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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Broccoli and Cheese Sauce

Published: Dec 19, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · 5 Comments

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Plate of broccoli with text: How to make broccoli cheese.
Plate of broccoli with text: Easy Broccoli Cheese.

This easy broccoli and cheese sauce is quick and will get the whole family eating their greens! You only need 10 minutes and 5 simple ingredients for this tasty side dish.

Close up of cheese sauce for broccoli.
Easy Broccoli Cheese Sauce

Looking for a tasty way to get the family to eat their greens? Try Broccoli Cheese Sauce!

Because cheese sauce makes everything better, right? Well, maybe not cake.

But as most parents know, a little cheese sauce turns broccoli (or cauliflower or many other vegetables!) into something super tasty.

When I was young, my parents often slathered the humble cruciferous vegetable in a cheese sauce for broccoli. And now I do it myself for my kids.

It's ready in just 10 minutes, everyone tucks into a hearty side dish of broccoli and no complaints. Win-win.

If you love cheesy veggies, you'll also love Cauliflower Cheese, Spinach Goat Cheese Pasta, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, and Cheesy Leeks!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments
Looking down at a table with a plate of cheese sauce on broccoli.

Ingredients

You only need 5 simple ingredients to whip up this cheese sauce for broccoli!

  • Broccoli - I prefer using fresh broccoli, but you can substitute cooked frozen broccoli instead.
  • Cheese - Cheddar is perfect in a cheese sauce for broccoli, but you could try changing the flavor with mozzarella, gruyere, Monterey Jack etc...
  • Milk - For a nice rich cheese sauce, use whole milk.
  • Flour - plain, all-purpose flour thickens the cheese sauce.
  • Butter - Butter is a rich base for the sauce. If you don't have any, olive oil will work too.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Broccoli and cheese sauce is super easy to make. Don't be worried about making a homemade cheese sauce from scratch, it's actually very simple. Follow these instructions for a perfect side dish.

First, you'll need to cook the broccoli. Cut it into florets, then add it to a pot of boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until cooked, then drain. To steam instead: add the broccoli to a steamer over a pot of simmering water. Cover with a lid and steam for about 5 minutes or until just tender.

How to make cheese sauce.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Whisk the milk in, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth. Whisk in the cheese until it melts.

Pouring cheese sauce onto steamed broccoli.

Serve the cooked broccoli topped with the cheese sauce.

Substitutions

  • Cauliflower: swap the broccoli for cauliflower, or use a mix of the two. Brussels sprouts work great too!
  • Cheese: try using a different type of cheese instead of cheddar. Mozzarella, gruyere, Monterey Jack, or any meltable cheese will work.
  • Vegan: Use dairy free butter and milk in the cheese sauce, and substitute the cheese for a dairy free cheese or use a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

Variations

  • Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to add a kick to the cheese sauce.
  • Spread the broccoli and cheese sauce into a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese and bake until golden.
  • Try it with a mix of cheeses for lots of great flavor.
  • For a more sophisticated taste, add a dash of truffle oil to the cheese sauce.

Storage

Store: Leftover broccoli cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat: You can reheat this dish in the microwave, or store them separately and heat the cheese sauce in a pot on medium-low heat, stirring often, until heated. You might need to add a splash of milk.

Freeze: These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing once cooked and combined.

Table with a serving dish of broccoli with cheese sauce.

FAQ

What is the best cheese sauce for broccoli?

Your basic cheddar cheese sauce is the best for broccoli. It's easy and tastes great on broccoli.

📖 Recipe

Close up of a plate of broccoli cheese.

Broccoli Cheese Sauce

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This easy broccoli cheese sauce is quick and tasty! You only need 10 minutes and 5 simple ingredients for this side dish.
5 from 7 votes
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Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 209 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 large head of broccoli 1 pound, 450g
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour plain flour
  • 1 cup milk 235ml
  • 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese 100g

Instructions
 

  • Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
  • Cut it into florets, then add it to a pot of boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until cooked, then drain. To steam instead: add the broccoli to a steamer over a pot of simmering water. Cover with a lid and steam for about 5 minutes or until just tender (pierce a large piece with a knife, it should be tender but not soggy). Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
  • Whisk the milk in, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth.
  • Whisk in the cheese until it melts.
  • Serve the cooked broccoli topped with the cheese sauce.

Notes

Substitutions
  • Cauliflower: swap the broccoli for cauliflower, or use a mix of the two. Brussels sprouts work great too!
  • Cheese: try using a different type of cheese instead of cheddar. Mozzarella, gruyere, Monterey Jack, or any meltable cheese will work.
  • Vegan: Use dairy free butter and milk in the cheese sauce, and substitute the cheese for a dairy free cheese or use a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
Variations
  • Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to add a kick to the cheese sauce.
  • Spread the broccoli and cheese sauce into a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese and bake until golden.
  • Try it with a mix of cheeses for lots of great flavor.
  • For a more sophisticated taste, add a dash of truffle oil to the cheese sauce.
Store: Leftover broccoli cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat: You can reheat this dish in the microwave, or store them separately and heat the cheese sauce in a pot on medium-low heat, stirring often, until heated. You might need to add a splash of milk.
Freeze: These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing once cooked and combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 264mgPotassium: 408mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1108IUVitamin C: 90mgCalcium: 298mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Tayler

    January 05, 2023 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    My kids absolutely love this cheese sauce! I've made it several times and it always turns out perfectly!

    Reply
  2. Gloria

    January 05, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade sauces are the best. This cheese sauce is perfect for so many things. I could eat it by the spoonful.

    Reply
  3. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

    January 05, 2023 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favourite dishes and I really like to use a combination of broccoli and cauliflower. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Gina Abernathy

    December 28, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce was right on time. Made broccoli tonight and it needed just a little something else.. Cheese sauce. YUM!

    Reply
  5. Beth

    December 22, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    Broccoli cheese is the kids favourite vegetable side! This is such an easy recipe to follow!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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