Your Kids Will Love This Easy Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole Made With Ritz Crackers

This Broccoli and Cheddar Ritz Casserole is the Hero at Your Dinner Table

Some meals hit the table because you planned for them. Others show up because you just need something warm, cheesy, and comforting that reminds you—you’ve still got it in the kitchen. This broccoli cheddar casserole showed up on a day I needed to feel productive and nourished at the same time. My husband was working late, I had just enough time to prep before daycare pickup, and I needed a side dish that could hold its own next to pan-seared ribeye and roasted potatoes—but still be soft, melty, and toddler-approved.

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The Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole Moment

I used a full 32-ounce bag of fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces. I steamed it in the microwave, which was a first for me—but it saved time and honestly worked beautifully. I wanted everything to be fork-friendly for my daughter, so I made sure it was cut small, just how she likes it, befriending the cheddar in this Ritz casserole.

From there, I made a quick cheese sauce with:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Shredded sharp cheddar
• Garlic and onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• And the surprise hit: allspice—just a small pinch to warm it up

Then I stirred in a good scoop of sour cream for extra creaminess. I tasted it (like you should) and adjusted. That’s one thing I’ve learned—taste as you go. If it needs more sharp cheddar to punch through, add it. If you think it needs salt, trust yourself.

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Let’s Talk Topping Ritz Cracker With Your Brocolli and Cheddar Casserole

I crumbled up Ritz crackers—not crushed fine, but gently broken so my daughter could still recognize them. That texture made all the difference. And unlike traditional recipes, I didn’t add butter to the topping. Why? Because the cheese had enough oil to help it crisp on its own, and I didn’t want the top greasy.

I sprinkled on a little more cheddar, popped it in the oven at 375°F, and let it go for 40 minutes.

The result? Creamy, cheesy, bubbly, and golden. It looked like it had been bubbling in grandma’s oven all day—even though it came together in under an hour, perfectly showcasing the broccoli Cheddar Ritz combination.

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Tools That Make It Easier

Here’s what I used (or recommend) to make the process smooth and stress-free:

• Stainless steel mixing bowls with rubber bottoms — no sliding when stirring the cheese sauce
• Disposable food prep gloves — especially when dealing with sour cream or mixing crumbs
• And my baking dish, which I spray down with Pam butter spray so nothing sticks

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Serve This Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole With

• Pan-Seared Ribeye Steaks
• Roasted Parmesan Baby Potatoes
• Or keep it cozy and let this casserole be the star next to simple rice or baked chicken, letting the distinct broccoli Cheddar Ritz flavors shine.

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Inspire the Cook

Taste your cheese sauce before you pour it into the pan.

That’s the flavor you’re baking. If it’s flat, add more cheese. If it’s off, add salt. If it’s missing something you can’t put your finger on? Try a pinch of allspice or a squeeze of mustard.

Cooking isn’t just about following steps—it’s about trusting your instincts. That’s how this casserole was born, and that’s how you’ll make it yours. The broccoli Cheddar Ritz combination can be uniquely personalized.

If you love real recipes like this, from a mom who’s been cooking dinner after work for years, support the blog at Buy Me a Coffee.

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From my oven to yours,

—Camille

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