Keto Broccoli Casserole is a delightful dish that is both comforting and simple to make. This creamy casserole is topped with cheese and filled with perfectly seasoned steamed broccoli. This versatile dish can be served as a side dish or even as part of your weekly meal prep. In addition to being keto-friendly, this easy side dish is also gluten-free, grain-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your grandma’s dry, bland casserole. The heavy cream is like liquid silk, creating a velvety smooth texture that you just can’t get any other way. Combined with the sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese, it creates the most decadent, creamy cheese sauce. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds, truly! This recipe for a cheesy broccoli casserole is an easy broccoli cheese casserole. This keto casserole recipe is sure to become your new favorite way to enjoy broccoli.
Health Benefits of Keto Broccoli Casserole
Like previously mentioned, this is a terrific low carb side dish for a keto diet. But it’s also loaded with nutrients and antioxidants too. You will get good fats, and probiotics from sour cream, protein, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, folate, and so much more.
Low Carb
Broccoli is the main ingredient in keto broccoli casserole, which is a low-carb vegetable. This makes it an excellent option for those looking to maintain a low-carb lifestyle while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
High in Healthy Fats
Keto broccoli casserole is typically made with cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese, which are all high in healthy fats. These fats help keep you full and satisfied for longer, making it easier to stick to your keto diet.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nutritious
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. Adding broccoli to your diet can help support overall health and well-being.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This easy and delicious keto broccoli casserole recipe is a perfect addition to your low-carb meal plan. With readily available ingredients, this versatile dish is a great option as a side dish or even meal prep.
- 1 pound broccoli cut into florets
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ground
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli works, but ensure it’s well-drained. I’m a fan of the fresh broccoli over the frozen! It just tastes better, but I do understand the convenience of the frozen kind. If that’s what you’ve got, it should work. I’ve just never made it myself in this recipe.
Cream Cheese: Opt for full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Considering most broccoli casserole dishes are put together using some flavor of condensed soup, this broccoli cheese casserole is different because the sauce is actually made using cream cheese. You can also mix through full-fat cream cheese or mascarpone cheese for an even more creamy cheese sauce.
Heavy Cream: This is key to achieving a creamy sauce. The heavy cream is like liquid silk, creating a velvety smooth texture that you just can’t get any other way.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Butter: Salted butter enhances the richness. Consider using grass-fed butter for a premium touch.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for flavor; avoid jarred minced garlic if possible.
Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings elevate the taste.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides a delightful bite. This broccoli and cheese casserole is loaded up with rich cream cheese, freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, and some grated Parmesan cheese! That’s going to add tons of creamy, decadent cheesy flavor to this casserole. You can swap the cheddar cheese for mozzarella or any other cheese that melts well. Combine mozzarella with the cheddar for a stretchy consistency, or add a little parmesan for more bite.
How to Make Keto Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This dinner is a simple low-carb broccoli casserole with cream cheese. Overall, it’s pretty simple to toss this together in your favorite casserole baking dish.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Preheat your oven to 200C/390F. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Steam Broccoli: I find that this low carb broccoli casserole recipe cooks up perfectly when I use steamed broccoli. If you don’t steam it beforehand, it’s not going to soften up very well. This could mean that it’s going to be hard and not cook evenly as if it was steamed. So, I highly recommend steaming for the best results. You can do this on the stovetop, oven, or even by adding the broccoli to a bowl with little water and microwaving. This is my new favorite way to pre-cook fresh broccoli florets for a casserole. I add them to the baking dish I’m planning on using for the casserole, add about 1/2 an inch of water, cover it tightly with foil and bake until they are tender. Add the rack to the bottom of the pot. Place broccoli on top of the rack. Add one cup of water. Turn the Instant Pot to manual high pressure and set it for 0 minutes. The broccoli will cook in the time it takes to come up to pressure. Steam or boil the broccoli until it’s slightly tender but still retains a bit of crunch. Drain well and place in a mixing bowl. Add the broccoli to a large microwave safe bowl along with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave for 2 minutes. Steam the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain well to remove excess water. Steam or boil the broccoli just enough so that it is still crunchy on the inside. Drain well and place into a large mixing bowl. Ensure you drain the broccoli well, removing as much water as possible.Some recipes will call for you to boil or blanch your veggies but I prefer to steam my vegetables whenever possible. Don’t have fresh broccoli? No worries.Microwave Method: For this recipe, I nearly always opt for the microwave, just because it’s easy.Steaming Method: Add your broccoli florets to a large strainer over a pot filled with 1-2 inches of water, bring to a boil and then cover, steaming broccoli for 2-3 minutes. When done, remove from heat and set aside.Oven Method: Add them to the baking dish I’m planning on using for the casserole, add about 1/2 an inch of water, cover it tightly with foil and bake until they are tender.
