Description
Paula Deen’s Broccoli Casserole is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy southern-style side dish featuring tender steamed broccoli florets mixed with a rich cheddar cheese sauce, condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and diced onions, topped with a crispy buttered breadcrumb crust. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and holidays, blending creamy textures and savory flavors for a crowd-pleasing vegetable dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup diced onion
Topping
- 1 cup buttered breadcrumbs (about 1 cup breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter)
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Start by washing and cutting fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, then steam them until just tender to keep their vibrant color and slight crunch.
- Mix the creamy sauce: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder. Mix well to create a rich, flavorful base.
- Combine broccoli and sauce: Fold the cooked broccoli gently into the creamy mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the broccoli and cheese mixture into a buttered casserole dish, spreading it out evenly for a uniform bake.
- Add the breadcrumb topping: Sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top to create a golden, crispy crust after baking.
- Bake to perfection: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the broccoli: Slightly undercooked broccoli holds up better in the casserole, avoiding mushiness.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for better melt and pronounced flavor.
- Butter your breadcrumbs to ensure a crispy, golden crust instead of a dry topping.
- Mix gently when folding broccoli into sauce to preserve texture and avoid breaking florets.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving and better flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Broccoli casserole, Paula Deen, broccoli side dish, creamy broccoli, cheesy casserole, southern recipe, comfort food, easy casserole