Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you love a side dish that’s as easy to throw together as it is delicious—and that’s exactly what this Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe brings to the table. It’s one of those comforting classics I turn to when I want something cozy, with a touch of crispiness and just the right balance of savory and sweet. The creamy corn mingled with tender broccoli, topped with buttery croutons, makes every bite a little celebration of texture and flavor.
This recipe really shines alongside any hearty main — think roast chicken or grilled steaks — but honestly, it’s so good it could be a star on its own at a weeknight dinner. The best part? It’s super forgiving and quick, perfect when you need a reliable veggie side that everyone will actually want to eat. Trust me, once you try this Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe, it’ll become your go-to in no time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and frozen broccoli for an easy, accessible dish.
- Textural Contrast: Creamy corn and broccoli paired with the crunch of buttery croutons creates a delightful bite.
- Quick Preparation: Preps in just a few minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Versatile Side: Compliments a wide variety of main dishes and can be tweaked to suit dietary needs without losing flavor.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe come together beautifully because each brings its own role: the broccoli adds subtle earthiness and green freshness, while the cream-style corn lends sweetness and creaminess. The croutons are a game changer—they soak up butter and add that irresistible crunchy topping. Here’s a quick rundown of what each does and why you want it!
- Frozen chopped broccoli: Using frozen saves time and ensures broccoli is tender but not mushy—just make sure to thaw and drain well.
- Cream style corn: Adds natural sweetness and creamy texture without extra effort.
- Salt: Essential for balancing flavors and bringing out the sweetness of the corn.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, keeping everything together while adding richness.
- Onion (chopped): Adds a subtle, savory touch that brings depth to the flavor profile.
- Black pepper: A little spice to round out the dish and lift the flavors.
- Butter or margarine: Melted to coat the croutons and add rich buttery flavor to the crunch.
- Seasoned croutons: The ultimate topping—crispy, buttery, and seasoned, they provide the crunch that makes this dish memorable.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love experimenting with this Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe depending on what I have on hand or my mood. It’s super versatile and really welcomes tweaks—so don’t hesitate to make it your own. Here are a couple of ways I’ve adjusted it that you might enjoy too.
- Adding cheese: I sometimes sprinkle shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the mix before baking for an extra layer of melty, savory goodness.
- Herbs and spices: A pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of fresh thyme transforms the dish for special occasions.
- Substitute croutons: For a gluten-free version, crushed gluten-free crackers or nuts like toasted almonds make an excellent crunchy topping.
- Boost with bacon: Crispy bacon bits stirred in before baking add savory saltiness that’s hard to resist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This is a great time to grease your baking dish—either with a little butter or a quick spritz of nonstick spray—to make sure your Broccoli Corn Crunch slides out easily after baking. While the oven warms up, thaw your frozen broccoli and drain it very well to avoid any sogginess.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the beaten egg, cream style corn, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. This mixture is the heart of the dish and makes the broccoli come alive with flavor. Then fold in the drained broccoli gently so you don’t break up the pieces too much.
Step 3: Prepare the Crouton Topping
In a small bowl, stir melted butter into the seasoned croutons until they’re evenly coated. This step is what gives the crunch that lovely buttery flavor and ensures they toast up nicely in the oven.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Take about one cup of the buttery croutons and mix them right into the broccoli-corn mixture. Then transfer everything to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Scatter the remaining croutons on top — they’ll toast during baking and form that irresistible crunchy crust. Pop it in the oven for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Pro Tips for Making Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe
- Drain Thoroughly: Make sure your thawed broccoli is well-drained to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
- Even Crouton Coating: Toss croutons in melted butter before baking to ensure they crisp up perfectly without burning.
- Check Oven Temperature: An accurate oven temp keeps the crunch topping from browning too quickly before the filling is cooked through.
- Use Seasoned Croutons: Using pre-seasoned croutons takes this dish from basic to flavorful with no extra fuss.
How to Serve Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top the Broccoli Corn Crunch with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions right before serving— it adds a pop of color and a fresh taste that balances out the richness. Sometimes, a little squeeze of lemon juice brightens it up perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted meats—like chicken, pork loin, or beef brisket. I also enjoy serving it alongside simple grilled salmon or even a hearty lentil loaf when I want a vegetarian meal full of comfort and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or potlucks, I sometimes spoon the Broccoli Corn Crunch into individual ramekins for a charming presentation. It’s also great served family-style in a rustic baking dish—letting everyone dig in and enjoy the crunchy topping together. Adding a small side of mixed greens dressed in vinaigrette makes this side feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually store it uncovered for a few minutes before reheating to help maintain some of that lovely crunch.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this dish because the crouton topping tends to lose its crispness and can become soggy upon thawing. If you want to freeze parts, consider freezing just the broccoli and corn mix separately without the topping.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer the oven or toaster oven over the microwave for best texture. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 325°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through—then remove foil for another 5 minutes to revive the crunch on top.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen in the Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe?
Yes! Fresh broccoli works wonderfully. Just blanch it briefly in boiling water until tender-crisp, then drain and cool it before mixing into the recipe. This keeps the texture nice and prevents the dish from becoming watery.
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What can I use if I don’t have seasoned croutons?
If you don’t have seasoned croutons, you can toss plain croutons with a sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of salt or Italian seasoning before mixing with melted butter. Alternatively, crushed crackers or toasted nuts like walnuts can add a fun crunch.
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Is this Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe gluten-free?
The original recipe isn’t gluten-free due to the croutons. However, you can easily adapt it by using gluten-free croutons or another crunchy gluten-free topping like crushed cornflakes or nuts.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can! Replace the egg with a flax egg or commercial egg replacer, use vegan butter or margarine, and ensure your croutons are vegan-friendly. The cream-style corn is typically vegan, but it’s always worth double-checking the brand.
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How do I get the croutons to stay crunchy?
Coating the croutons in melted butter before baking is key. Also, mix some of the croutons inside the mixture for added flavor but reserve plenty for the top so they can crisp up properly in the oven.
Final Thoughts
This Broccoli Corn Crunch Recipe is one of those comfort classics that always feels right, whether you’re throwing together a casual dinner or adding a cozy touch to a holiday spread. I love how easy it is to make but how satisfying it tastes, especially with that buttery crouton topping that adds a little zest to your usual veggie side. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming one of your favorite dishes to lean on when you want something that tastes like a warm hug in a bowl.
PrintBroccoli Corn Crunch Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Broccoli Corn Crunch is a deliciously creamy and crunchy casserole featuring tender broccoli, sweet cream-style corn, and a buttery seasoned crouton topping baked to golden perfection. This comforting side dish is perfect for lunch or dinner and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped broccoli
- 1 (8 oz) can cream style corn
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
- 1 1/2 cups seasoned croutons
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Broccoli: Thaw the frozen broccoli completely and drain off any excess liquid to avoid sogginess in the casserole.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the beaten egg, cream-style corn, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
- Add Broccoli and Croutons: Add the drained broccoli to the corn mixture. In a separate small bowl, stir together the seasoned croutons with the melted butter. Add 1 cup of this crouton mixture to the broccoli and corn mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the broccoli and corn mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved crouton mixture evenly over the top for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until bubbly and the croutons on top are golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Broccoli Corn Crunch as a tasty side dish!
Notes
- Make sure to fully drain the thawed broccoli to prevent a watery casserole.
- Use seasoned croutons for added flavor, or substitute with homemade breadcrumbs and herbs.
- Butter can be substituted with margarine or a plant-based alternative for different dietary needs.
- This recipe serves well for 4 people as a side dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a crispy topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg