Description
A comforting and easy-to-make casserole featuring tender turkey and broccoli in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker and fried onion crust. Perfect for a hearty family dinner with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- Small pinch of cayenne
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp. curry powder
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen broccoli florets, cooked
- 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
Topping
- 1/2 cup Ritz crackers or similar, crushed
- 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1/2 cup canned fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare the base sauce: In a large non-stick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they turn soft but not browned, which typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Create the roux: Sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and to help thicken the sauce later.
- Add liquids and thicken: Mix in the 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard, then gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken stock to avoid lumps. Continue cooking the mixture for about 7 minutes, or until it thickens to a creamy sauce consistency.
- Preheat the oven: While your sauce is thickening, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) to get ready for baking the casserole.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the grated sharp white cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, a small pinch of cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper to taste, and 1 teaspoon of curry powder. Mix well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and flavorful.
- Add turkey and broccoli: Fold in the cooked turkey cubes and cooked broccoli florets, ensuring they are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased 8×11-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare the topping: Crush the Ritz crackers finely. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and stir it into the crushed crackers until they are evenly coated.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the buttered cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole surface. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the casserole starts to bubble and the topping is golden.
- Add fried onions and finish baking: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the 1/2 cup canned fried onions over the top, then bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and warmed through. Watch carefully to prevent the fried onions from burning.
Notes
- Ensure broccoli is fully cooked and drained to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- If fresh turkey is unavailable, leftover roasted or smoked turkey works well.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with 2% milk and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
- Make sure not to brown the onions during sauté to maintain a mild, sweet flavor.
- Serving suggestion: Pair with a simple side salad or crusty bread.
- Use non-stick skillet to prevent sauce from sticking and burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Broccoli Turkey Divan, Turkey casserole, Creamy broccoli casserole, Easy dinner recipes, Comfort food casserole
