Cheesy Broccoli Bake

Get ready for the coziest side dish around! Our Broccoli Cheese Casserole mixes soft broccoli chunks with several melty, creamy cheeses to create something truly mouthwatering. It's packed with flavor and fits perfectly with any dinner - you'll love it during holiday meals especially!

What You'll Need

• Bite-sized Broccoli Pieces: 1½ pounds, creating a fresh green foundation for your dish.
• Softened Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, diced into small chunks, delivering that smooth, velvety texture that works so well with broccoli.
• Sour Cream: ¼ cup, adding just enough zip and extra creaminess.
• Cheddar Cheese (Shredded): 1 cup, bringing that familiar cheesy goodness that melts perfectly throughout.
• Parmesan Cheese (Grated): ¼ cup, offering that distinctive nutty bite that makes everything taste better.
• Minced Garlic: 2 cloves, for that warm, savory kick.
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon, bringing a mix of herby flavors to the dish.
• Salt: To taste, bringing out all the yummy flavors.
• Ground Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon, or whatever suits your taste, adding just a touch of spice.
• Red Pepper Flakes: If you want some heat, sprinkle some on top before serving.

How To Make It

Step 1: Get Everything Ready

Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 2.5 to 3-quart baking dish and rub some butter all over the inside so nothing sticks later.

Step 2: Deal With The Broccoli

Fill a big skillet with about ½ inch of salty water and bring it to a boil. Toss in your broccoli pieces, put the lid on, and cook on high for about 3-4 minutes until they're just tender but still a bit crisp. Drain them really well and dump them into your buttered dish.

Step 3: Create Your Cheesy Mix

Grab a bowl and throw in the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until you can't see any separate ingredients and all the cheese is blended nicely.

Step 4: Mix Broccoli With Cheese

Now dump your cheesy mixture on top of the broccoli in the baking dish. Give it a gentle stir so all those broccoli pieces get coated with creamy goodness.

Step 5: Bake Your Dish

Stick it in your hot oven for 17-20 minutes. You'll know it's done when it's bubbling away and the top has turned slightly brown.

Step 6: Time To Eat

Take it out and let it sit for about 5 minutes to cool down a bit. If you want, throw some red pepper flakes on top for extra flavor before digging in.

How To Serve & Store

This tasty broccoli dish is best served hot alongside your main courses. It goes great with pretty much any protein or as part of a vegetarian spread at family dinners or holiday feasts. Got some left? Just pop it in a sealed container and keep it in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want more, warm it up in your oven at 350°F or zap it in the microwave if you're in a hurry.

Good To Know

Make sure your cream cheese isn't cold from the fridge - room temperature makes for a much smoother sauce. After cooking your broccoli, drain it super well or even pat it with paper towels so your casserole doesn't turn soggy. Don't be shy with flavors - throw in extra garlic or a tiny bit of nutmeg if you want to make it even tastier.

Expert Advice

Ina Garten likes to toss in some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to make the dish smell and taste amazing. Alton Brown thinks a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper mixed into cheesy casseroles gives them just the right amount of heat.

What Makes It Great

You can whip this up in less than 30 minutes without any fancy techniques. The combo of gooey cheese and tender broccoli creates something truly comforting. It works for fancy holiday meals but is simple enough for random Tuesday dinners too - and everybody always wants seconds.

Mix It Up

Want some crunch? Crush up some Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs and sprinkle them on top before baking. Throw in some chopped cooked bacon pieces with the cheese mixture for smoky flavor. Not a broccoli fan? Try using cauliflower instead of some or all of the broccoli for a different twist.