Bear’s Den Bakes Broccoli Casserole for All Seasons

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WGMT) — Six to eight different meats, a dozen plus sides, and about the same amount in desserts are all things you can expect weekdays at Bear’s Den.

“A lot of it is the same recipes that I grew up eating, some of it has just been different people who have worked here over the years, a lot of trial and error,” said owner Kristi Lyles.

That trial and error has turned into 24 years of good home cooking, not just for Lyles, but most of middle Georgia too.

Lyles said, “I love working with my mom, I love that it’s a family business, we’re very blessed, we’ve had a lot of the same employees for a long time so we consider it a real family here.”

A family owned and operated business with customers who have becomes family over the years.

Loyal customer Bob Bryant said, “There’s nothing on the menu that I don’t like.”

Shanta Nixon is a regular customer who can’t get enough of the broccoli casserole.

“It’s great, it’s cheesy, I mean my god, you get it one time and you’re going to get it again,” said Nixon.

The recipe calls for a pound of fresh broccoli, chopped, cooked and drained. It’s combined with cheddar cheese, onions, margarine, cream soups and cooked rice. According to Lyles, it’s the crunchy-buttery topping that most folks always want more of after trying this dish.

“A lot of people love that, they’ll say ‘give me some of that, make sure you get some of the good topping,” Lyles said.

People who haven’t always liked broccoli, said this is an exception.

“It’s delicious to me,” said Bryant.

Customer Henry Cravey said he has only one complaint.

“Sometimes you come in here at 12:30 and you can’t find a place to sit,” said Cravey.

Bear’s Den is located at 1191 Oglethorpe Street Macon, GA 31201.

Bear’s Den Broccoli Casserole Recipe:
1 pound fresh broccoli (chopped, cooked and drained)
8 ounces shredded cheddar
1/2 chopped onions
1/2 cup melted margarine
1 small can cream of mushroom soup
1 small can cream of chicken soup
1 cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
Mix well all above ingredients in casserole dish

Topping:
2 cups crushed saltines
1/2 cup melted margarine
Mix and sprinkle on top

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes.