This Cheesy Broccoli recipe has it all! It’s an easy, kid-friendly side dish you can serve with just about anything, and the homemade cheese sauce leaves the store-bought version in the dust. Ready in minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Recipe
- Broccoli in its Finest Form. Roasted Broccoli is fantastic, as is Air Fryer Broccoli. But broccoli with cheese is the ultimate! The best! The classic old-school broccoli side dish (it’s why everyone loves Broccoli Cheddar Soup!).
- For Real Cheese Sauce. No gloppy jarred cheese sauce here, friends! This recipe uses real cheddar cheese and milk to create a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes so much better than store-bought. (I promise it’s worth the extra effort.)
- Quick and Easy. Yes, even with the homemade sauce, this cheesy broccoli recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Pair it with a simple main dish like Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin for a dinner that’s practically effortless.
- A Side Dish Everyone Will Love. Kids will devour cheesy broccoli because that rich, creamy cheese sauce has a magical way of making even the most objectionable veggies more palatable. Adults will love it for that little hit of nostalgia—the same kind you get when eating a Meatloaf Sandwich or Chili Mac and Cheese.
5 Star Review
“This is so easy and delicious!”
— Tiffany —
Ingredients and Substitutions
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Broccoli. Buy a broccoli crown and cut it into florets, or buy a bag of pre-cut broccoli to save some prep time.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted butter, which gives you more control over the flavor.
- Flour. The base of our roux for the cheese sauce. You can make this cheesy broccoli gluten-free by using a measure-for-measure flour substitute.
- Milk. I used 1%, but whatever you have on hand is fine.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that keep it from melting super smoothly. For the smoothest, creamiest texture, shred your own cheese from a block.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese. Grated off a block for best results.
- Ground Mustard. Optional, but it helps balance the richness of the sauce and adds some depth.
- Cayenne. Don’t go overboard, but a little bit of cayenne brings some nice warmth to the sauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Prepare. Cut the broccoli into even florets and set them in a saucepan. Uniform sizes is key because it ensures all the broccoli is tender at the same time!
- Steam. To avoid mushy broccoli, take the pan off the heat as soon as it’s fork tender.
- Drain. Transfer to a bowl and cover.
- Start the Sauce. Make the butter and flour roux.
- Add the Milk. I like to pour a splash into the flour and butter, whisk until the mixture is entirely smooth, then pour in another splash and whisk until smooth. After that, I’ll slowly stream in the rest of the milk while whisking constantly. This helps keep lumps out of your cheese sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Add the Cheese. Do this slowly, just a little at a time.
- Finish the Sauce. Stir in the Parmesan, salt, and mustard and cayenne (if using).
- Add the Broccoli. Spoon the sauce over the broccoli, or add the broccoli to the pot and stir to coat. Season the cheesy broccoli to taste, then ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Use Different Cheese. Swap out cheddar for other types of cheese, such as gouda, fontina, or gruyere, for a twist on the original.
- Start With Frozen Broccoli. The homemade cheese sauce in this recipe is a fantastic way to jazz up frozen broccoli. Simply prepare the broccoli as instructed on the package and combine it with the cheese sauce.
- Try It With Cauliflower. Swap the broccoli for cauliflower, or use a combination of both.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover cheesy broccoli is excellent warmed up and spooned onto baked potatoes or Crock Pot Baked Potatoes!
What to Serve with Cheesy Broccoli
- Chicken. Dishes like Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Pan Fried Chicken Breast pair well with this cheesy broccoli recipe.
- Beef. Serve this broccoli with beef dishes like Air Fryer Steak or Instant Pot Roast for a well-balanced meal.
- Pork. Crock Pot Pork Chops, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, and Stuffed Pork Chops would also be fantastic with cheesy broccoli on the side.
- Classic Sides. If you want to add another side dish to your dinner, I suggest something simple like Roasted Potatoes and Carrots or Homemade Dinner Rolls.
Cheesy Broccoli
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Cheesy broccoli pairs tender broccoli with a rich homemade cheese sauce. This easy side dish makes eating your vegetables feel like a treat!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli cut into florets (about 6 cups florets)
- Water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk I used 1%
- ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus additional to taste
- Pinch ground mustard optional
- Pinch cayenne optional
Instructions
- Place the broccoli in a large saucepan. Cover with enough water to create a thin layer of water across the bottom of the pan (about 1 cup or so should do it; the broccoli itself will not be covered). Bring to a simmer over high heat, then cover the pan and let simmer until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the broccoli, then place in a bowl and cover to keep warm.
- With a towel, carefully wipe the pan dry. Add the butter and melt over medium-low. Once it melts, sprinkle the flour over the top. Whisk constantly until the flour turns golden, about 1 full minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Let simmer, whisking the entire time, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low. Working a small handful at a time, whisk in the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt fully between additions (if you add too much at once, the sauce will clump). Stir in the Parmesan, salt, and mustard and cayenne (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired (I add a pinch of extra salt). Serve the broccoli warm, with the cheese sauce over the top. Or, stir the broccoli gently into the sauce and serve it mixed.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate cheesy broccoli in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Heat leftovers in a skillet set over medium heat or in the microwave. If you’ve refrigerated the cheese sauce separately, you can warm that in the microwave or in a saucepan set over medium-low heat.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze cheesy broccoli in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator before heating.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgPotassium: 477mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1207IUVitamin C: 101mgCalcium: 285mgIron: 1mg
Simple but awesome recipe. I added bacon and ham to taste. It came out so flavorful and not salty at all, the taste was great. I made this without as much cheese because I’m not a huge fan of cheese but it was amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it, Chantal!
The Smell was awesome while cooking. Also added chicken as well as onion and garlic powder with the other seasonings. Had a little rice left over and added it to a small portion. Would make again, but maybe with a different cheese. Thank you!
Glad to hear, thank you Vanessa!
Great recipe. I left out the salt because 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. Came out really good.
Great to hear, thank you Francine!
This recipe is very similar to the dish served by the nuns at the college I attended. I never ate broccoli until college and this made me a convert to most vegetables. I will definitely try this recipe since the nuns also used real shredded cheese in their sauce. Thanks for the recipe!
Enjoy Barbara!
Can you use almond milk?
Hi Whitney, almond milk should work but might add a slightly different flavor to it then if using any other milk. Let us know how it goes!
This is so easy and delicious! I love easy dishes!
So great to hear, thank you Tiffany!
This is my kids’ absolute favorite. My toddler won’t eat plain broccoli but devours it in cheese sauce. I really appreciate that it only uses one pan, too. Between the five of us, there are no leftovers with this recipe.
So glad to hear! Thank you Christina!
Great recipe! Works well with frozen broccoli florets, cooked in microwave and added. Will make again,
So glad to hear, JD!