheddar)
2 (12 ounce) bags broccoli, steamed lightly
1 cup crushed corn flakes
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Stir the flour, milk, chicken broth, mustard, and onion flakes in a glass baking dish.
  • Microwave on HIGH for 4-6 minutes, stirring well every 2 minutes until the cream sauce is thick and bubbly.
  • While cooking the cream sauce, steam the broccoli for about 4 minutes.
  • Mix the cheese into the cream sauce.
  • Put the broccoli and diced chicken in a 9 x 13 pan. Pour the cheese sauce over the top.
  • Mix the cornflakes and parmesan together, and pour over the top.
  • Broil until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 124, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 23.8, Sodium 120, Carbohydrate 13.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 3.7, Protein 12.1

Tips:

  • Use Fresh Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets provide the best texture and flavor to the casserole. If using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and drain off any excess water before adding it to the casserole.
  • Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives and preservatives. Shredding your own cheese ensures that you're using fresh, high-quality cheese that will melt smoothly.
  • Don't Overcook the Broccoli: Broccoli should be tender but still slightly crisp. Overcooked broccoli will become mushy and lose its flavor.
  • Use Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the casserole. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the salt in the recipe.
  • Add Some Herbs or Spices: To enhance the flavor of the casserole, consider adding some herbs or spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper.
  • Let the Casserole Rest Before Serving: Once the casserole is baked, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to set.

Conclusion:

This cheesy broccoli casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy cheese sauce, tender broccoli florets, and crispy breadcrumb topping, this casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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