A Simple Broccoli Casserole Recipe (Without Soup) – Step by Step Instructions

Are you looking for the best ever broccoli casserole recipe?  This fresh broccoli casserole with 4 ingredients is cheesy, buttery, crunchy and perfect.  Fresh broccoli, butter, Ritz crackers and American cheese combine for a simple broccoli casserole without soup.

Can you make broccoli casserole with fresh broccoli?

Yes, and this recipe proves it. I love a fresh broccoli casserole. The trick is to lightly steam the broccoli before adding it to the broccoli casserole. Be sure to drain it well to prevent your casserole from getting soggy.

Simple Broccoli Casserole

While flipping through one of my favorite vintage cookbooks, Savory Samplings, I stumbled upon this easy broccoli casserole with 4 ingredients – broccoli, butter, American cheese (Velveeta), and butter crackers (Ritz). This is my type of recipe.  I almost always have all these ingredients in my refrigerator and pantry.

Since I had all 4 items for the cheesy broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers, I whipped it up for Father’s Day.  My niece went bananas for it.  After her third helping, it was apparent that this broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers recipe is a winner.

I love how this recipe uses fresh broccoli instead of frozen.  Not that I have anything against frozen broccoli, because I use it all the time.  But fresh is the way to go in this side dish.

Broccoli Casserole Without Soup

Many broccoli casserole recipes include some type of cream soup in the shopping list, but this one does not. You won’t find a can of cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup anywhere in sight.

This version with Ritz crackers is old-fashioned, which is right up our alley. I love the cracker topping the best.

Some of our other favorite vintage casserole recipes include Old Fashioned Eggplant Casserole , Sour Cream Zucchini Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole and Potato Casserole with Rice Krispies.

We think any of these would be great paired with Crock Pot Pork Roast and Gravy or  3-Ingredient Crock Pot Spiral Ham.

Simple Broccoli Casserole Ingredient List

The grocery list is short for this recipe, and you might already have most of the ingredients on hand.

Fresh Broccoli

Ritz Crackers, crushed (or any other buttery crackers)

Velveeta (Cheese Melt)

Butter, melted

How to Make Fresh Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers

Step By Step Instructions

1. In a large pot, steam fresh broccoli florets; drain.
2. Return broccoli to the warm pan; add butter and Velveeta and cover pan.
3. After 5 minutes, stir until the cheese is melted.
4. Pour broccoli mixture into a prepared pan; sprinkle with crushed butter crackers.
5. Melt remaining butter. Pour melted butter over crushed Ritz crackers.
6. Finally, bake until golden brown.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Rewarm in the microwave.

For full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for Cheesy Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Cracker recipe, scroll to the bottom of this post.

How to cut fresh broccoli for a casserole

Follow these easy steps to cut up a head of broccoli for your favorite broccoli casserole.

1. Remove any leaves from the stems of the broccoli.
2. Wash broccoli with cold water, and shake dry.  Pat with a paper towel to completely dry, if needed.
3. Take a sharp knife, trim off a small slice at the end of the stalk and discard.
4. Separate the florets from the stem and cut each floret into bite-sized pieces.
5. Peel the tough outer edge of the broccoli stems, and discard.
6. Cut the peeled stems into bite-sized pieces.

Looking for other ways to use fresh broccoli? Try this old-fashioned Broccoli Salad with Raisins, Bacon and Red Onion!

Recipe FAQs

• You can use a 9 x 9 inch or 8 x 8 inch baking dish or a 2 quart baking dish for this fresh broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers recipe.
• This recipe for cheesy broccoli casserole involves a 2 step cooking process; first you steam the broccoli, and later on you bake in the oven. For that reason, I recommend steaming the broccoli until barely tender in the first step. This will prevent it from becoming too mushy later on.
• If desired, use frozen broccoli instead of fresh.  Cook according to package instructions, and drain well.
• Cheesy broccoli casserole calls for American cheese in the original recipe. I always use Velveeta or generic cheese melt when a recipe calls for American cheese.
• Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite kitchen and pantry items.
• This recipe calls for 1/2 pound American cheese.  Most blocks of Velveeta or cheese melt are 2 pounds.  To measure out 1/2 pound, do as follows:
  • With a knife, cut the block into half. Each half would be 1 pound.
  • Take one half, and cut in half again.  Each piece is 1/2 pound. This is what the recipe calls for.

Can you use fresh broccoli in a casserole?

Fresh broccoli is a a great ingredient in a casserole. I recommend steaming the broccoli for just a couple minutes to start the cooking process and to get bright, green color. However, do not cook it fully since it will continue to cook inside the casserole in the oven.

Easy Casseroles with Vegetables

Kentucky Southern Squash Casserole

Cheesy Summer Squash and Zucchini Casserole 

4 Ingredient Cabbage Casserole

Baked Lima Bean Casserole

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