Name: French Onion Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
Ingredients: 1 lb Broccoli Florets, Chopped: The star of the show, broccoli florets bring a healthy and slightly earthy base to the casserole. Fresh broccoli is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture. When choosing your broccoli, look for firm, tightly closed florets that are a vibrant green color. Avoid broccoli that is yellowing or has open, flowering florets, as this can indicate it’s past its prime. Chopping the florets into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes it easier to incorporate into the casserole. You can also use frozen broccoli florets in a pinch, just be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess water before using them.; 1 (10.5-oz) Can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the creamy backbone of the casserole, providing moisture and a savory, umami-rich flavor that complements the broccoli and cheese perfectly. Using unsalted cream of mushroom soup is important as the French onion dip and cheddar cheese already contribute a significant amount of salt. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. If you prefer a richer mushroom flavor, you can opt for “Condensed Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic” or even “Golden Mushroom Soup” for a slightly different flavor profile. For those who are not fans of mushroom soup, you can substitute with cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup, though the flavor will be slightly altered.; 1 cup Refrigerated Sour Cream Based French Onion Dip: This is the secret ingredient that elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary! French onion dip adds a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor dimension that is simply irresistible. The sour cream base contributes to the overall creaminess of the casserole. Make sure you use a refrigerated sour cream based French onion dip for the best flavor and consistency. Jarred French onion dips are generally not recommended as they tend to be thinner and less flavorful. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try making your own French onion dip from scratch for an even more homemade touch.; 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheese is essential in any good casserole, and cheddar cheese is a classic choice that pairs beautifully with broccoli and French onion. The sharpness of cheddar cheese cuts through the richness of the soup and dip, adding a delightful cheesy flavor that everyone loves. Using freshly grated cheddar cheese is always preferred over pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose to prevent clumping, which can hinder melting and affect the overall texture. For a bolder flavor, you can use sharp cheddar cheese. For a milder flavor, you can use mild or medium cheddar. You can also experiment with different types of cheese like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a blend of cheddar and Gruyere for a more sophisticated flavor.; 1 (6-oz) Container French Fried Onions: These crispy onions are the perfect topping, adding a satisfying crunch and a burst of onion flavor that complements all the other ingredients. French fried onions not only add texture but also enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole. Look for a good quality brand of French fried onions that are crispy and golden brown. You’ll use half of the container mixed into the casserole and the other half as a topping. If you want to make your own crispy onion topping, you can thinly slice onions, toss them in flour and spices, and fry them until golden brown and crispy. This will add an extra homemade touch to your casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Broccoli Florets, Chopped: The star of the show, broccoli florets bring a healthy and slightly earthy base to the casserole. Fresh broccoli is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture. When choosing your broccoli, look for firm, tightly closed florets that are a vibrant green color. Avoid broccoli that is yellowing or has open, flowering florets, as this can indicate it’s past its prime. Chopping the florets into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes it easier to incorporate into the casserole. You can also use frozen broccoli florets in a pinch, just be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess water before using them.

1 (10.5-oz) Can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the creamy backbone of the casserole, providing moisture and a savory, umami-rich flavor that complements the broccoli and cheese perfectly. Using unsalted cream of mushroom soup is important as the French onion dip and cheddar cheese already contribute a significant amount of salt. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. If you prefer a richer mushroom flavor, you can opt for “Condensed Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic” or even “Golden Mushroom Soup” for a slightly different flavor profile. For those who are not fans of mushroom soup, you can substitute with cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup, though the flavor will be slightly altered.

1 cup Refrigerated Sour Cream Based French Onion Dip: This is the secret ingredient that elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary! French onion dip adds a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor dimension that is simply irresistible. The sour cream base contributes to the overall creaminess of the casserole. Make sure you use a refrigerated sour cream based French onion dip for the best flavor and consistency. Jarred French onion dips are generally not recommended as they tend to be thinner and less flavorful. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try making your own French onion dip from scratch for an even more homemade touch.

1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheese is essential in any good casserole, and cheddar cheese is a classic choice that pairs beautifully with broccoli and French onion. The sharpness of cheddar cheese cuts through the richness of the soup and dip, adding a delightful cheesy flavor that everyone loves. Using freshly grated cheddar cheese is always preferred over pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose to prevent clumping, which can hinder melting and affect the overall texture. For a bolder flavor, you can use sharp cheddar cheese. For a milder flavor, you can use mild or medium cheddar. You can also experiment with different types of cheese like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a blend of cheddar and Gruyere for a more sophisticated flavor.

1 (6-oz) Container French Fried Onions: These crispy onions are the perfect topping, adding a satisfying crunch and a burst of onion flavor that complements all the other ingredients. French fried onions not only add texture but also enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole. Look for a good quality brand of French fried onions that are crispy and golden brown. You’ll use half of the container mixed into the casserole and the other half as a topping. If you want to make your own crispy onion topping, you can thinly slice onions, toss them in flour and spices, and fry them until golden brown and crispy. This will add an extra homemade touch to your casserole.

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Instructions

Preheat Oven to 350ºF (175ºC). The first step is to preheat your oven. Setting the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and the cheese melts beautifully without burning. Make sure your oven is properly preheated before you put the casserole in to bake. This is crucial for achieving the desired texture and cooking time.

Lightly Spray a 9×9-inch Baking Dish with Cooking Spray. Greasing the baking dish with cooking spray is essential to prevent the casserole from sticking to the bottom and sides. This makes serving and cleaning up much easier. A 9×9-inch baking dish is the perfect size for this recipe, ensuring that the casserole is cooked to the right thickness and cooks evenly. If you don’t have cooking spray, you can also grease the dish with butter or oil.

Combine Chopped Broccoli, Cream of Mushroom Soup, French Onion Dip, 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese and ½ of the French Fried Onions in a Large Mixing Bowl. Now it’s time to bring all the ingredients together. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli florets, cream of mushroom soup, French onion dip, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the French fried onions. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently mix all the ingredients until they are well combined and the broccoli is evenly coated in the creamy mixture. Make sure to distribute the ingredients evenly to ensure a consistent flavor and texture throughout the casserole.

Spread Broccoli Mixture into Prepared Pan. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, carefully transfer the broccoli mixture into the prepared 9×9-inch baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish. This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and all parts of the broccoli are heated through. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth out the top of the mixture for a more even appearance.

Bake for 25 minutes. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Baking for this initial period allows the broccoli to soften slightly and the flavors to meld together beautifully. The casserole will start to bubble around the edges and the cheese will begin to melt. Keep an eye on the casserole while it’s baking to ensure it doesn’t brown too quickly.

Remove from Oven, Top with Remaining Cheese and Onions. After 25 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining half of the French fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole. Adding the remaining cheese and onions at this stage prevents them from burning during the final baking period and ensures that the topping is perfectly melted and crispy.

Bake an Additional 5 minutes. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the French fried onions are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on the casserole during this final baking time to prevent the onions from burning. The casserole is ready when the cheese is melted and slightly browned and the French fried onions are crispy and golden brown.

Let Cool Slightly Before Serving. Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set up a bit and makes it easier to serve. The casserole is best served warm and is delicious as a side dish or even as a light vegetarian main course.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 350-400
Fat: 25-30g
Carbohydrates: 15-20g
Fiber: 3-4g
Protein: 15-20g