Broccoli Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining mashed potatoes, broccoli, bacon, and plenty of melted cheese in every bite. It’s an easy make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or serving alongside your favorite family meals.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Broccoli Potato Casserole
- Flavor: Rich and creamy with buttery mashed potatoes, savory bacon, tender broccoli, and a cheesy topping.
- Why It Works: Cooking the potatoes and broccoli before baking keeps the casserole creamy without overbaking the topping.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this casserole alongside roasted meats, baked chicken, pork chops, crockpot meatloaf, or a crisp green salad.
Total Time: 1 Hr 15 Mins Servings: 6 Cooking Method: Oven Baked
Ingredient Notes
- Baking Potatoes: Russet potatoes create a light and fluffy texture when mashed, while Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for a denser casserole with a naturally buttery flavor. Just be sure to cut the potato chunks to a similar size so they cook at the same rate.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crisp so it adds texture and savory flavor to the creamy filling. Precooked bacon can also be used.
- Sour Cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the best results. Replace with plain Greek yogurt for a slightly sharper taste.
- Milk: Add just enough milk to make the potatoes easy to mash and create a creamy texture. Avoid adding too much, as it can make the casserole too loose.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds plenty of flavor without needing a large amount of cheese. For the smoothest melt and best texture, grate the cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used. Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the creamy potato mixture.
Favorite Variations
- Add Chicken: Fold in chopped cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken and serve the casserole as a main dish.
- Add Extra Veggies: Stir in thawed peas, chopped spinach, cauliflower, or finely diced roasted peppers.
- Add a Crunchy Topping: Add buttered breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or crispy fried onions during the final portion of baking.
How to Make Broccoli Potato Casserole
- Cook the potatoes and garlic, bacon, and broccoli (full recipe below).
- Mash the potatoes with the remaining potato mixture ingredients, then fold in the mix-ins, reserving some cheese.
- Spread in a casserole dish, top with reserved cheese, and bake.
Storing Leftovers
- Assemble this side up to one day ahead. If cooking from cold, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then cover in foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add a splash of milk if the potatoes seem dry.
- To refresh leftovers, top them with fresh cheddar or crumbled bacon before reheating.
Easy Family Casserole Dinners
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Broccoli Potato Casserole
This creamy broccoli potato casserole combines fluffy mashed potatoes, tender broccoli, smoky bacon, and three cheeses under a hot, bubbly cheddar topping.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large baking potatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 8 slices bacon
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk or as needed
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place potatoes in a large pot of boiling water along with garlic cloves. Boil for 13 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
- Cook bacon until crisp. Set aside.
- Place broccoli in a microwavable bowl, add 1 cup of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave 3 minutes or until tender crisp. Drain well. (Or steam broccoli on the stove if you prefer).
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, milk and onion powder. Mash with a potato masher. Stir in bacon, broccoli, cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Spread into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.
Notes
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 547mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 46.9mg | Calcium: 326mg | Iron: 1.7mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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