# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 5 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen (approximately 2 medium heads)
→ Sauce Components
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)
→ Crispy Topping
12 - 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (approximately 30 crackers), crushed
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How-To:
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 barely tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle flour into the saucepan, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in whole milk, ensuring no lumps form.
05 - Continue whisking over medium heat until sauce bubbles and thickens noticeably, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
06 - Stir in sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until cheese is completely melted and sauce becomes velvety smooth.
07 - Place blanched broccoli in a large bowl. Pour cheese sauce over broccoli and fold gently to coat evenly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading into an even layer.
08 - In a small bowl, toss crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle buttered cracker mixture evenly over the casserole surface. Bake for 25–30 minutes until topping turns golden brown and sauce bubbles around edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to set slightly for easier serving.
