I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this sumptuous Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole! Seriously, this is a wonderful side dish for holidays or company. You start with broccoli florets, then add pearl onions. You cover the veggies with a thick creamy sauce made from heavy whipping cream and cream cheese. Then you sprinkle grated cheddar cheese and Italian bread crumbs over the top before baking.

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The taste, texture and appearance of Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole is spectacular. The festive green colors are great for holiday baking and are sure to grace any buffet or table. It’s not overly difficult to assemble and what I like about it is that you can make it ahead and then pop it in the oven about an hour before you need it.

I took this savory casserole with me to a large potluck we were having at our church last Sunday. I had some friends taste-test it for me to see what they thought. Thumbs up all the way around! I know you think I rave about everything but truly this is a great broccoli casserole recipe that is one you should consider adding to your repertoire.

I have changed up the original Taste of Home recipe considerably. I found the recipe in several of the older ToH cookbooks including the Bountiful Harvest cookbook. I make a thick creamy sauce. Also my amounts differ after trying to make this the greatest casserole possible over the years.

I think you will agree that this is a hearty and satisfying side dish that’s great for any kind of entertaining, but it’s also nice to put on your own table every so often too! Let me make one recommendation when making this recipe. You must rinse the cocktail onions thoroughly before adding them to the dish. Otherwise, the briny taste will be too strong. I have also used frozen pearl onions in this recipe before and they work as well.

If you’re looking for a fantastic broccoli casserole recipe either for the holidays or any other time, then by all means, put this recipe high on your list. You won’t be sorry, and you and your family will be licking your chops afterwards! 🙂 It’s also a great casserole to use during the summer when you have an abundance of broccoli from your garden or CSA. Regardless of the time of year you make this dish, it is just plain good!

I initially posted this recipe in November 2013. My pictures had so many bread crumbs on the topping it was difficult to see anything else in the dish. I recently remade this casserole for a meal for friends. He had knee replacement surgery and some complications getting out of the hospital. This family has been friends with us for over twenty years when he used to be a co-worker with John. They are always giving and serving others, so I wanted to help them out. Even though they had two of their adult children (and families) living with them, I assured them I could amass a meal that would feed ALL of them.

I served this lovely Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole along with a Chicken Noodle Casserole, my wonderful Creamy Grape Salad, Greek Tomato Salad, Rapid Rise Italian Herb Bread, a batch of Fresh Cherry Muffins for breakfast and an Old-Fashioned Cherry Cobbler for dessert. They raved over the meal and stated how much they loved the broccoli. One of their daughters even exclaimed over how much she enjoyed the pearl onions. Put this delightful casserole on your menu soon and you’ll see how much it is enjoyed by all.

Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole has always been one of my favorite broccoli casserole recipes.

We have served this dish many times for the holidays and company and everyone always loves it!

Lots of broccoli and pearl onions are covered in a rich, thick creamy sauce. The sauce is topped with cheddar cheese and Italian bread crumbs. What a wonderful combination of flavors!

Here’s what I did.

I used these ingredients. I only used one jar of cocktail onions and two of the four bags of broccoli florets.

Place broccoli in a 9×13″ glass baking dish. 

Add pearl onions either from a jar or frozen. If the pearl onions come from a jar, rinse them very well in a colander before adding so you don’t have a strong brine taste.

Now make your sauce: Melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour.

Add cream about 1/8 cup at a time. 

Whisk after each addition of cream to incorporate all of it.

Cube your cream cheese and add to the sauce. Continue whisking until cream cheese dissolves.

Add salt and pepper and whisk to incorporate.

Cook over low heat until sauce thickens.

Pour sauce over top of casserole.

I use a heavy wooden spoon or spatula and move the sauce around so that it is stirred into the casserole somewhat.

This is what it looks like after I’ve stirred the cream sauce into the broccoli mixture.

Sprinkle the top with grated sharp cheddar cheese. Then lightly sprinkle the casserole with Italian style bread crumbs (not pictured).

Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for about an hour or until mixture is bubbly and cooked through. Remove foil and bake another 5-10 minutes to brown up the casserole slightly. 

Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole is so sumptuous.

We love the flavors of Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole. I served it with a Chicken Noodle Casserole.

To serve: Scoop out Broccoli with a large serving spoon and place on plates! Make sure you have enough room on your plate. You’re going to want a LOT of room for this casserole!

Here’s the recipe.

BROCCOLI AND PEARL ONION CASSEROLE

(Recipe inspired from Taste of Home Bountiful Harvest Cookbook)

Give this tasty broccoli casserole a try for your holiday festivities!

Each spoonful of Broccoli and Pearl Onion Casserole is so mouthwatering. It’s perfect to serve for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter dinners when you have a lot of company.

This is a wonderful, comfort food! My problem is I can eat this until the whole casserole all gone! It’s terrific served with Chicken Noodle Casserole.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Broccoli Bread

Corn ‘n Broccoli Bake

Healthy Broccoli Salad