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. Whether it’s stirred into 15 minute broccoli mac and cheese or slow-cooked into cozy crockpot cheesy chicken and broccoli, this duo is the secret weapon for winning over picky eaters — and sneaking in those veggies without anyone putting up a fight.
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!
The kids won’t be able to resist this quick broccoli and cheese side dish. If they really love it, then you’ll definitely have to try my Cheesy Cauliflower, Cheesy Brussels Sprouts and Cheesy Cauliflower!
How to boil broccoli
First, we have to cook the broccoli. This can always be done later on if you prefer to cook the cheese sauce ahead of time.
To boil the broccoli:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the broccoli florets, turn down the heat, and cook until it’s 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!
- 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.
Pin for later:
Cheesy Broccoli with Cheddar
PrintIngredients
- 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!
Joe says
why need to put flour? Is it a must? thanks
Pamela Reed says
Hey Joe, the flour will help thicken the cheese sauce so it’s more creamy, and less runny so it doesn’t run right off the broccoli.
Rita Cook says
I would like to serve this at a soup kitchen. Do you have any recommendations on how to make this ahead for about 75 people and then how to rewarm it?
Pamela Reed says
Hey Rita, do you have a couple crockpots (or ask a few friends/neighbors?)? If so you could add the cheesy broccoli to them once cooked and keep on “warm” while serving. There is also buffet warmers that can help! Hope this helps!
Linda Robertson says
Can you freeze this recipe?
Pamela Reed says
Yes, you sure can! Just allow it to cool before you freeze it. Thaw in the refrigerator, or pop in the microwave to defrost. Hope this helps!
Denise says
Great recipe. I left out the salt bc my little one isn’t into too much salt or flavor and I added pasta to make it as close to mac & cheese as possible. I did have a hard time with the smoothness bc of the flour. What can you do to minimize the graininess from the flour? I mixed it according to the instructions but it still wasn’t smooth enough. Still yummy, tho. Thanks!
Deja says
Melt the butter first then add flour slowly while whisking it 😉
Courtney says
Does the broccoli supposed to be half raw?
Pamela says
The broccoli should be tender after you boil it, a fork should easily be able to slide in.
Sarah says
My family loved it! Next time I will double the broccoli. The cheese sauce part went a long way.
Faith says
Super simple and came out awesome!
Daniel M Winyard says
My Wife and kids loved this recipe thank you!!!!
Pamela says
So happy to hear that, thanks for commenting Daniel! 🙂
Andi Fitts says
this recipe was delicious and my whole family liked it, it was gone within 5 seconds! Everyone asked for more!
Holly says
Consistency was good for the cheese but I feel like it needed more flavor. Next time I think I will season with Tony’s for more flavor. Good recipe, thanks for sharing
Smorty says
This was so easy and delicious. I used frozen broccoli. I soaked it for 5 min in water, drained it, then added it to the cheese sauce and heated it through.