If I think of meals that are comforting, the first thing which recalls is my own homemade Broccoli Casserole Recipe. The dish holds a special place in my kitchen as it evokes memories of families gatherings at which everyone would gather for a cozy and delicious food. My mother would cook the broccoli casserole soup during the holiday season. It was a signature meal. The creamy soup base, laced with tender broccoli, and then topped with a golden, crunchy layer of pistachios that made each bite enjoyable.

In the present, I’m making this dish to serve my family and friends, and my child is often with me, assisting me to stir the soup. This has become a ritual I treasure deeply and which adds to the warm and comfort in our home. The Broccoli Casserole Soup kind of way combines the deliciousness of soup that is hearty and the delicious consistency of a traditional casserole which makes it the ultimate comfort food.
Table of Contents
The Essential Ingredients for Broccoli Casserole Soup

Broccoli Casserole Recipe – Soup: A Heartwarming Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets or frozen
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers such as Ritz
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Stir until smooth.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and milk (or chicken broth) until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy.
- Blanch fresh broccoli florets in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain and add to the soup mixture.
- Stir the broccoli into the soup base, ensuring the broccoli is coated well.
- Transfer the soup mixture to a casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Making the Broccoli Casserole Soup
Preparing the Soup Base
After you have the ingredients prepared, the initial stage in making your Broccoli Casserole Soup is to prepare your soup’s base. The first step is to melt butter inside a big saucepan on medium-high temperature. Incorporate chopped onions. Cook until the onions turn translucent, that usually takes about 3 minutes. After that, add the garlic and let it simmer for a further few minutes to release the fragrant oils.
The next step is to incorporate the creamy ingredients, such as cream of mushroom soup, and the sour cream. Combine these ingredients to create a smooth and velvety base. For a casserole that is more luscious, add the cheddar cheese that you have shredded. The cheese melts into the base creating a creamy, delicious. The flavor truly begins to develop!
In order to add seasoning, mix salt, pepper and garlic powder as desired. After your base has been prepared you can add a little broth or milk to thin the soup a bit. This will help you achieve the perfect texture, which is thick enough to coat with broccoli yet not too heavy that it’s difficult to stir.
Cooking the Broccoli
As the soup is simmering, you can prepare while the soup is simmering, cook broccoli. If you’re making use of freshly-picked broccoli cut the pieces into bite-sized pieces. Cook them in boiling water for around 2 minutes only enough to allow them to soften slightly, while maintaining their gorgeous green hue. After that, rinse the broccoli and then add it to the soup mix.
Make sure to stir everything well and ensure that it is broccoli is coated well with the soup. Let it simmer for another few moments to soak up all the flavor before placing it in an oven-ready casserole dish. In this point you’ll be able to smell the warmth and comfort being created.
Topping and Baking the Broccoli Casserole Soup
Creating the Crunchy Topping
A Broccoli Casserole Soup isn’t incomplete without the signature topping! For that golden, crispy finish, you’ll require the mixture of breadcrumbs and cracked crackers (like Ritz crackers). They provide the ideal contrast with the smooth consistency of soup base.
In a small bowl mix your breadcrumbs or crackers and a little melting butter. Make sure to mix it thoroughly so that each crumb gets covered. After that, sprinkle the mixture liberally on top of broccoli casserole. broccoli dish inside the dish for baking. The butter helps it cook evenly during baking, resulting in an amazing, crisp coating that is absolutely delicious.
To add a touch of flavor for a unique flavor, add a little more cheese shredded on the top prior to baking. When the casserole is baked and the cheese melts, it will mix and blend with the crunchy topping, adding the taste and the texture.
Baking and Serving
It’s now time for you to cook your Broccoli Casserole Soup! Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F (175degC). Put the casserole dish into the oven, and bake for 25-30 mins, or until the surface has turned golden and the soup starts bubbling on the edges. Make sure you keep an eye toward the end of baking, because you do not want the topping to catch fire.
When the casserole is done, remove it dish from oven. Then allow it to sit for about a minute before serving. The thick, creamy soup, the tender broccoli as well as the crispy top is the ideal combination. Serve it along with your favorite food item or alone for a warm dinner.
Tips and Variations for Your Broccoli Casserole Soup
Making It Vegetarian or Vegan
One of the most appealing aspects of the Broccoli Casserole Soup is its flexibility. If you’re searching for an alternative that is vegetarian that’s not too difficult to substitute the soup’s cream in a more vegetarian option. There are many soups made from plants accessible that taste just as delicious and comforting.
If you want to make this vegan you can use a plant-based soup (like vegan soup made of mushrooms) and substitute dairy cheese with vegan cheese and substitute the sour cream by an alternative made of non-dairy ingredients. It’s just as rich and delicious, with all the wonderful flavors you’ve come to love.
Adding Protein or More Vegetables
Even though the stew of broccoli is loaded with nutrition, you could quickly add protein and make it even more nutritious. Shredded chicken, or cooked ground turkey are fantastic alternatives that go well with the rich base and broccoli. You could also add bacon cooked to add a savory flavor.
If you love the idea of being ingenuous, consider adding additional vegetables to the mix. The cauliflower, carrots as well as sweet potatoes may be incorporated to add taste and texture. Chop them into small pieces and then cook them together with broccoli.
Conclusion
Broccoli Casserole Soup is the ideal comfort food to enjoy at anytime of the year. The soup’s rich and creamy base with delicate broccoli as well as a crisp topping creates a delicious dish the whole family will appreciate. If you decide to keep it traditional or make your own exciting variations, this recipe is guaranteed to provide warmth and happiness to the dining table. Get your ingredients ready, pull up your sleeves and begin cooking – it’s time to cook the perfect broccoli soup that everybody will want!
FAQ
What’s in Paula Deen’s Broccoli Casserole?
Paula’s broccoli dish is a well-known Southern recipe that usually includes broccoli eggs and cheese. It also includes mayonnaise, cheese and breadcrumbs, or crackers. The casserole is cooked to perfection and golden with a creamy and cheesy base. This is a popular dish for celebrations during the holidays!
Do you need to cook your broccoli prior to putting it into a casserole?
Even though you don’t need to cook all your broccoli prior to adding it into the casserole, it is recommended that it be blanched or steam for a couple of minutes in order to allow it to soften. This will ensure it that your broccoli cooks evenly over the baking process of the casserole.
Why does it get the name an John Wayne dish?
It’s a John Wayne casserole is named for the actor who played John Wayne and is an extremely popular American recipe. It is made of the layers of cheese, ground beef and tortillas. They’re cooked together to make an incredibly filling and delicious dinner. The origins of the dish’s name is not clear yet it’s an incredibly comforting casserole that is reminiscent of Tex-Mex.
What do you include in a casserole?
A typical broccoli dish usually contains broccoli as well as a soupy base (often cream of cheese or mushrooms soup) as well as sour cream shredded cheese, the crunchy topping of breadcrumbs or crackers. There is also onions, garlic as well as seasonings to enhance the flavor.