Blue Cheese Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Topping
A creamy, rich broccoli casserole bound with melted blue and cream cheese sauce, studded with crispy buttered Ritz cracker crumbs. Sharp blue cheese and tender broccoli create a bold side dish perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday tables. The two-stage baking—first covered, then topped with crunchy crackers—ensures the vegetables stay moist while the topping turns golden.
Ingredients
- 4 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 4 ounce cream cheese
- ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- black pepper, freshly ground(optional)
- 1 ½ cup Ritz cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350F and grease a medium casserole dish.
- 2
Steam broccoli florets until firm-tender, drain well, and pat dry with paper towels.
- 3
Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat in a large saucepan.
- 4
Add flour and stir for 1 minute to form a roux.
- 5
Add cream cheese, blue cheese, and milk; stir over low heat until melted and smooth.
- 6
Fold in steamed broccoli.
- 7
Mix 6 tablespoons melted butter with Ritz cracker crumbs until well combined.
- 8
Stir 1 cup of the cracker mixture into the broccoli mixture.
- 9
Season with black pepper if desired.
- 10
Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish.
- 11
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- 12
Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cracker crumbs, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until golden.
- 13
Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
Pat broccoli completely dry after steaming to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
For a milder blue cheese flavor, reduce to 1/4 cup and add an extra 1/4 cup of the milk.
Reserve some cracker crumbs for the top to ensure a crispy, golden finish.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 325F for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
Assemble the casserole (without baking) up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time if cold.
Serve as a side dish alongside roasted chicken, steak, or ham. Pairs well with a crisp salad and crusty bread.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip patting broccoli dry to avoid a watery casserole.
Stir the cheese sauce over low heat to avoid scorching the milk and cream cheese.
Do not cover with foil for the entire bake time to avoid a soggy cracker topping.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, use 4 cups frozen broccoli florets. Thaw and pat very dry before steaming to remove excess moisture. Steam briefly (1-2 minutes) or skip steaming if already soft.
What if I prefer a milder cheese flavor?
Reduce blue cheese to 1/4 cup and increase milk or half-and-half to 1.5 cups. Alternatively, substitute half the blue cheese with sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile.
Can I freeze the casserole?
Yes, freeze the unbaked assembled casserole (covered tightly) for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 350F for 50-60 minutes covered, then add topping and bake uncovered 15 minutes more.