Looking for the best kid-friendly side dish? This Cheesy Broccoli recipe takes minutes to put together and is a delicious way to eat your veggies! After all, everything is better when it’s covered in cheese sauce.
The best broccoli and cheese recipe
Cheese and broccoli? Total soulmates. This duo is the secret weapon for winning over picky eaters — and sneaking in those veggies without anyone putting up a fight. There’s just something magical about a bowl of creamy broccoli with cheese sauce — or its equally delicious cousin, Cheesy Cauliflower — that makes everyone happy at the dinner table.
If you’re desperate to serve your kids some vegetables, this Cheesy Broccoli recipe has your back. Simple blanched broccoli is mixed into a homemade easy cheese sauce to transform a regularly boring side into something irresistible!
If your family can’t get enough of this dish, don’t stop here! Check out more kid-friendly broccoli recipes like my Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli with Cheddar — it’s one of those dinners that disappears fast.
First Step: Soften the broccoli
First, we have to cook the broccol to soften it for this broccoli with cheese sauce recipe.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the broccoli florets and and cook until they’re fork tender.
- Drain and set the broccoli aside.
How to make homemade cheese sauce
Now comes the fun part! Making homemade cheese sauce on the stove is super easy and always turns out amazing. It’s ready to eat in just a few minutes:
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the garlic.
Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper.
Pour the milk into the pan and whisk until smooth.
To finish, add the shredded cheese and stir until it melts and the mixture is creamy.
Add the cooked broccoli florets into the cheese sauce and stir to fully coat. Serve and enjoy!
Tips and substitutions
- Instead of boiling – The broccoli can be steamed, sauteed, or oven roasted broccoli instead of boiled if you prefer.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese is best when making cheese sauce but you can also use white cheddar or mozzarella if you want to make a white cheese sauce.
- No fresh broccoli at home? Frozen broccoli works just as well! Just make sure to cook it first.
- Add more veggies – Add all the veggies you like to the broccoli, like carrots, cauliflower, green beans, corn, or brussels sprouts.
- Toppings – Make this broccoli cheese recipe extra flavorful with fun toppings, like crumbled bacon, shaved parmesan cheese, crushed almonds, or chopped green onions.
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy again, just reheat in the microwave or warm them up on the stovetop until heated through.
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Ingredients
- ▢ 2 large heads broccoli chopped up into florets, about 7 cups
- ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- ▢ 1 1/4 cup milk
- ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets, reduce heat to medium and boil for 8 minutes, or until softened. Drain broccoli.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter with garlic. Stir in flour, salt and pepper and mix for 1 minute. Add milk in and whisk until smooth. Add shredded cheese and mix until cheese is completely melted and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets into cheese sauce and stir to fully coat. Cook for 2 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Cheesy Broccoli with Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 large heads broccoli chopped up into florets, about 7 cups
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets, reduce heat to medium and boil for 8 minutes, or until softened. Drain broccoli.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter with garlic. Stir in flour, salt and pepper and mix for 1 minute. Add milk in and whisk until smooth. Add shredded cheese and mix until cheese is completely melted and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets into cheese sauce and stir to fully coat. Cook for 2 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Created by Pamela Reed for brooklynfarmgirl.com
