Mom’s Crockpot Broccoli Casserole is a comfort food classic. It’s creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make. You can serve it as a side dish or a main dish with rice!
This recipe serves 12 and costs $9.69. That’s just 81¢ per serving! It is a tried and true recipe that has stood the test of time as our Mom has been making it for over 30 years.
Serve it with our Instant Pot Turkey Breast, 1-Hour Dinner Rolls, and our French Bread Stuffing Recipe for the perfect holiday gathering or family dinner.
Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
Today we are sharing our Mom’s recipe with you. Jill remembers her making it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It just was not a holiday feast if the broccoli and cheese casserole was not on the table.
Mom would even make it for Dad’s work holiday potlucks. This broccoli casserole recipe is one that is super easy to make, and everyone loves.
Putting veggies, especially broccoli, into your slow cooker is GENIUS because they hold their shape so well. You can prepare this broccoli casserole in the morning, turn the crockpot on, and focus on the other things you need to do throughout the day. Doing this also gives you extra space in your oven and on your stove-top!
Here’s the best part, in addition to how easy it is to make this dish, the cleanup is even easier! Putting the foil in the slow cooker insert first makes sure the casserole doesn’t burn on the edges. But more importantly, it makes washing the crockpot a cinch.
The list of benefits for making this Cheesy Broccoli Casserole in the crockpot goes on and on. We know this will become one of your favorite recipes that you will come back to for holiday parties and weeknight meals throughout the years to come.
Can you freeze broccoli casserole after cooking?
Broccoli is one of the best vegetables to cook! Not only is it healthy, but it is also an extremely forgiving vegetable.
You can cook it in the microwave, steam it, roast it, or put it in the slow cooker. It’s super versatile. It also freezes well.
Superfood status right there. What can’t broccoli do?!
How do you reheat frozen broccoli casserole?
Remove the frozen broccoli casserole from the freezer to defrost while preheating the oven to 350 degrees. After the dish has thawed, loosely cover it with foil and bake for about 20-30 minutes.
It will take longer if the casserole is still frozen.
Can I substitute fresh broccoli for frozen in a casserole?
Absolutely! We all know fresh broccoli is delicious. You can easily substitute fresh for the frozen broccoli within this recipe.
How much will this Slow Cooker Broccoli Casserole cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $9.69
PRICE PER SERVING: $0.81
- 4 (10 oz) packages frozen broccoli – $4.00
- 2 (10 3/4 oz cans) condensed cream of celery soup – $1.52
- 2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese – $3.20
- 1/4 cup green onion – $0.25
- 1 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers – $0.72
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
How to make Slow Cooker Broccoli Casserole recipe:
STEP ONE: Make a foil collar for the crockpot and line inside of the crockpot insert.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl, add broccoli, celery soup, 2 cups of cheese, and green onions. You will then want to toss until the broccoli is coated.
STEP THREE: Pour mixture into the prepared slow cooker. Then, sprinkle top with crushed crackers and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
STEP FOUR: Cover with lid. One tip for you to help with venting while cooking is to slip a wooden toothpick between the lid and pot. Cook on low for 5 hours or High for 2 1/2 hours.
Cook’s Tools:
- slow cooker
- tin foil
- large bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring cups
The Flavor and Recipe Variations
Instead of cream of celery soup, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken.
Sometimes I like to make this recipe using half cauliflower and half broccoli.
How long is it good for:
Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave this Broccoli Casserole out for longer than 2 hours.
Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked casserole in an airtight container for 3-4 months.
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
Ages 2-3: Let them help crush the crackers and sprinkle them on top. They will love getting to crush the crackers on purpose (see the picture above)!
Ages 4-5: Have your little one help toss the ingredients together in the bowl.
