Description
This Slow Cooker Broccoli Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish featuring fresh broccoli baked in a homemade cheese sauce, topped with crispy fried onions. Perfect as a hearty side or a light main, it combines simple ingredients and the convenience of a slow cooker for an easy, hands-off meal that delivers rich flavor and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (2%)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Casserole
- 24 ounces fresh broccoli pieces (about 8 cups)
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup fried onions
Instructions
- Make the Roux: Over medium heat in a small saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste and remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Season: Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Add salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Continue stirring frequently and cook until the mixture thickens into a creamy gravy.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Pour in the fresh broccoli pieces and pour the cheese sauce over it. Stir to combine well so the broccoli is coated with the sauce.
- Cook the Broccoli: Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour or on LOW for 2 hours. Stir the casserole, replace the lid, and cook an additional 30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Once the broccoli is soft, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top, stir to incorporate it, and then top the surface with the fried onions.
- Final Melt: Cook the casserole uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the fried onions are slightly crisped.
Notes
- Try mixing in Parmesan with shredded mild cheddar for extra flavor depth.
- For variety, use sharp, white, or aged cheddar to balance creaminess.
- Fried onions add crunch, but crushed Ritz crackers make a great alternative topping.
- Frozen broccoli can be used – just thaw and drain well before adding.
- Substitute half the broccoli with cauliflower for a tasty variation.
- Canned cream soups such as cream of chicken, celery, mushroom, or broccoli can replace the homemade sauce.
- A homemade cream of chicken soup substitute offers a fresher flavor.
- Slow cookers vary widely; monitor the casserole to avoid burning and adjust cook times accordingly.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Cooking times given are recommendations; test and adjust based on your slow cooker’s performance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
