Stouffer’s is a popular frozen food brand that produces a variety of frozen prepared meals, side dishes, and desserts. One of their most well-known product lines is their frozen casserole entrees. Stouffer’s offers classics like macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, and lasagna. However, one casserole variety that Stouffer’s does not currently produce is a broccoli casserole.
Overview of Stouffer’s
Stouffer’s was founded in 1922 by James and Abraham Stouffer. The company began selling their prepared foods through restaurants before eventually expanding into retail frozen foods. Today, Stouffer’s produces frozen meals, pizzas, breakfast foods, soups, side dishes and desserts. Some of their most popular offerings include macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, lasagna, chicken pot pie and creamed spinach.
Stouffer’s is now owned by the Nestlé company. Their foods are available through major grocery chains and retail outlets in the United States and Canada. Stouffer’s kitchens and manufacturing facilities are located in Ohio, Arkansas, Florida and Canada.
Stouffer’s Casserole Selections
Stouffer’s produces a wide variety of frozen casserole dishes. Some of their most popular casserole offerings include:
Macaroni and Cheese
This classic baked macaroni and cheese features elbow pasta, a creamy cheese sauce and a topping of breadcrumbs. It’s one of Stouffer’s signature dishes.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chunks of chicken, peas, carrots and corn in a creamy sauce topped with a golden, flaky crust.
Meatloaf
Savory meatloaf with gravy, topped with crispy onions.
Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Layers of noodles, cheese and meat sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Salisbury Steak
Ground beef patties in brown gravy, with onions, carrots and peas.
Swedish Meatballs
Beef meatballs in a creamy gravy with a hint of lingonberry flavor.
| Casserole | Description |
|---|---|
| Macaroni and Cheese | Elbow pasta in creamy cheese sauce topped with breadcrumbs |
| Chicken Pot Pie | Chicken, vegetables and creamy sauce with a flaky crust |
| Meatloaf | Savory meatloaf topped with crispy onions and gravy |
| Lasagna with Meat Sauce | Layers of pasta, cheese and meat sauce |
| Salisbury Steak | Beef patties in gravy with vegetables |
| Swedish Meatballs | Meatballs in creamy gravy with lingonberry flavor |
Does Stouffer’s Make Broccoli Casserole?
After reviewing Stouffer’s current product lineup, it appears they do not offer a pre-made frozen broccoli casserole entree. None of their packaging or website nutritional information makes any mention of a broccoli casserole.
While broccoli casserole is certainly a popular comfort food side dish, it is not one of the casserole varieties that Stouffer’s has chosen to mass produce and distribute on a nationwide scale.
Other Broccoli Dishes by Stouffer’s
While they don’t make a broccoli casserole, Stouffer’s does produce some other dishes featuring broccoli:
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Stuffing
- Roasted Chicken Breast with Broccoli & Cheese Sauce
- Salisbury Steak with Broccoli in Gravy
So while broccoli is included as an ingredient in select Stouffer’s items, a standalone broccoli casserole does not currently appear to be part of their product portfolio.
What Goes into a Broccoli Casserole?
Since Stouffer’s doesn’t make their own broccoli casserole, what exactly goes into making a classic broccoli casserole dish? Here are some of the key ingredients:
Broccoli
Chopped broccoli florets are the star ingredient. Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used.
Cheese Sauce
A creamy, cheesy sauce binds everything together. Cheddar, American, Velveeta or a blend of shredded cheeses are commonly used.
Rice or Pasta
Rice or pasta is often included to make the casserole more substantial. White rice or egg noodles are popular choices.
Binding Ingredients
Eggs, mayonnaise or condensed soup help hold the casserole together.
Topping
Crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, fried onions or additional shredded cheese make a tasty topping.
Seasonings
Salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder add important flavor. Paprika or parsley provide color and flavor as well.
How Stouffer’s Could Make a Broccoli Casserole
If Stouffer’s were to add a broccoli casserole to their line-up in the future, how might they formulate it? Here is one possibility:
Ingredients
– Chopped broccoli florets
– Cooked egg noodles
– Creamy cheddar cheese sauce
– Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses
– Chopped yellow onion
– Fresh parsley
– Salt, pepper, garlic powder
– Mayonnaise or condensed cream of mushroom soup as a binder
– Buttery round cracker topping
Process
Stouffer’s large-scale kitchens would first cook the egg noodles until just tender and drain them. They would use their proprietary process to create a smooth, creamy cheese sauce using real cheddar cheese, milk, butter and seasonings. The broccoli would be briefly cooked or steamed to maintain texture and color.
In industrial mixing vessels, they would combine the noodles, broccoli, cheeses, seasonings and binder until well incorporated. The mixture would then be portioned into aluminum baking trays, topped with crushed butter crackers and frozen.
For consumers, the broccoli casserole could be baked straight from frozen in conventional or microwave ovens. The result would be a convenient, yet homemade-tasting broccoli casserole.
Consumer Demand for a Stouffer’s Broccoli Casserole
There appears to be noticeable demand among consumers for Stouffer’s to come out with a broccoli casserole option.
Searching social media reveals many posts and comments from people inquiring about or requesting a Stouffer’s broccoli casserole:
| Platform | Sample Comments |
|---|---|
| “You should make a broccoli casserole!” | |
| “Do you make a broccoli casserole like your mac n cheese one? Please say yes!” | |
| “I’m craving broccoli casserole. Please make this!” |
There are also multiple online petitions with hundreds of signatures lobbying Stouffer’s to come out with a broccoli casserole variety. This indicates clear interest and demand from consumers for Stouffer’s to expand their casserole portfolio.
Conclusion
In summary, while Stouffer’s offers a broad selection of frozen casseroles, a broccoli casserole is not currently part of their product line-up. Broccoli casserole is a well-loved comfort food side dish combining broccoli, cheese, noodles or rice and a creamy sauce or binder. Customers have expressed interest in Stouffer’s developing their own version. The company certainly has the capabilities to manufacture a convenient frozen broccoli casserole meal if they choose to add it to their portfolio in the future. For now, broccoli casserole fans will have to rely on homemade recipes or other brands to get their fix.