I would double this recipe
- Carbohydrate 11.83337 g
- Cholesterol 96.4916666666667 mg
- Fat 31.5184533333333 g
- Fiber 0.22400000890096 g
- Protein 11.9021966666667 g
- Saturated Fat 19.54084 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (187g)
- Sodium 1356.897 mg
- Sugar 11.609369991099 g
- Trans Fat 7.07046333333333 g
- Calories 370 calories
Step-by-step
- Place 10 oz. frozen broccoli florets in a medium pot that contains 1 inch of rapidly boiling water.
- Bring back to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
- When the broccoli is ready, drain off the water through a colander into the sink.
- Return the broccoli to its original pot.
- Now, add 8 oz. Cheez Whiz to the cooked broccoli, and stir gently until blended, without disturbing the broccoli florets too much.
- Next, make a topping: Melt 1/2 stick butter or margarine in a saucepan.
- Add 1 inner packet of Ritz crackers that have been coarsely crushed.
- Mix with melted butter or margarine.
- Now, spray a small casserole dish with oil spray, pour in the broccoli-Cheese Whiz mix, and smooth it out at bit.
- Top with the buttered crushed Ritz cracker crumbs.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
- The Cheese Whiz will be bubbly around the edges, and the cracker crumbs will be light brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve while hot.
Emulsified processed cheese products create smoother, more stable cheese sauces than aged cheddars because their sodium citrate content prevents the dairy proteins from separating when exposed to oven heat. Steaming frozen broccoli briefly in one inch of water until tender-crisp establishes a firm structural base that prevents the final bake from becoming watery. Coarsely crushing buttered crackers for the topping introduces a contrasting crunch against the rich, uniform softness of the interior.
Structuring the Meal Around Rich Casseroles
Heavy vegetable bakes featuring processed cheese products and butter-soaked cracker toppings require sharp, acidic elements to balance their density. Pairing this dish with bright, vinegar-dressed leafy greens or roasted meats seasoned with lemon juice prevents the palate from fat fatigue. The strong salt content found in processed cheese sauces demands unsalted or low-sodium proteins if serving a multi-course dinner. Roasted pork loin or pan-seared chicken cutlets provide a neutral, savory foundation that absorbs the richness of the table without competing for attention.
- Prevent soggy toppings by applying the buttered cracker crumbs immediately before the fifteen-minute bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drain the cooked broccoli thoroughly in a colander to eliminate excess moisture that would otherwise thin the cheese sauce.
- Stir the cheese into the vegetables gently to preserve the shape of the florets rather than mashing them into a purée.
