Cracked Out Broccoli Casserole – Plain Chicken

Cracked out Broccoli Casserole – hands down the BEST broccoli casserole! Even our broccoli haters love this casserole. Broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, bacon, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Can assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. This is always a hit at our dinner table.

Broccoli Casserole with Cheddar, Bacon & Ranch

This Cracked Out Broccoli Casserole is our favorite broccoli casserole. Broccoli baked in cheddar, bacon, and ranch? Um, yes, please!  PLUS it is ready to eat in about 30 minutes. We love quick and easy side dish recipes like this. Perfect for busy weeknight meals.

How to Make Cracked Out Broccoli Casserole

This recipe is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Chop fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Stir in broccoli, cooked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Transfer mixture to a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake until warm and bubbly. Sprinkle casserole with more shredded cheese and french fried onions. Bake an additional 5 or 10 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I use fresh broccoli florets, but you could also use frozen broccoli florets. 
  • If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain before adding it to the casserole.
• If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning mix, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
• Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix
• Don’t like fried onions? You can substitute a quick cracker topping made with crushed ritz crackers and melted butter.
• Can use any flavor of condensed cream of soup that you prefer. Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery soup all work great.
• Can Broccoli Casserole be made in advance? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Can Broccoli Casserole be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

What to Serve with Broccoli

This casserole is great for a quick weeknight meal. It also makes a great addition to your holiday menu. We make this for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with roasted turkey. I never have any leftovers. Give this recipe a try ASAP. You won’t be disappointed!

Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this broccoli cheese casserole recipe:

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Cracked Out Broccoli Casserole

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

French Onion Broccoli Cheese Casserole – hands down the BEST broccoli casserole! Even our broccoli haters loved this casserole. Only 5 ingredients – broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, french onion dip, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions. Can assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. This was a HUGE hit in our house! #broccoli #casserole #sidedish #vegetable

• 1 lb broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 (10.5-oz) can Cream of Mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp ranch dressing mix
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
• 1 (6-oz) container French fried onions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

• Combine chopped broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, chopped bacon, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and ½ of the French fried onions.

• Spread broccoli mixture into prepared pan.

• Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese and onions. Bake an additional 5 minutes.

• I use fresh broccoli florets, but you could also use frozen broccoli florets. 
  • If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain before adding it to the casserole.
• If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning mix, adjust the amount to your personal preference.
• Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix
• Don’t like fried onions? You can substitute a quick cracker topping made with crushed ritz crackers and melted butter.
• Can use any flavor of condensed cream of soup that you prefer. Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of celery soup all work great.
• Can Broccoli Casserole be made in advance? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Can Broccoli Casserole be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

Steph