This Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole is a family favorite that’s always a winner for the holidays. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy and it’s so, so easy!
Updated: This post was first published here in November 2019. I decided it was worthy of a re-share because it’s a holiday favorite. I’ve added new content and notes to the post below.
Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole
Hey there friends! Are y’all ready for Easter Sunday? Hope your plans are going swimmingly!
If you happen to be looking for one last side for your holiday dinner this Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole is it! It’s gotten great reviews here on the blog, so I thought I’d re-share and refresh your memory.
Today, I’m not only excited to share your new favorite holiday side dish, this Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole, but I’m also sharing some beautiful baking dishes and food storage containers from my friends at Ello (click) Products.
Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole Ingredients
- broccoli florets
- butter
- garlic
- all-purpose flour
- salt and pepper
- half and half
- white cheddar cheese
- yellow cheddar cheese
- eggs
- crispy fried onions
It’s one of the easiest casseroles to whip up. Just check out the recipe video below ↓ and see for yourself. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients and less than an hour to prep and bake it.
A delicious combination of blanched broccoli, a creamy base made of butter, garlic, flour and half and half, a few eggs, two kinds of shredded cheddar and some store-bought crispy fried onions and you’ve got a side dish that everyone will want the recipe for. Guaranteed.
Today’s casserole was made In Ello’s Duraglass 9×13 baking dish. The 9×13 dish is part of Ello’s Bake and Store Set. Their Duraglass Bakeware (click) is portable and perfect for potlucks, meal prep and leftovers.
I’ll also be making my Creamed Spinach and Mushrooms in Ello’s 8×8 baking dish this Easter. To make life easier, I’ll make it the night before and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to bake it.
Additional Features of Ello’s Duraglass Bakeware
Each container features a clear Tritan lid that’s tight and leak-proof. That means your dishes stay fresh longer and that they’re perfect for on-the-go, especially for the busy holiday season ahead.
Another great feature is the durable silicone sleeve that acts as a built-in trivet and protects the dish from breaking and scratching. It can go from freezer to oven to table too, with no need to remove the silicone sleeve. And all parts are dishwasher safe and BPA free.
I hope you guys give this yummy Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole a try and that it becomes a staple on your holiday table just like ours!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole Recipe:
I use store-bought crispy fried onions. If you use French’s, I would chop them into smaller pieces. If you use Lars Own, they already come chopped in smaller pieces, so just use them as is.
I like to use a combination of white and yellow cheddar cheeses, but if you prefer, you can just use one or the other.
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Enjoy
Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole Video
Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 10 cups broccoli florets, about 2 lbs.
- 5 Tbsp. butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp, salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
- 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray the Ello Products 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add a tablespoon of salt. Add broccoli florets and cook for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl filled with ice water. Remove the florets after 30 seconds and strain in a colander.
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly. Slowly add the half and half and then the salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often until mixture begins to thicken, about 7-8 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the two cheeses. Remove the pot from the heat. Add 1 1/4 cups of the cheeses to the mixture in the pot. Stir until the cheese is melted. Add the broccoli, eggs and one cup of the crispy onions to the pot and stir until well combined. Pour mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese and 1/2 cup crispy onions. Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and serve.
Just pass a fork – I want to tuck right in! This looks totally scrumptious :) My kind of dish – veggie and cheese! Yum!
It’s so delish Alex! And incredibly easy for the holidays!
I’m all about casseroles topped with fried onions–those things are addictive! I’m adding this one to my Thanksgiving lineup because broccoli casserole is pretty hard to beat!
Yes, I totally agree Kelsie!
This is such a delicious side dish! I love all the broccoli and cheese and that crispy topping! I’ll be making this all year long, not just during the holidays!
We enjoy it all year long Kathy! My husband LOVES those crispy onions!
How awesome are those containers? Love the colours! This is definitely the kinda side dish hubby and I (and our whole family) would love! Those crispy fried onions on top are just delish too! Pinned :)
They’re great Dawn! Fun and so versatile! Bet you’d really enjoy this casserole too!
Those baking dishes are perfect Mary Ann! Love that the silicone sleeve can go from freezer to oven to table. Brilliant! And this broccoli casserole is equally as brilliant. My family would love this!
Thanks Leanne! These are top quality containers from Ello! Hope you check them out!
It’s hard to beat broccoli and cheese for a holiday casserole. It’s one that everyone loves, for sure :) Love the onions on top, too :)
Thanks Jennifer! It’s a family fave!
Broccoli casserole is literally a staple at our house during the holiday season! Who doesn’t love the combo of cheese and broccoli!? I love those cute Ello casserole dishes as well! Love those! This looks amazing, Mary Ann!
Thanks so much Haylie! Such quality products! I’m so excited to share them and this casserole. A staple at our house too!
We need to add this Broccoli Casserole to our Thanksgiving feast. My family would love it! And I need to check out those baking dishes, they look amazing!
They’re so fabulous Marissa! And so is this casserole. It’s a family favorite!
My absolute favorite dishes at Thanksgiving are stuffing and broccoli casserole (even over the turkey)!!! Needless to say, I am over here drooling over this!!!! I always make my mother’s recipe, but to be honest, it just doesn’t taste the same without her loving touch, so I’ve been searching for a new broccoli casserole to make and this is it!!!!! I’m so so excited to make this, Mare!!!! Pinned!!
P.s. How cute and convenient are those portable baking dishes!! They are brilliant, especially for the holidays!!
Oh I hope you give it a try Chey! It’s so delicious. Tom loves those crispy onions! Ello’s baking dishes are da bomb too! Such quality products! Thanks so much for pinning my friend! XO
LOVE this Easy Holiday Broccoli Casserole!!! Looks delicious!!! and love those containers!!
Thanks so much Alice!
