# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 5 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen (approximately 2 medium heads)
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
→ Topping
12 - 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (approximately 30 crackers), crushed
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
04 - Stir flour into the butter and onion mixture, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly to form a smooth roux and remove raw flour taste.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk until no lumps remain. Continue whisking and cook until sauce thickens nicely, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is completely melted and sauce is velvety smooth.
06 - Place blanched broccoli in a large bowl. Pour cheese sauce over broccoli and fold gently until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
07 - In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Mix until crackers are evenly coated with butter.
08 - Sprinkle buttered cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake for 25–30 minutes until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set slightly for easier scooping.
