Vegetable Casserole

Vegetable Casserole, exactly the way my mom made it for big dinners and holidays. Frozen mixed veggies topped with Velveeta cheese and covered with buttery cracker crumbs, then baked until piping hot. Watch it disappear, scoop after cheesy, crunchy scoop.

When there’s stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and pie, it’s easy to forget the vegetables. But this beloved family recipe is one everyone insists on, and it’s usually the first thing to go.

In case you’re wondering, it’s not a gooey casserole. You don’t need canned soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, or cheese-whiz. The broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots still taste like vegetables–they just happen to be covered with cheese and crispy buttered cracker crumbs.

Easy to assemble, too, even for kids. And during the holidays, it’s one of the most delicious vegetable recipes I’ve ever had.

Recipe ingredients:

Ingredient notes:

• Frozen vegetables: Package sizes may vary, so aim for about 48 ounces total (3 pounds, about 9 cups) of frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
• Velveeta:  🎶 It’s Velveeta versus cheddar. Our Velveeta melts much better. 🎶
• Crackers: Or substitute Homemade bread crumbs.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large microwave-safe bowl, add broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower and stir to combine. Microwave uncovered on high until the vegetables are warm, about 12 to 15 minutes.
   
2. Transfer to a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Evenly place the sliced Velveeta cheese over the vegetables.
   
3. In a medium bowl, add crushed Ritz crackers melted butter and toss to combine. Sprinkle over Velveeta cheese.
   
4. Bake until cheese is melted and cracker topping is golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes.
   

Recipe tips and variations:

• Fresh vegetables: Instead of using frozen, go ahead and make the casserole with your favorite mix of fresh vegetables. Just be sure to blanch them in boiling water until they’re tender, then drain and pat dry. You will need about 9 cups of chopped vegetables to make the recipe. (See my tutorial on how to blanch broccoli for more information.)
• Other vegetables: Go ahead and shop the freezer aisle for different varieties of vegetables to use: julienned bell peppers, green beans, or peas.

More family favorites:

• Homemade Crescent Rolls
• Cranberry Sauce with Apples
• Veggie Pizza
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Vegetable Casserole

Vegetable Casserole, just like mom used to make! Made with frozen veggies, Velveeta, and buttery cracker crumbs, it's always the first side dish to disappear.

5 from 14 votes

ReviewPrint

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Servings 12 servings (1 cup each)

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 178

Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 (16 ounce) bag broccoli frozen (see note 1)
• ▢ 1 (16 ounce) bag carrots frozen
• ▢ 1 (16 ounce) bag cauliflower frozen
• ▢ 1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta sliced (see note 2)
• ▢ 1 roll Ritz crackers crushed (see note 3)
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter melted (½ stick)

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large microwave-safe bowl, add broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower and stir to combine. Microwave uncovered on high until the vegetables are warm, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Evenly place the sliced Velveeta over the vegetables.
• In a medium bowl, add Ritz crackers melted butter and toss to combine. Sprinkle over Velveeta.
• Bake until cheese is melted and cracker topping is golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Vegetables: Package sizes may vary, so aim for about 48 ounces total (3 pounds, about 9 cups) of frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. To substitute fresh vegetables, blanch them in boiling water until tender, then drain and pat dry. You will need about 9 cups of chopped vegetables.
2. Velveeta: If you don't adore this melty, creamy, nostalgic processed cheese product, substitute homemade cheese sauce.
3. Crackers: Or substitute homemade bread crumbs.
4. Yield: This recipe makes about 12 (1-cup servings).
5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
6. Make ahead: The vegetables can be cooked and the casserole assembled a day in advance (even the Velveeta and buttery crumbs). Store covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
7. More vegetables: Substitute your favorite blend or swap in green beans, zucchini, or peas.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 967mgPotassium: 196mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 831IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 328mgIron: 1mg

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