Mom’s Crockpot Broccoli Casserole is a comfort food classic. It’s creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make. This is a tried-and-true recipe that has stood the test of time, as my Mom has been making it for over thirty years!
This recipe serves 12 and costs around $12.16. That’s just about $1.01 per serving!
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Easy Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
If you’re in need of a super easy and comforting dish to feed the whole family, this Crockpot broccoli casserole is it! I love how hands-off this recipe is: mix everything together, pop it in the slow cooker, and let it work its magic.
Putting veggies, especially broccoli, into your slow cooker is GENIUS because they hold their shape 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 stovetop!
This dish is easy to make and even easier to clean! Putting the foil in the slow cooker insert first ensures the casserole doesn’t burn on the edges, which makes washing the crockpot a cinch. This recipe is a keeper!
What I Love About This Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
- Feeds a Crowd: This dish is perfect as a side dish for potlucks, holidays, or a busy weeknight dinner served as the main dish over some rice.
- Budget-Friendly: My recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients, so you will not break the bank making it.
- Minimal Prep: With just a few steps to follow, this hands-off recipe comes together in about ten minutes.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 4 (10 oz) packages frozen broccoli – $4.84
- 2 (10 3/4 oz cans) condensed cream of celery soup – $2.50
- 2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese – $3.12
- 1/4 cup green onion – $0.50
- 1 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers – $1.12
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed and will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. To learn more about how I price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in September 2024.
How To Make Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
- Make a foil collar for the crockpot and line it inside the crockpot insert.
- Add broccoli, celery soup, 2 cups of cheese, and green onions in a large bowl. Toss until the broccoli is coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared slow cooker. Then, sprinkle the top with crushed crackers and 1/2 cup of remaining cheese.
- Cover with lid and cook on low for 5 hours or High for 2 1/2 hours.
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Tip
When you cover the slow cooker with the lid, insert a wooden toothpick between the lid and the pot to create a small vent for steam to escape while cooking. This helps keep the casserole from becoming too watery and keeps the cracker topping’s yummy crunch.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- tin foil
- large bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring cups
Recipe FAQs
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.
Do you put frozen broccoli in the crockpot or are you supposed to thaw it first?
You will want to thaw the broccoli first before adding it to the crockpot.
What size crockpot is this recipe good for?
I use a 6-qt crockpot for this recipe.
Can I make this in a round 2-quart slow cooker?
You can, but you’ll need to halve the recipe so it will fit. Cooking time will remain the same.
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.
Storage Tips
SERVE: As with most recipes containing dairy products, this Broccoli Casserole should be served within 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.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of cream of celery soup, you can use cream of mushroom or chicken.
- Sometimes, I like to make this recipe using half cauliflower and half broccoli.
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!
More from Easy Budget Recipes
Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
Recipe Cost 12.16 Serving Cost 1.01Equipment
- 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.
Judith says
Can you eliminat lining the slow cooker with foil?
Jess Jankowski says
Yes you can. It mostly helps with making cleanup super easy but doesn’t affect the overall cooking process.
Ruth says
does the cooking time change for fresh broccoli?
Jess Jankowski says
no, it will stay the same.
Monica Lake says
If I use fresh broccoli, do I cook the broccoli first?
Jess Jankowski says
No, do not cook the broccoli first.
Sharon says
Can you omit the crackers
Jess Jankowski says
Yes
Lauren Berry says
Will this work with fresh broccoli?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, yes you can substitute fresh broccoli for the frozen.
Deb Micolichek says
I am making this for the first time and have never done a foil collar in the crock pot. Makes sense, though so the food doesn’t burn. Can you use a crock pot liner (like the Reynolds brand or similar) or is it best to use foil?
Jess Jankowski says
You can use either.
Amanda says
This Broccoli Casserole recipe is a lifesaver. Quick, easy, and incredibly tasty.
Amanda says
It’s hard to believe this Broccoli Casserole, something this good, came from my kitchen.
Lisa Neims says
do you put frozen broccoli in the crockpot or are you supposed to thaw it first?
Jess Jankowski says
Hi, you will want to thaw the broccoli first. Thanks!