Broccoli casserole comes in two camps: a can of cream of mushroom soup, or a sauce you make yourself. We read three recipes that split the difference, and they disagree on oven heat, bake time and even the size of the dish. Here’s how they compare, and which broccoli problems each one handles.
We haven’t made any of these, so every amount belongs to the recipe it’s credited to. Where the sources disagree, we say so!
How do the three broccoli casserole recipes compare?
They agree on the basics: broccoli, cheddar, something creamy and a cracker topping. They split on the sauce and everything else. Skinnytaste (updated November 2025) skips the can. Lil’ Luna (updated November 2024) and The Slow Roasted Italian (published April 2026, first posted October 2021) both use it.
| Skinnytaste | Lil’ Luna | Slow Roasted Italian | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sauce | Homemade mushroom sauce with flour, broth and milk | 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup | 1 can (10.6 oz) cream of mushroom soup, straight from the can |
| Broccoli | 20 oz florets, or two 10 oz packages frozen chopped | Three 10 oz packages frozen chopped | 6 cups florets, fresh or frozen |
| Creamy extras | ⅔ cup light sour cream, ¼ cup mayo | ½ cup mayo, ½ cup sour cream | ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup heavy cream |
| Cheddar | 1½ cups | 12 oz | 2½ cups |
| Eggs | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Topping | 22 crushed buttery crackers, sprayed with oil | 20 crushed Ritz and 2 tbsp butter | 1 sleeve crushed Ritz and 6 tbsp butter |
| Oven | 350°F, 25 to 35 minutes | 350°F, 45 to 50 minutes | 375°F, 30 to 35 minutes |
| Dish and serves | 13 by 9 inch, serves 10 | 9 by 13 inch, serves 10 | 9 by 9 inch, serves 4 to 6 |
Look at the dish row before you pick one, since you’ll need the right pan. Lil’ Luna and Skinnytaste both fill a big pan and serve ten, while The Slow Roasted Italian is a small-batch recipe. The Daily Meal’s older version (2020) is smaller still, with a 10 oz package of frozen broccoli serving eight.
Which broccoli casserole should you make?
It depends on what you’d rather skip. The homemade sauce adds a pan and a few minutes, and the canned versions go together in one bowl. Skinnytaste says its sauce takes about 3 to 4 minutes to thicken once the mushrooms are cooked.
- No canned soup: Skinnytaste. It lists 197 calories a serving.
- Fewest steps for a crowd: Lil’ Luna, which uses frozen broccoli as its default.
- A small pan: The Slow Roasted Italian, since it fills a 9 by 9 dish.
Fresh broccoli takes an extra step in all three. Skinnytaste steams it to tender-crisp, 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 to 4 on the stove. Lil’ Luna blanches fresh florets for 1 to 2 minutes, then cools them in ice water for about 2 minutes and pats them dry.
How do you keep broccoli casserole from getting watery?
Drain the broccoli well and don’t overcook it. The Slow Roasted Italian says to thaw frozen broccoli completely and drain it, and to squeeze fresh florets after blanching. Lil’ Luna’s team says they have never found the frozen version soggy, so that one comes down to your own experience, and you can thaw it first if you’re worried!
The Slow Roasted Italian also gives a baking tip. Cover it with foil after about 20 minutes if the top browns too fast, but not for the whole bake, since that makes it soggy.
Can you make broccoli casserole ahead or freeze it?
Yes, broccoli casserole keeps both ways, and the two recipes that spell out make-ahead steps say to hold back the cracker topping. Skinnytaste says to assemble it without the crackers a day ahead, then add them and bake. Lil’ Luna says to chill it 1 to 2 days or freeze it up to 3 months, then top it before baking.
The Slow Roasted Italian says it can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the oven, and that baked leftovers keep 3 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer. Skinnytaste keeps leftovers up to 4 days and doesn’t mention freezing. Lil’ Luna’s leftovers keep 3 days in the fridge.
Planning a holiday table? Our Thanksgiving side dishes ranked shows where a casserole fits, and the vegetable sides sorted by oven space page helps with the oven.
More casserole and broccoli ideas
Our Outback Steakhouse broccoli page is a different take on the same vegetable, and the Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole copycat is another baked casserole. For something sweeter, see the Boston Market sweet potato casserole.
Broccoli casserole questions people ask
Can you use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Lil’ Luna uses it by default, and The Slow Roasted Italian says you should thaw it completely and drain it first.
Do you need cream of mushroom soup?
No. Skinnytaste makes a sauce from mushrooms, flour, broth and milk instead.
What can you use instead of Ritz crackers?
The Slow Roasted Italian says toasted breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds work, or you can leave the topping off.