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Crockpot Broccoli Casserole with Stuffing

    broccoli casserole cooked in crock with cheese melted on top.

    This 1970’s Broccoli Casserole Recipe can be cooked in a crockpot or baked in the oven. It is a quick put-together in either a crockpot or baking dish. The special ingredient is Stove Top Stuffing.

    Then and Now

    I started making this recipe back in 1994. It was given to me on a recipe card by a lady named “Marie” so I’m not exactly sure where it originated. My best guess is that this recipe was created by Stove Top Stuffing as one of their product recipes. Anytime an older recipe specifies a particular brand, that may be a clue to its origin.

    Back in those days, chopped broccoli came in a frozen block. Frozen broccoli is not generally sold that way today because frozen florets have become more popular. I still prefer it made with frozen CHOPPED broccoli to give it that real authentic casserole texture. If I were going to use fresh broccoli, I’d steam (not boil) it for just a few minutes and then chop it up and add it in place of the frozen broccoli.

    Another thing that was different back then, was the way the Stove Top Stuffing was packaged. It used to have a little packet of seasoning in it so you could control the amount of flavor to the dried bread crumbs. They stopped doing that over a decade ago and now the seasoning is mixed right into the bag.

    A Little History About Stove Top Stuffing

    Stove Top Stuffing was introduced on the market in 1972 by General Foods Corporation. In the 1970’s women had less time to spend in the kitchen as they were entering the workforce so food companies began to create faster ways of cooking the family favorites.

    A recipe developer named Ruth Siems made it her mission to create a stuffing that could be cooked on the stove instead of inside the turkey. Once the product launched, it became a nationwide favorite. Stove Top’s television advertisement, featured the tagline “Stuffing instead of potatoes? What a neat idea!”

    a vintage ad for stove top stuffing from the 1970's. "Stove Top Instead of Potatoes? Ask your family."

    What is the difference between a Crockpot and a Slow Cooker?

    There really isn’t much difference. Crockpot is a brand name, Crock-Pot. Over time people just started calling slow cookers a crockpot. A “slow cooker” is just an overall broader term for the many different brands of these slow-heating countertop appliances.

    The main difference I see is that some of the older slow cookers sit on a base that separates from the crock itself. So the heat is coming from the bottom up whereas modern crockpots have a crock that sits inside of the base and it produces a more even heat. Some of the older Crock-Pots were one entire unit. Those are a little more difficult to clean because you have to be careful with the electrical cord. I love to create all kinds of recipes in my Crock-Pots. Many years ago I even had a win in the Crock-Pot All-Stars Contest. Check that recipe out here. Crock-Pot Apple Upside-Down Cake

    Can this recipe be baked in the oven?

    Yes! Here is my recipe card with how I always made broccoli cheese casserole in an 8×10 casserole dish. I have modified the recipe (at the bottom of this article) for slow cooker method because the oven is dry heat and a slow cooker is moist heat. In the new recipe, I reduced the mayonnaise and increased the stuffing mix to use the whole box. I also use the Savory Herb flavor now.

    my recipe box with the baked version of broccoli  casserole.

    Recipe Ingredients:

    ingredients in broccoli cheese casserole frozen chopped broccoli, mayo, 2 eggs, cream of mushroom, onion, butter, stove top, cheddar.

    What do you serve with Crockpot Broccoli Casserole?

    I consider this a side dish but you could also turn it into a main dish by adding cooked cubed chicken. Casseroles are great to take to events where everyone ends up with a ridiculous hodgepodge of mix and match flavors on their plate. I love that, don’t you? Party Potato Casserole is one of those dishes.

    Of course, this is a great side dish at your holiday gatherings too.

    However, if I am making this as part of the small family meal at home, I like to keep the other items on the plate very simple. Ham Steak, Baked or Grilled Chicken, or Sliced Pork Tenderloin for the meat and then some sliced fruit (mango or melon is nice) or a simple salad brings it all together for a balanced meal. This casserole has your starch/carb and your green veggie covered.

    Watch the video below for a quick tutorial and don’t forget to leave some love!

    broccoli casserole cooked in crock with cheese melted on top.

    Crockpot Broccoli Casserole

    This classic 1970's broccoli casserole can be made in the crockpot or the oven. Chopped Broccoli, Stove Top Stuffing, Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, and Cheddar Cheese bring it all together for some serious comfort food.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 8

    Ingredients

    • 1 12 oz. package Chopped Frozen Broccoli thawed completely, set aside.
    • 1/4 cup chopped onion
    • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 10.5 oz. can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup Healthy Request may substitute with Cream of Potato
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 4 tbsp butter melted, may use salted or unsalted
    • 1 6 oz. box Stove Top Stuffing Mix Savory Herbs Flavor
    • 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, DIVIDED (reserve 1/4 cup for topping) shredded
    • salt or pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Thaw broccoli in the microwave completely, about 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion, mayo, cream of mushroom, beaten eggs, and melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
    • Add the stuffing mix, only 1 Cup of cheddar cheese, and broccoli. Stir with a spoon until mixed.
    • Scoop mixture into the slow cooker crockpot bowl.
    • Cook on High Heat with lid on for 1 1/2 hour.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese (1/4 cup) on the top and reduce heat to Low. Cover and cook 30 more minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    The recipe can be doubled but I recommend that the crockpot not be filled beyond 3/4 full so that the entire casserole cooks through. If you are cooking for a crowd, be sure to use the largest slow cooker. 
    You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your specific appliance. The smallest size crockpot can be 2.5 quart and the largest can be 7 quart. Recipe can be doubled in the 7 quart. Increase initial cooking time by 30 minutes on high if recipe is doubled.
    This recipe can also be baked in the oven in a casserole dish. (@350 degrees for 35 minutes)

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