Broccoli casseroles are always popular, and there are dozens of versions that are good; almost everyone has a version that they prepare often. My friend Susan Hamilton makes a luscious recipe and it only has five ingredients. Her creamy vegetable bake calls for frozen broccoli, Velveeta® or equivalent, butter, and crushed crackers. What could be easier? You’ll want to make the following Susan Hamilton’s 5-Ingredient Broccoli Bake, now, and you’ll find yourself making it over and over.

This vegetable bake is good enough to serve at holiday dinners, as well as throughout the entire year. It’s creamy, delicious, and absolutely addicting. While process cheese spread is one of those convenience foods that contains suspicious (it is a mystery whether they are even foodstuffs) ingredients, and is considered a grave food crime by many, it works well here when it is melted with butter and makes an easy sauce. Anyone tasting this casserole, even convenience food snobs, will hide their box of process cheese spread under the gourmet ingredients in their grocery cart and take it home to prepare this dish for unsuspecting guests and family. No one will guess how easy it is, or even what’s in it; it will be devoured immediately, and there will be no leftovers.

8 Servings

Broccoli Base:
20 ounces frozen broccoli
8 ounces pasteurized process cheese spread, such as Velveeta, cut into small cubes
1/4 cup butter, (1/2 stick)

Topping:
1 sleeve Buttery Crackers such as Ritz, (3 3/4 ounces)
1/4 cup melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Spray a 9 x 9" shallow baking dish with non-stick spray.
3. Broccoli Base:Cook the broccoli for 5 minutes (I use microwave), drain well, and place in a bowl.
4. Add the cheese cubes and 1/4 cup butter; stir until the cheese and butter are melted.
5. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
6. Make the Topping: Crush the crackers and stir in the melted butter; spread evenly over the broccoli.
7. Bake about 30 minutes until bubbly and brown.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 298 Calories from Fat 204
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 69% Protein 14% Carb. 18%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 23 g
Saturated Fat 12 g
Cholesterol 55 mg
Sodium 634 mg
Total Carbohydrate 13 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 10 g

Vitamin A 34% Vitamin C 81% Calcium 0% Iron 7%