Blue Cheese Broccoli Casserole

Created by KittenCal on November 4, 2011

Ingredients

4 cups fresh small broccoli florets, chopped (I use 1 small head of broccoli chopped into florets)
2 tablespoons butter
1-2 large garlic cloves, minced (optional, garlic lovers use 2 cloves)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese crumbled (for a milder blue cheese flavor reduce to 1/3 cup)
1 cup milk or light cream
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups Ritz butter cracker crumbs,
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, then grease a medium casserole dish.
Step 2: Steam broccoli florets until firm-tender (about 2-3 minutes) drain well then pat dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Step 3: In a large saucepan melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat; add in the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
Step 4: Add in the flour and stir for 1 minute.
Step 5: Add cream cheese, blue cheese and milk or light cream; stir over low heat until melted and smooth then stir in the broccoli florets.
Step 6: In a bowl combine the cracker crumbs with 6 tablespoons melted butter until well combined.
Step 7: Remove 1 cup of the cracker mixture then stir into the broccoli mixture.
Step 8: Season with black pepper.
Step 9: Transfer mixture into a casserole dish.

Step 10: Cover with foil or a lid and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 11: Remove from oven then sprinkle the top with the remaining cracker crumbs.
Step 12: Return to oven and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes.
Step 13: Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.