Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables there is. Filled with fiber, vitamins, and protein (yes, 3 grams per 100-gram serving!) this cruciferous vegetable is a real star. It is easy to cook and delicious simply blanched and seasoned with salt, but our crock pot recipe takes it to a more indulgent and creamy level by adding condensed soup, cheese, and some simple seasonings.
A buttery cracker crumble makes up the tasty topping for this broccoli casserole, but extra cheese on top right before it's done is also a great addition to the dish. You might not think to use the slow cooker for vegetables, but broccoli holds its shape fairly well and the result is a marvelous side dish with all the beneficial nutrients and some added decadence. If your slow cooker is particularly hot, cook the casserole on low or check the broccoli after about an hour.
Ingredients
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24 ounces frozen broccoli, partially thawed and broken up
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1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of broccoli, or cream of celery soup
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1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
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1/4 cup finely chopped onion
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1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 cup cracker crumbs, such as Townhouse, or Saltines
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Partially thaw the frozen broccoli under cold running water or steam for a minute or two in the microwave or on the stovetop in a few tablespoons of water.
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Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or grease it with butter or margarine.
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In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, condensed soup, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and pour the mixture into the greased slow cooker.
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In a small bowl, toss the cracker crumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle over the broccoli mixture.
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Cover the pot and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, or until the broccoli is tender. Check 1 hour in the cooking process—if the sides are burning too fast, lower the temperature.
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Around 10 minutes before the cooking time is over, sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese and cover to let the cheese melt. If needed, give it 5 to 7 more minutes.
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Enjoy!
Not Just Broccoli
If you have at hand those bags of frozen vegetable medleys instead of just broccoli, they can make a great casserole. Here are other ideas:
- Use a combination of broccoli and cauliflower in the casserole.
- Add frozen, partially thawed sliced carrots to the broccoli mixture.
- Replace the cracker crumbs with fine dry breadcrumbs, Ritz cracker crumbs, or mild cheese cracker crumbs.
- Add 1 cup of frozen, partially thawed peas and carrots to the broccoli mixture.
- Add 1 cup of peeled and cubed potatoes to the broccoli mixture.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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195 | Calories |
13g | Fat |
13g | Carbs |
9g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 6 to 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 195 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 13g | 17% |
Saturated Fat 7g | 33% |
Cholesterol 31mg | 10% |
Sodium 323mg | 14% |
Total Carbohydrate 13g | 5% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% |
Total Sugars 3g | |
Protein 9g | |
Vitamin C 35mg | 174% |
Calcium 217mg | 17% |
Iron 1mg | 5% |
Potassium 207mg | 4% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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