Last Updated on August 10, 2026 by Kimberly Stroh

As much as I love the turkey at Thanksgiving, I have to admit that the side dishes are often my favorite part of the meal. Our family loves making decadent vegetable sides that are just as delicious as they are comforting, and this Broccoli Cheese Casserole is always a favorite. It combines tender broccoli with a creamy, cheesy sauce and is topped with crunchy, seasoned croutons before being baked until bubbly and golden. If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving broccoli side dish that’s sure to disappear from the table, this is the one to make this year.

Why We Love Broccoli Cheese Casserole for Thanksgiving

If you’re looking for a vegetable side dish that feels a little more indulgent, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a delicious choice. Tender broccoli is combined with a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with seasoned croutons that bake up golden and crunchy. The combination of creamy and crispy textures makes this casserole hard to resist—even for those who aren’t usually big fans of broccoli.

This easy broccoli casserole is also a wonderful addition to a holiday meal. It can be prepared with simple ingredients and baked until bubbly and golden, making it perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a Sunday family dinner. Best of all, the cheesy flavor and crunchy topping make it feel special enough for the holiday table while still simple enough to make on any weeknight.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole Ingredients:

• Frozen Chopped Broccoli: I stock up on frozen broccoli when it’s on sale
• Butter: Salted or Unsalted works
• Onion: I prefer a sweet onion
• Flour
• Milk: Use whole milk to make your roux
• Cheez Whiz: Find the jar Cheez Whiz
• Eggs
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Seasoned Croutons: Packaged seasoned croutons work in any size. I use a smaller size.

How To Prep Your Broccoli Cheese Casserole Ahead of Time

If you want to make this Broccoli Cheese Casserole ahead of time for Thanksgiving, it’s easy to prepare in advance. Simply follow all of the stovetop instructions, but wait to add the croutons. Once the casserole is assembled, cover it and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake, add the seasoned croutons to the top and bake as directed.

Have leftovers? Store the casserole in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in the oven until heated through. If the crouton topping has softened, feel free to add a few more before reheating. Honestly, this is one of my favorite leftover recipes—the flavors seem to get even better the next day!

What To Serve With Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is the perfect addition to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner because it pairs beautifully with all of the holiday classics. I love serving it alongside a roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. If you’re looking for an easy way to get the main dish and several vegetables on the table, my Sheet Pan Turkey Dinner is another great option. It includes turkey breast, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and green beans all cooked together on one pan. 

Since this casserole is creamy and cheesy, I like to balance the meal with a few lighter or traditional vegetable sides. My Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Spoon Bread would make a delicious addition, or you could add my Southern Squash Casserole for another comforting vegetable side. For a holiday table, I think two or three vegetable dishes alongside your turkey and starches give everyone plenty of options.

Don’t forget the potatoes! If you’re already making mashed potatoes, the cheesy broccoli casserole adds a completely different texture and flavor to the plate. For another hearty option, my Cheesy Broccoli Potato Casserole is delicious with roasted turkey or ham.

And, of course, you’ll want to save room for dessert. A Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without something sweet, and my Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Pie is a fun twist on the traditional pumpkin pie.

How to Make This Thanksgiving Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Thaw broccoli and let it drain in a colander. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. 
I used an ovenproof 10″ skillet and made the entire dish in this one pan, but a 2qt casserole dish works too.

Add onions and stir until bubbly. Pour in milk and add flour to make a roux by cooking until mixture boils and thickens.

Add the cheese and stir into the mixture until melted.

Remove from heat and add the broccoli, eggs, salt, nutmeg and pepper.

If desired, pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish. Or keep it in the skillet if it’s ovenproof. Sprinkle it with croutons. Bake at 325ºF for 30 minutes.