Broccoli Casserole

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This lightened-up broccoli casserole is sure to be a hit. Learn how to make this classic side dish healthier.

Prep Time:
40 mins
Additional Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
12 servings
  • This lightened-up broccoli casserole transforms a classic side dish into a healthier option for holiday gatherings.
  • Regularly consuming broccoli may help boost the immune system and reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease.
  • For convenience, you can use prepackaged broccoli florets, but buying a whole head of broccoli is usually more cost-effective.

When you've got this Broccoli Casserole recipe, you can forget about serving boring steamed broccoli at your holiday gatherings. We load up this casserole with antioxidant-rich ingredients that also add a ton of flavor, starting with onions and garlic—and, of course, broccoli. We lighten it up and boost the flavor by swapping in low-sodium chicken broth for the milk that would typically be used. The creamy texture comes from reduced-fat cream cheese and the perfect amount of melty Colby Jack cheese. Toasty breadcrumbs finish this dish off with a little complementary crunch. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to save time in the kitchen making this dish.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To save time, you can use prepackaged fresh broccoli florets. However, if you're looking to save money, buying a whole head of broccoli will be more economical.
  • If you're short on time, there's no need to make breadcrumbs from scratch; you can use premade ones instead. This recipe calls for 2 slices of bread, which is equivalent to about 1 cup of breadcrumbs.
  • Properly dicing an onion rather than chopping it will help prevent your eyes from tearing up.
  • We believe that Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient. If you don't have it, you can substitute soy sauce with a pinch of sugar. While it won't be quite the same, it's better than having no substitute at all.

Nutrition Notes

  • Broccoli is a powerhouse veggie, loaded with fiber, antioxidants, folate and vitamins C and K. If you eat broccoli regularly, you might build a stronger immune system and reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.
  • Onions become mellow and sweet in this dish. They also add an antioxidant called quercetin, which has been linked to reduced blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol, making onion a heart-healthy superhero.
  • Garlic has many of the same health benefits as onions. There is evidence that including garlic in your diet may reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar—great news if you struggle in any of these areas.
  • Cheese turns the typical broccoli shunner into a broccoli lover. It also adds bone-building calcium and muscle-loving protein to this dish.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread

  • 2 pounds broccoli florets

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided

  • 2 cups diced onion

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • ¾ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Spread the breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and bake until dry and crispy, about 10 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Steam broccoli until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Chop coarsely and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.

  4. Increase oven temperature to 350°F.

  5. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute. While stirring, slowly pour in chicken broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, Worcestershire, pepper and salt and cook, stirring, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups cheese. Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli.

  6. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Combine the melted butter and the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Spread evenly over the broccoli mixture. Top with the remaining ½ cup cheese.

  7. Bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.

    Broccoli Casserole

Equipment

9-by-13-inch baking dish, food processor, large pot, steamer basket

To make ahead

Prepare the casserole through Step 5 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 6 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It may be a little mushy when cooked, but it should still be delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I substitute frozen broccoli for fresh broccoli in a casserole?

    Fresh is best for taste and texture, but you can use frozen broccoli. It's blanched before freezing, which means it's already partially cooked. To use frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and drain well before adding it to the baking dish in Step 3.

  • How do you thicken Broccoli Casserole?

    This casserole is thickened with roux, which is a mixture of flour, butter and extra-virgin olive oil. The mixture is cooked with onion and garlic, then chicken broth is added and it's cooked for about 3 minutes until thickened. Cream cheese and shredded Colby Jack cheese are stirred in to thicken it further into a creamy cheese sauce for the casserole.

  • What should I serve with Broccoli Casserole?

    In addition to being a convenient and delicious side dish for winter holidays, this casserole will elevate dinner any night of the week at any time of the year, whether you're serving chicken drumsticks, pork chops or a skillet steak.

 EatingWell.com, November 2016

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

225 Calories
15g Fat
13g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 225
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 11g 22%
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Vitamin A 2623IU 52%
Vitamin C 73mg 81%
Folate 76mcg 19%
Sodium 331mg 14%
Calcium 215mg 17%
Iron 1mg 8%
Magnesium 34mg 8%
Potassium 412mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

Linda Frahm,
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.
and
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.