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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
FAQ
Your basic cheddar cheese sauce is the best for broccoli. It's easy and tastes great on broccoli.
📖 Recipe
Broccoli Cheese Sauce
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
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
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.
Tayler
My kids absolutely love this cheese sauce! I've made it several times and it always turns out perfectly!
Gloria
Homemade sauces are the best. This cheese sauce is perfect for so many things. I could eat it by the spoonful.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This is one of my favourite dishes and I really like to use a combination of broccoli and cauliflower. Thanks!
Gina Abernathy
This sauce was right on time. Made broccoli tonight and it needed just a little something else.. Cheese sauce. YUM!
Beth
Broccoli cheese is the kids favourite vegetable side! This is such an easy recipe to follow!