Velveeta Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers combines creamy cheese sauce and tender broccoli with a crunchy ritz cracker topping. This is one of those recipes that works for a weeknight side or for special holiday dinners.
I love making filling delicious meals for my family. These two are very popular in my house: easy ravioli bake and my cowboy casserole. Your family will love them.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Velveeta Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe for broccoli cheese casserole because it’s a quick, easy and incredibly delicious side dish. It’s a great recipe to add to a go-to dinner recipe stash.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: It hits all the notes of classic comfort food: warm, creamy, cheesy, and satisfying. The smooth, melty Velveeta cheese sauce is rich and coats the broccoli perfectly.
- Crowd-Pleasing Cheese Flavor: The combination of mild, creamy cheese, tender broccoli, and the salty, buttery crunch of Ritz crackers is generally loved by both adults and kids. It’s often a safe bet for picky eaters.
- Simple & Easy Enough to Make: Casseroles like this are typically straightforward. You cook the broccoli (no need to thaw), make a simple cheese sauce, combine, top, and bake. That is why the recipe works.
- Great Texture Combination: You get the smooth, velvety sauce, the soft bite of the broccoli, and the essential crispy, crumbly texture from the buttery Ritz cracker topping. This contrast is very appealing in this southern recipe.
- Perfect for Potlucks & Gatherings: It travels well and can often be made ahead (assembled and baked later, or fully baked and reheated). It’s a classic side dish that feeds a group and reliably disappears at potlucks, holiday meals (like Thanksgiving or Easter), and family dinners.
- Nostalgia Factor: For many, this type of casserole is a taste of childhood or reminds them of family traditions and gatherings. It evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity.
- Versatility: While delicious as is, it can often be adapted (e.g., adding chicken to make it a main dish, throwing in some bacon bits, using different cracker types). But the core recipe itself is a solid foundation.
How Do I Prevent the Broccoli from Getting Too Mushy?
If you find that your broccoli got a little mushy after baking the recipe, it may be because it cooked for too long. Next time, feel free to under cook the broccoli before adding it to the casserole, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Pro Tip for Ritz Cracker Topping
Before you pour the melted butter over your crushed Ritz crackers, try sautéing some aromatics in the butter. Finely minced garlic or shallots cooked in the butter for a minute or two will lend a subtle but delicious savory depth to the topping. You could also add a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the melting butter for an extra layer of flavor
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for the Side Dish
The best broccoli casserole is made with just a few simple ingredients. They can all be found in the kitchen, at the store or can be substituted.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Broccoli: For this recipe I’m using frozen chopped broccoli but you can also use fresh broccoli florets if you don’t have any frozen broccoli.
- Vegetables: Cauliflower, mushrooms and peppers can be added.
- Cheese: I’m using Velveeta, but you can use other real cheese such as sharp cheddar if you’d like.
- Cracker Crumbs: Ritz crackers are great in this recipe, buy you can really use any kind of cracker you like. Add crackers to a bag and crush to minimize mess.
- Protein: Add protein to this broccoli and cheese casserole to make it more filling.
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded or cubed rotisserie works great in this Velveeta casserole dish.
- Bacon: Crumbled bacon or pancetta for saltiness and crunch.
- Ham: Diced leftover ham is perfect, especially around the holidays.
- Ground Beef or Turkey: Add ground meat for a full meal broccoli casserole recipe.
How to Make Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
This broccoli rice casserole recipe comes together in 3 quick and easy steps. This vegetable dish is so good, I make it as one of my Thanksgiving side dishes.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook Broccoli: Preheat the oven and cook the chopped broccoli in a large pot according to package directions. Drain liquid and transfer to a square baking dish. Sprinkle with All Purpose Seasoning.
- Add Butter and Cheese: Cut 4 tablespoons of butter in cubes. Evenly disperse cubed butter and cheese over the broccoli.
- Make Cracker Topping and Bake: Melt remaining butter and mix in crushed crackers. Cover broccoli mixture with cracker topping and bake until cheese is hot and bubbly and top is golden brown.
Make Ahead Suggestions
Make this vegetable side dish recipe ahead of time so that you can just toss it in the oven when you get home from work.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble and bake this broccoli cheddar casserole recipe the day before, and then reheat it right before serving.
- Assemble Ahead: Prepare the broccoli casserole with Velveeta and ritz a day in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and then bake the ritz cracker recipes when you’re ready.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store any leftover broccoli Velveeta ritz cracker casserole in an airtight container. Broccoli cheese casserole with Velveeta cheese keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
- Reheating: Reheat the broccoli cheese mixture in the microwave. Crush the crackers and add more to the top of the casserole if they have become soggy.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy any leftovers with Crock Pot Roasted Chicken.
FAQS and Reader Interactions About This Recipe
In addition to using Velveeta cheese and Ritz crackers, you can use a different type of cheese, veggies, protein or rice.
Be sure to drain the broccoli well before you add the broccoli to the dish. Any extra water added may make your broccoli casserole with Velveeta cheese soggy.
Feel free to add any remaining cracker crumbs to the top to make sure the cheesy broccoli ritz casserole is nice and crunchy.
If needed, you can melt the process cheese with a little heavy cream before adding to make sure it’s nice and smooth.
