Ingredients
Broccoli
- 1½ pounds broccoli florets
Cheese Sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature, cut in cubes)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Optional Garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease a 2.5 to 3 quart baking dish with butter and set it aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Cook the broccoli. In a large skillet, bring about ½ inch of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets, cover, and cook over high heat until they are crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transfer the broccoli to the prepared baking dish; set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the cream cheese along with the heavy cream first. Whisk continuously until smooth. Then stir in the sour cream, shredded cheddar, and grated parmesan cheeses until fully melted and well combined. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring to incorporate all the flavors evenly.
- Combine and bake. Pour the warm cheese sauce over the broccoli in the baking dish. Stir gently to coat the broccoli evenly with the sauce. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly, set, and has a lightly browned top.
- Finish and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes to set further. Optionally, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes on top for a touch of heat before serving warm.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute reduced-fat cream cheese and cheeses.
- Make sure to drain broccoli well to avoid a watery casserole.
- Feel free to add cooked bacon or sautéed onions for extra flavor.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
