Brenda Gantt Golden Broccoli Casserole
- Prep 15 min
- Cook 40 min
- Total 55 min
- Serves 8
- Level Easy
About Brenda Gantt’s Golden Broccoli Casserole
Brenda Gantt is a Southern home cook from Andalusia, Alabama, known for her unhurried cooking videos and her warm, unfussy approach to family recipes. Her casseroles follow a familiar pattern: a vegetable softened and folded into a creamy, savory sauce, then finished under a crisp, buttery cracker topping that bakes up golden brown.
This broccoli casserole fits right alongside her other baked vegetable sides. Broccoli holds its shape better than cabbage or squash, so the dish comes out with a bit more texture, while the cheese and cream soup keep every bite rich and comforting. The “golden” in the name comes from that deeply browned cracker crust on top, which is really the signature of this style of Southern casserole.
Dishes like this one turn up at holiday tables, church suppers, and potlucks because they travel well and feed a crowd. It’s an easy way to get a vegetable onto a Southern dinner table next to fried chicken, cornbread, and other classic sides.
Watch How It’s Made
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Brenda Gantt Golden Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Casserole
Golden Cracker Topping
Kitchen Tools Needed
- Steamer basket or large pot
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Measuring cups & spoons
Instructions
- Preheat and prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the broccoli. Steam or boil the broccoli for 3 to 5 minutes, until just tender but still bright green. Drain very well.
- Mix the filling. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, ½ cup cheddar, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar over the top.
- Add the topping. In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is set.
- Rest and serve. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Draining the broccoli well after cooking is what keeps this casserole creamy instead of watery.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 290 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sodium | 580 mg |
| Sugar | 3 g |
Nutrition values are estimates and are not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
Health Benefits of Broccoli Casserole
Rich in Vitamin C & K
Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K, which support immunity and bone health.
Fiber
Broccoli contributes fiber that supports healthy digestion, even in a creamy baked dish.
Calcium & Protein
Cheddar cheese and eggs add calcium and protein to round out the dish.
Antioxidants
Broccoli contains plant compounds, including sulforaphane, that are being studied for their antioxidant properties.
What to Avoid
Preparation Mistakes
- Don’t overcook the broccoli before baking. It should still be bright green and slightly firm; it will keep cooking in the oven.
- Don’t skip draining it well. Extra water left on the broccoli makes the casserole runny.
- Don’t skimp on the butter in the topping. Dry cracker crumbs won’t brown evenly.
Storage Mistakes
- Don’t store it while hot. Cool it fully first to prevent condensation and a soggy topping.
- Don’t freeze it with the topping on. Freeze the base without crackers and add a fresh buttered topping when reheating.
Dietary Considerations
- Contains Dairy (cheese, butter)
- Contains Egg
- Contains Gluten (crackers, soup)
- Moderate Sodium
Pro Tips for the Best Broccoli Casserole
- Cut the florets small and even so they cook at the same rate and are easy to scoop with each serving.
- Stop cooking the broccoli early. It should still be a little crisp before baking, since it softens more in the oven.
- Drain thoroughly in a colander, pressing gently, before mixing it with the sauce.
- Taste before adding extra salt. The soup, cheese, and crackers already carry a good amount of sodium.
- Let it rest 10 minutes after baking so the casserole holds together when served.
What to Serve With Golden Broccoli Casserole
Beverages
- Sweet tea
- Chardonnay
- Lemonade
Side Dishes
- Fried chicken
- Green beans
- Egg bread
- Mashed potatoes
When to Serve
- Sunday supper
- Thanksgiving
- Easter dinner
- Potlucks
Ingredient Substitutions
| Ingredient | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cream of mushroom soup | Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup | Cream of celery keeps it vegetarian-friendly. |
| Mayonnaise | Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt | Adds tang; use full-fat for the creamiest texture. |
| Cheddar cheese | Colby Jack or Monterey Jack | Milder, meltier finish. |
| Round buttery crackers | Panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes | Good crunch with less buttery flavor. |
| Fresh broccoli | Frozen broccoli, thawed and drained | Squeeze out excess water before mixing. |
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze the baked casserole without the topping for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge; the texture will soften slightly.
Reheating
Oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, adding fresh buttered cracker crumbs on top. Microwave individual servings.
Make ahead: assemble the casserole without the topping, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the topping just before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thaw it first and squeeze or drain it very well, since frozen broccoli releases more water than fresh. Two 16-ounce bags, thawed and drained, work well in place of fresh florets.
This usually means the cracker topping needs more time or more butter. Make sure the crushed crackers are fully coated in melted butter before sprinkling them on, and bake until the topping is visibly browned, which can take the full 40 minutes depending on your oven.
Yes. Assemble the casserole without the cracker topping, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the buttered topping right before baking so it stays crisp, and add a few extra minutes to the bake time if the dish goes in cold.
Not as written, because of the buttery crackers and condensed soup. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream soup, swap the crackers for crushed gluten-free crackers or buttered gluten-free breadcrumbs, and double-check that your seasonings are labeled gluten-free.
You can, though the texture softens somewhat after freezing. Freeze the baked casserole without the cracker topping for up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and add a fresh buttered topping before reheating.
The eggs help the casserole set, but you can leave them out for a softer, spoonable texture, or replace them with about 1/4 cup extra mayonnaise or sour cream for a similar binding effect.
Reader Reviews
More Brenda Gantt Recipes
- Fried ChickenA classic Southern main to serve alongside this casserole
- Green BeansAnother simple Southern vegetable side
- Fried SquashA crispy, skillet-fried vegetable side
- Fried OkraCrunchy, golden okra, Southern-style
- Egg BreadA simple homemade bread to round out the table
- Brenda Gantt’s GritsCreamy Southern grits for breakfast or dinner
- Brenda Gantt’s GoulashA hearty, comforting one-pot main dish
- Pound CakeA classic Southern breakfast treat
- Good Morning CakeA cozy cake to start the day
It’s gonna be good, y’all. Make it for your next family supper.
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