Description
Alton Brown’s broccoli casserole melds rich cheese and tender vegetables into a comforting side dish. Creamy textures and savory flavors make this classic recipe a reliable companion for family dinners you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups broccoli (peeled stems and heads, chopped and blanched in salted water)
- 12 oz (340 g) sliced mushrooms (sauteed in 1 tbsp/15 ml butter)
- 1 ¼ cup (296 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (118 ml) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (118 ml) plain yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 1 package chicken flavored ramen noodles (broken up)
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) blue cheese dressing
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
- 1 ½ tsp (7.5 g) fresh ground black pepper
- Flavor pack from ramen
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 7-by-7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Flavor Blend: Whisk instant noodle flavor packet, mayonnaise, yogurt, cheddar cheese, blue cheese dressing, eggs, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Texture Layer: Crush instant noodles into smaller fragments, then fold in chopped mushrooms and broccoli florets, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Mixing Technique: Gently combine wet mixture with noodle-vegetable combination, creating a uniform coating that ensures balanced flavor throughout the casserole.
- Baking Process: Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly, then cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent burning.
- Finishing Touch: Remove foil and continue baking for 15 additional minutes to develop a golden-brown crust and crispy exterior.
- Resting Period: Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 15 minutes, enabling ingredients to set and flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Texture: Break noodles into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and maintain a crisp, appetizing texture.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Gently fold cheese into the mixture to prevent clumping and create a smooth, creamy consistency throughout the casserole.
- Vegetable Prep Matters: Chop broccoli and mushrooms into similar-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes after baking, which helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 312
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1032 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 123 mg