About
Light & Tasty Broccoli Casserole brings all your favorite flavors from one of your go-to bakes... minus all the guilt! Fresh broccoli florets are combined with a creamy and cheesy sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. A crunchy topping of whole wheat breadcrumbs and melty parmesan cheese adds texture and flavor to this comfort food classic. With just a fraction of the calories and fat of traditional broccoli casserole, this Light & Tasty Broccoli Casserole is sure to become a new favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, torn into pieces
- 2 pounds broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded, divided
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Step 2 -Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 3 -Place the bread pieces in a food processor and process until coarse crumbs form.
Step 4 -Spread the breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet and bake until they are dry and crispy, about 10 minutes.
Step 5 -In a large pot fitted with a steamer basket, add 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
Step 6 -Add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket and steam until they are just tender, about 4-6 minutes.
Step 7 -Chop the steamed broccoli coarsely and spread it evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 8 -Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Step 9 -In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Step 10 -Add the onion and the garlic to the saucepan and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 11 -Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook for 1 minute.
Step 12 -Slowly pour the chicken broth into the onion mixture, stirring continuously, and cook until it thickens, about 3 minutes.
Step 13 -Add the cream cheese, the Worcestershire, the pepper, and the salt to the broth mixture and cook, stirring continuously, until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Step 14 -Transfer the cream cheese mixture from the heat and add 1 1/2 cups of the cheese to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine.
Step 15 - Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli.
Step 16 -In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the remaining butter until melted.
Step 17 -In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and the breadcrumbs.
Step 18 -Spread the breadcrumbs mixture evenly over the broccoli mixture and top with the remaining cheese.
Step 19 -Bake the casserole until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 20 -Serve.