I love this casserole, Mary Ann! I mean, broccoli and cheese – what could be better, unless it’s all tucked into a nice casserole topped with fried onions. I’m totally in! Love it!
Glad you’re in Laura! It’s so easy and so tasty. And Ello’s baking dishes make taking them to gatherings this holiday season a total breeze!
Broccoli casserole for Thanksgiving is a must – especially when crispy-fried onions get involved! Loving these baking dishes!
Thanks Annie! They’re awesome! And yes, you can’t beat a broccoli casserole for the holidays, especially with crispy onions!
I have serious baking dish envy!! I love these, Mary Ann!! My Mom used to make a casserole similar to this and we all loved it. Can’t wait to try your version!! Some serious comfort food there!!
These dishes by Ello are beautiful Katherine! Hope you give this comfort food side a try!
I don’t know what I am more excited about, this casserole or this bakeware? I think I need both in my life!
Yes you do Leigh Ann!
What a fantastic addition to the Thanksgiving menu line up! Cheese and crispy fried onions to top it off! Delicious!
It’s sooooo good Kevin! And always disappears quickly!
There is something that I do not understand : what 2.1/2 cups half and half and where is the milk.
And thank you for your understanding
There is no milk in the recipe. Just 2 1/2 cups half and half.
Love that you use a combination of white and yellow cheddar cheeses!! This broccoli casserole is a must for the holiday table!
Thanks Lindsay! Can’t do a holiday without it at our house!
If I had to choose one dish to live on for the rest of my life, this would be it!
YAY!! Bet you’d really love it Matt!
Mary Ann, what a fantastic side dish! My family would devour it! So yummy and creamy and cheesy! Love the Ello baking dishes. An airtight cover is a must and the silicone sleeve is brilliant! I once put a glass baking dish straight to the oven from the freezer and it immediately shattered. The silicone sleeve would prevent that perfectly!
These are just beautiful dishes Kelly! And the casserole is a holiday must at our house!
So, sorry but in France I do not know the half and half ?
Can you describe me ? Thank you very much
If you have heavy whipping cream for each cup of half and half you can substitute 3/4 whole milk plus 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream.
I adore this amazing side dish. This broccoli casserole has quickly become a staple in our home. This is something my family could never get bored of. I can’t believe there are people on the earth who can resist the combo of cheese and broccoli. I could make this dish all year long. I especially like that it’s one of the easiest casseroles to whip up. Highly recommend everyone to give the recipe a try. Believe me, the taste is just phenomenal.
Mary Ann, thank you so much for sharing this awesome idea. Look forward to your new recipes. Keep it up! I’m your fan!
p.s. I LOVE the photos you take.
I’m so excited you enjoyed this casserole Ann! And thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment! You’ve made my night! So happy you enjoy my photos too. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi, this recipe sounds amazing. Just a quick question. Does it matter if you use frozen broccoli or fresh broccoli?
Thanks,
Donna
Hi Donna. You can use frozen broccoli, but I would cook it in the microwave for about half the time indicated on the package, just so it’s still a bit crisp, because it will cook more in the oven as it bakes. After you microwave it, drain it in a colander to get rid of the excess water. Enjoy!
this looks great! my husband refuses to eat eggs though! any ideas for a substitute? :(
Hi Jordyn. I have only made this recipe with the eggs, but I have seen broccoli casseroles without the eggs altogether. It won’t puff up. It’ll be more of a creamed broccoli without them, but you could give it a try! Let me know.
This recipe looks amazing! Am I able to make this a day ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it ahead of time and then just bake the day of. Enjoy!
Can I use coconut milk instead of half and half?
Hi Heidi. I have never tried that, so I’m not quite sure. If you do though, please let me know if it worked out well. Thanks!
After Easter breakfast, we tend to have vegetables main dish and it seems we got our new favourite! Happy Easter!
Same to you Davorka! Thanks!
I nuke broccoli for consistent, perfect cooking. Usually for about 1 1/2-2 minutes with some water and soy sauce. Could I just do that instead of blanching, chilling, drying, or would it be overdone?
I think 1 1/2-2 minutes would be fine Brooke. Enjoy!
Can you make this the night before?
Yes you can Debbie. Enjoy!
Should it be baked covered or uncovered?
Thanks!
Hi Kayla. It will be baked uncovered. Enjoy!
Hi! I tried looking through comments but couldn’t find. Is this a dish you can make the night before? Maybe have everything prepared in dish and then bake the day of? We have a lot of traveling to do the day of thanksgiving and I’m not sure how much time I’ll have the day of! Thank you!!
Hi Jenny. Yes, you can make this casserole the night before. Just cover tightly with foil and place in the fridge. The day you’re ready to bake, remove the casserole from the fridge and let stand at room temp for about 30 minutes before placing in the oven. Also wait to sprinkle with the extra French fried onion topping until you’re ready to bake. Enjoy!
This looks absolutely amazing and I love any dish with broccoli. Can’t wait to make this for Thanksgiving! I’m sure my family will love it!
Hope you enjoy it Debbie! Happy Holidays!
I did not find this easy. It took me ages to prep everything and I also tried to make my own crispy onions. The good news is that people at the pot luck liked it and there was only a little bit left. I will try it again and will buy the crispy onions!
Oh no Heather. Next time just use the store-bought French fried onions I recommend in the post. And you can even buy the broccoli already cut into the florets. It saves so much time. Glad everyone enjoyed it though! Happy Holidays!
How do you prevent the eggs from cooking in the hot cheese mixture?
Hi Jacklyn. You’ll be removing the pot from the heat and stirring in the cheese which cools it down some before adding the broccoli and the eggs. All good. Enjoy!
This looks yummy! Do you whisk the eggs first and then put them in raw?
Yes Jen. Enjoy!