If you’re looking for the perfect side dish that’ll trick everyone at the table into liking broccoli, make this broccoli and cheese. Steamed broccoli gets tossed in an incredible (and easy!) cheese sauce, that’s ready in under 10, and so incredibly good!
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Broccoli Cheese Ingredients
This recipe is easy and forgiving, and I don’t say that often as I’m very particular about my recipe’s flavor, texture, etc. But this one, you can’t really go wrong with…
- Fresh vs. Frozen Broccoli? Were steaming the broccoli, so it doesn’t much matter! That said, I find fresh broccoli is easier to keep slightly crisp, while frozen almost always becomes mushy.
- Milk vs. Heavy Cream? Milk creates a lighter sauce, while heavy cream adds richness. The choice depends on personal and dietary preferences–if you’d prefer to use heavy cream, I’d use half a cup of cream plus half a cup of chicken broth.
- Cheddar vs. American Cheese? Cheddar offers a sharper flavor, while American cheese provides a creamier texture, and it melts more easily. We much prefer cheddar, but if you’d rather American feel free to sub it in.
Tweaks + Substitutions
- More veggies: Don’t just stop at broccoli–this cheese sauce is incredible on all your favorite roasted vegetables. Think roasted cauliflower, roasted zucchini, or roasted bell peppers.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use your favorite meltable cheeses, like gruyère, swiss, or Monterey jack.
- Spices: Enhance the flavor with a dash of paprika or garlic powder.
- Protein Addition: Turn this into a more substantial snack or meal by adding cooked chicken. You can also use this dish to make stuffed chicken breast, check out my broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken.
How to Make Broccoli and Cheese Sauce?
This recipe is as easy as they come. Here are step-by-step instructions with easy to follow photos to guide you:
- Steam the broccoli. Psst–you can also use roasted broccoli for a bit more flavor.
- Saute the garlic.
- Add the flour and toast.
- Add everything else and stir as it melts together.
- Drizzle sauce over broccoli.
Serving Suggestions
This broccoli and cheese makes for the perfect side dish, but is also easy to bulk up into a main course–here’s how!
- Side Dish: Serve as a delicious side alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish, or steak.
- Main Course: Transform it into a main dish by adding cooked pasta or shredded chicken.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped parsley, breadcrumbs, or crispy bacon for added texture and flavor.
More Veggie Sides
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash
Broccoli and Cheese
Print Recipe Pin RecipeServings :4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk full fat
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring water to a simmer in a medium sized saucepan. Add the broccoli and steam with the lid on until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Place steamed broccoli in a colander with foil on top to keep warm.
- Dump water (if any) from the saucepan, and add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic and saute. Once fragrant, add the flour. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute. Quickly add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and cheese. Stir the cheese sauce until everything melts together.
- Add the broccoli back to the pot and toss to coat. Serve warm, and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Calories: 257kcalTotal Carbohydrates: 15gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSodium: 1122mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gNet Carbs: 12g
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