Expert Tips for Making Ritz Crackers Broccoli Casserole This Recipe
- Add Vegetables: Add other vegetables to the broccoli florets such as onions, fresh garlic or mushrooms.
- Fresh Broccoli: Cook the fresh broccoli until tender and follow the recipe. Drain broccoli.
- Variation Tip: Top the broccoli mixture with freshly grated cheddar cheese and then ritz cracker mixture for more cheesy goodness.
- Dietary Consideration Tip: Use a low fat cheese or a low fat cracker for this tender broccoli recipe.
- seasoning: Add some extra flavor with seasonings like onion powder or a little salt and pepper.
- Serve this Recipe With: Serve with Crispy Brussel Sprouts Recipe with Prosciutto or French’s Green Bean Casserole.
More Recipes You Might Like
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Velveeta Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Video
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 20 ounces Broccoli, 2 packages of frozen chopped
- 8 tablespoons Butter, 1 stick, divided
- 8 ounces Velveeta, cubed
- 12 Ritz crackers, 1 sleeve crushed
- 2 teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Cook broccoli according to package directions.
- Drain liquid from the broccoli and transfer to a 9×9 inch casserole dish; Sprinkle with All Purpose Seasoning.
- Cut 4 tablespoons of butter in cubes.
- Evenly disperse cubed butter and cheese over the broccoli.
- Melt remaining butter.
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and cover broccoli mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Vegetables: Add other vegetables to the broccoli florets such as onions, fresh garlic or mushrooms.
- Fresh Broccoli: Cook the fresh broccoli until tender and follow the recipe. Drain broccoli.
- Variation Tip: Top the broccoli mixture with freshly grated cheddar cheese and then ritz cracker mixture for more cheesy goodness.
- Dietary Consideration Tip: Use a low fat cheese or a low fat cracker for this tender broccoli recipe.
- seasoning: Add some extra flavor with seasonings like onion powder or a little salt and pepper.
- Serve this Recipe With: Serve with Crispy Brussel Sprouts Recipe with Prosciutto or French’s Green Bean Casserole.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
broccoli favorite kung veggies
Lesley
That looks yummy! I make a chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole but I’ve never just tried it with the broccoli and cheese. Sounds scrumptious!
I’m glad you linked up today! However, I did not see a link back to my blog with a mention of the MYHSM meme.
I’d appreciate it if you could do that if you participate again in the future! It’s just a courtesy link and also so that your readers can see how the other people who linked to the meme are making their homes sing this week!
There is a link to the instructions on my meme post if you missed them. Thank you and have a great day!
Thanks, Moms The Word. I did add a link to your site on my blog roll. It should be there. Let me know if you’d rather something else.
Thanks for stopping by!
I just put mine in the oven. I did grate some Colby jack cheese and put it on top of the broccoli mixture. I then added the crushed ritz cracker and melted butter all over the top! It looks so yummy I can’t wait till it’s done!! Thank you for the recipe😋😋
Hi! This totally reminds me of ones that we make every holiday season! Get’s me in the spirit! Thanks so much for linking up to the party this week and please be sure to link back to it in your posts so everyone can enjoy all of the great Inspirations! 🙂
Vanessa
This looks delicious! No problem getting kids to eat their veggies when it is covered in cheese and crackers. La
How can you go wrong with Velveta? Love this!
Thanks so much for the link! Please be sure to link back to Saturday Swap in your post. Have a super weekend!!!
I like the way you presented it! Looks really yum! Happy Weekend!
wow. looks delicious. thanks for the recipe, saving it and i wish i could try it! happy weekend! 🙂
YUM!! Comfort food at it’s best – CHEESE and broccoli – this sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing with Friday Potluck!
This would make a wonderful side dish for Thanksgiving. I don’t think anyone could pass up something cheesy.
I agree, Lisa! And, it’s an easy way to get small children to eat broccoli!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love recipes that are easy yet super delicious! My grandmother made something almost identical to this and it’s been years since I’ve had it. I’ll definitely make this soon.
This looks fabulous! I always have trouble finding Velveeta in the grocery store. I can only ever seem to find the Velveeta slices, not the block of Velveeta.
Christina — I would use the slices if you can find those. Just make sure you have the right amount by weight. I don’t think the shape of the cheese matters since it melts.
My sister in law makes this every Thanksgiving and Christmas – mostly for me! It is a dish that always means holiday for me – you can keep your green bean salad – pass me the cheesy broccoli! Thanks for sharing this with us at the hearth and soul hop!
This is one of my favorites!
We love brocolli cheese soup, now we are going to have to try this. Thanks for sharing this on “Delicious Dishes”
i might be able to get my husband to eat broccoli if i served it this way! thank you for linking this simple yet scrumptious recipe to tuesday night supper club.
I’m always trying to find new side dish recipes, this one sounds like a keeper! Thanks!
This totally reminds me of something we would have eaten growing up! Do they still make Velveeta (well, apparently they do…loved it as a kid)!? I’ve saved this and will give it a try, bet the kids would gobble it right up!!! Thank you for sharing this with the hearth and soul hop this week!
Your recipe looks great. I will put it on my “to cook” list.
Thank you for sharing.
That was really simple ! I love anything that is this easy
and thanks for sharing that!
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you liked it!