Light & Tasty Broccoli Casserole brings all your favorite flavors from one of your go-to bakes… minus all the guilt! Fresh broccoli florets are combined with a creamy and cheesy sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. A crunchy topping of whole wheat breadcrumbs and melty parmesan cheese adds texture and flavor to this comfort food classic. With just a fraction of the calories and fat of traditional broccoli casserole, this Light & Tasty Broccoli Casserole is sure to become a new favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into pieces
- 2 pounds broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded, divided
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Step 2 –Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 3 –Place the bread pieces in a food processor and process until coarse crumbs form.
Step 4 –Spread the breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet and bake until they are dry and crispy, about 10 minutes.
Step 5 –In a large pot fitted with a steamer basket, add 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
Step 6 –Add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket and steam until they are just tender, about 4-6 minutes.
Step 7 –Chop the steamed broccoli coarsely and spread it evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 8 –Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Step 9 –In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Step 10 –Add the onion and the garlic to the saucepan and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 11 –Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook for 1 minute.
Step 12 –Slowly pour the chicken broth into the onion mixture, stirring continuously, and cook until it thickens, about 3 minutes.
Step 13 –Add the cream cheese, the Worcestershire, the pepper, and the salt to the broth mixture and cook, stirring continuously, until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Step 14 –Transfer the cream cheese mixture from the heat and add 1 1/2 cups of the cheese to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine.
Step 15 –Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli.
Step 16 –In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the remaining butter until melted.
Step 17 –In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and the breadcrumbs.
Step 18 –Spread the breadcrumbs mixture evenly over the broccoli mixture and top with the remaining cheese.
Step 19 –Bake the casserole until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 20 –Serve.