Cook the Creamy Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, combine garlic, butter, salt, pepper, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Cook over medium heat for 7-10 minutes while stirring until the cream cheese has melted. Place the garlic, butter, salt, pepper, cream cheese, and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 7-10 minutes while stirring until the cream cheese has melted. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Combine and Top the Broccoli Cheese Casserole: Add the sauce into the broccoli, along with 2 ounces of the cheddar cheese and gently mix then pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Mix seasonings with cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and half the cheese. Fold in the broccoli. Spread in the prepared casserole dish. Scoop that mixture right on top of your hot and steamy broccoli and start stirring. Add the creamy cheese sauce and 2 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese to the broccoli. Mix gently and transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Transfer the broccoli to the buttered casserole dish and then cover with the remaining cheddar cheese and remaining bacon and green onions.
Bake and Serve Your Broccoli Gratin with Parmesan Cheese: Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned. Serve immediately. Bake for 20 minutes. Transfer this to a baking dish and sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese. Bake it up and you’ll have this decadent broccoli and cheese casserole that the whole family will love! Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, creating a beautiful cheesy broccoli gratin. Serve immediately and relish the deliciousness! Bake covered for 25 minutes and then uncovered for another 5 minutes.
Variations and Tips
- Additions: Feel free to add in some crumbled bacon, cooked chicken, cooked turkey, cauliflower rice, other steamed veggies, etc.
- Add Meat: If you like adding meat to your casseroles, try diced bacon, shredded chicken, or ground beef. Be sure to cook all meat first. Incorporate diced bacon, shredded chicken, or ground beef for a heartier casserole experience.
- Creamy Twist: Try adding 1/2 sour cream 1/2 heavy cream if you like a slightly bitter cream. Swap half of the heavy cream with sour cream for a subtle tangy flavor in your broccoli casserole with milk and eggs.
- Cheese Options: Combine mozzarella with the cheddar for a stretchy consistency, or add a little parmesan for more bite. Combine mozzarella with cheddar for a stretchy, gooey texture or sprinkle some parmesan on top for an added layer of flavor in your broccoli casserole with swiss cheese.
- Crunchy Topping Traditional broccoli casserole often has Ritz crackers or other cracker crumbs over the top. If you have any keto bread in the refrigerator or freezer, it would make a good crumbled topping for this low-carb broccoli casserole. Just lightly toast it, crumble, and then stir it in with some melted butter. If you’d like to add some parmesan to the crumbly topping, that adds a nice flavor that pairs well with the rest of the casserole.
- Seasoning: You don’t need many seasonings for this casserole. Herbs & Spices - salt, black pepper, oregano, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder or your herbs or spices of choice can be added to flavor the casserole.
How to Store and Reheat
- To Store: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Store keto broccoli casserole in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To ensure longevity, cover it with plastic wrap before placing it in the container. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container but make sure it is at room temperature before doing so. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: You quickly can reheat the leftovers in the microwave for 1 - 2 minutes or until hot. Another option is to warm it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is broccoli casserole healthy?
If you’re following a low-carb diet, broccoli casserole is very healthy. It has lots of vitamins and minerals and is high in fiber while delivering a good dose of healthy fats for energy.
Is broccoli casserole gluten-free?
Yes. Broccoli casserole contains no grains or flour and is gluten-free.
Is broccoli casserole keto-friendly?
If you keep any high-carb ingredients out of your recipe, such as rice, broccoli casserole is very keto-friendly.
How many carbs are in broccoli casserole?
There are 3 grams of net carbs in broccoli casserole. Net carbs equal total carbohydrates (7 grams) minus fiber (4 grams).
How many calories are in broccoli casserole?
There are 375 calories per 200-gram serving of broccoli casserole.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. If you’re starting with a cold casserole, add a few extra minutes of baking time. Simply assemble the day before but don’t bake it, cover it and park it in the fridge. You can make it up ahead of time and just cook before serving.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just make sure to thaw it completely and drain it well before using it. I’ve never tried it in this recipe and would definitely recommend using fresh broccoli, but I think it would work fine with frozen.