Ages 6-8: Teach them how to insert the foil into the crockpot. Also, teach them how to turn on and set the crockpot. Learning this technique will help with future recipes as well.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
What to Serve with Mom’s Crockpot Broccoli Casserole:
- 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Beef Chuck Roast
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Cranberry Party Punch
- Easy Orange Cranberry Sauce
- French-Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Green Beans Almondine
- Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Naughty Mashed Potatoes
More $10 recipes:
- BBQ Chicken Braid
- Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
- Homemade Sloppy Joes
- Inside Out Chicken Pot Pie
- Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
Recipe Cost 9.69 Serving Cost 0.81Equipment
- crockpot
- tin foil
- large bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring cups
Ingredients
- 2 10.75 oz cans condensed cream of celery soup
- 2 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese divided
- ¼ cup green onion sliced thin
- 40 ozs (about 12 cups) frozen broccoli thawed
- 1 ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
- Make foil collar for crockpot by folding 2 pieces of foil to make 2 strips measuring approximately 18×14-inches each. Line inside of crockpot insert with foil strips and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl add celery soup, 2 cups of cheese, and green onions and stir until combined.
- Add broccoli and stir until the broccoli is evenly coated.
- Pour mixture into the prepared slow cooker.
- Sprinkle top with crushed crackers and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
- Cover with lid and slip a wooden toothpick between lid and pot to vent while cooking. Cook on LOW for 5 hours or HIGH for 2 1/2 hours.
wilhelmina says
This was a huge win with my family! So cheesy and delicious!
Jess Jankowski says
We are thrilled that it was a hit! Hope you will use it time and time again!
Ashley F says
This casserole is so good! Loved how easy it was to make and yes the clean up was a cinch! LOVED IT!
Jess Jankowski says
Anything to make cleanup easier, right?! So happy you enjoyed it!
Jessica says
Do you have a mailing list? I neeeed to be added!
Jess Jankowski says
Absolutely! Here is the link to sign up. Thank you so much! https://easybudgetrecipes.com/subscribe/
Jill says
I plan on using fresh broccoli. Should I steam it first before putting in the crock pot?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Jill, no need to steam it first. The crockpot creates steam and will cook it.
Lindsay says
Can I make this in a round 2-quart slow cooker? Thank you!
Jillian says
Hi Lindsay, You can, but you’ll need to halve the recipe so it will fit. Enjoy!
Trey says
Is there any downside to using a crockpot liner instead of foil?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, you can make it without the foil, the foil just makes for super easy cleanup!
Halle says
Do you know if I could bake this in the oven rather a crockpot?! If so for how long & what temp?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Halle, we have not tried it in the oven but would think you could do it on 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes but cover it in foil for half of the baking time as the topping will get too crispy otherwise. Let us know how it goes if you try it.
Christina says
Is this a recipe that I can prepare ahead and freeze it for a later day?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Christina, You can freeze the cooked casserole in an airtight container for 3-4 months.
Matt says
I’m wondering about the amount of broccoli in this recipe. 40 oz is not 12 cups. 12 cups is 96 oz, which is a lot more broccoli, unless your cup measurements are completely cooked broccoli. Just looking for clarification.
Jess Jankowski says
12 cups is an approximation for fresh broccoli. We always use the 4-10 ounce bags of frozen broccoli for this recipe. If you try it with fresh broccoli, let us know!
Liza White says
What size crock pot is this recipe good for?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Liza, we use a 6-qt crockpot. Thanks!
Ella says
Very tasty, but I don’t see the point of the crackers. They didn’t crisp up in my crockpot and you couldn’t taste them at all when mixed into the broccoli and cheese mixture. I did use a crockpot liner instead of foil, so maybe that’s why.
Beth Erickson says
Can I use mild cheddar cheese instead of sharp?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Beth, yes you can substitute the cheese. It will alter the taste slightly but you can substitute it.
Ginger says
I was thinking of adding cooked shredded chicken, is there any reason this wouldn’t work?
Jess Jankowski says
Not that I can think of. Let us know how it goes!
Melinda says
gave it a five star cuz it sounds so good, but could I use cream of chicken soup, I have it on hand.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi yes you can use that as a substitute but please note it will alter the overall taste slightly. Thanks for trying it out!
Brenda says
I haven’t made this yet, but wanted to see if you’ve dome this with rice to make it green rice casserole? if so, did you have to make adjustments?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, we have not tried that yet. Let us know if you try it!