Broccoli and cheese is the most universal pairing of two amazing flavors!
This classic, cheesy recipe takes broccoli to the next level; everyone likes it! Don’t be afraid to make a homemade cheese sauce, it’s super easy!
Yummy Cheesy Side Dish
Broccoli and Cheese is a match made in heaven and goes well with so many entrees. Try it with breaded pork chops, baked chicken breast, or meatloaf!
I cook this all in one pan to make it easy with less mess!
This side dish will quickly be a favorite, especially with the kids!
The sauce is quick, easy and homemade cheesy!
Ingredients & Variations
Broccoli and cheese is perfect just on its own, but switching up a few add-ins is perfectly okay!
BROCCOLI Fresh, crisp pieces of broccoli are steamed in a pan. Frozen can be used as well, whatever you have on hand (add cauliflower if you’d like)!
SAUCE Milk, cornstarch, cheddar and parmesan, and salt & pepper are all that’s needed to make this cheesy sauce!
VARIATIONS Steam carrots or mushrooms with the broccoli to use up any fresh veggies you may have! Why not add some frozen diced veggies or some crumbled bacon bits on the top of the cheese?
How to Steam Broccoli
This recipe uses a shortcut way to steam/simmer the broccoli.
- Rinse pieces of broccoli and trim stems towards the floret part of the vegetable.
- Add broccoli to a shallow pan with a bit of water.
- Bring to a simmer and cover for a few minutes (per recipe below).
Remove the broccoli from the pan, discard the bit of water and make the sauce in the same pan. Easy peasy!
How to Make Cheese Sauce
This cheese sauce is insanely easy and totally no-fail.
- Whisk milk and corn starch in a skillet (per recipe below).
- Place the skillet on the heat and whisk until milk is thickened.
- Once thickened add cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper
Tips
- Start with fresh broccoli that is trimmed, cleaned, and of uniform size for even cooking.
- Whisk the cheese sauce slowly so that all the ingredients are fully incorporated and cook the cheese sauce on a low heat.
More Broccoli Favorites
- Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
- Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch
- Broccoli Salad
- Creamy Broccoli Slaw
- Beef and Broccoli
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
Did your kids love this Broccoli and Cheese recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Quick Broccoli and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli
- 1 cup water
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Wash broccoli and place it in a non-stick skillet. Add 1 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
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Cover broccoli and steam 3-5 minutes. Remove & place in a bowl. Cover to keep warm.
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Whisk milk and cornstarch together in a bowl. Pour into the skillet and whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens.
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Turn heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until smooth.
-
Season with salt & pepper and serve over broccoli.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
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This recipe seems very simple and easy I’m gonna give it a try now. However, I’m lactose so I’d be using almond milk since that’s what I drink instead of regular milk. Do you think it’ll still be the same?
It will change the flavor slightly but other than that, it should work just fine!
Wonderful and easy recipe! Economical too!
it would be nice if we could save these on our home screen.
Hi Wendy, on every recipe there is a little heart icon the top right or on the recipe itself that allows you to save the recipe. So next time you visit our website you can see all your saved recipes. I hope that helps!
Great recipe – my only complaint is this: you have to let the broccoli sit and drain (according to what I’ve read, for about an hour). So first time making it, it came out runny – oops. Otherwise, the cheese sauce is delicious
Hi Katie, make sure to steam and not boil the broccoli. That should help make it less runny!
wow.. this was yummy. we had it with grilled chicken and rice. I will do this for a side dish at fellowship lunch. so quick I can do this on-site for a fresh serving. thank you for sharing.
I think young kids would like dipping broccoli in their own little cup of sauce.
That sounds like such a fun idea!
Cheese sauce was too “floury” and gritty. I’d reduce amount of corn starch.
Sorry the cheese sauce didn’t work out for you, Katty! You can definitely reduce the amount of cornstarch, but just keep in mind the cheese sauce won’t be as thick.
Delicious and so simple!
G’day Holly! It’s a cold wet winter down here in Perth, West Australia and I stumbled across this while searching for broccoli and cheese recipes. I usually do cauliflower and cheese but had an excess of broccoli. How easy was this! I added a spoon of dijon mustard for extra depth….superb and easy to make and such a warming side dish on such a cold winters night! Cheers.
So glad you loved it Dean, Dijon would be great in this!
I love this recipe! It’s my first time making this dish and I will make it regularly! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe as much as we do Monica!
I made this last night for dinner. This is a definite keeper! My husband and I enjoyed it so much we had no leftovers. I’ll definitely be trying this with other veggies and introducing it to my grandkids. We’ll done!
This recipe is always a hit with kids! I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe Cynthia!
Great Post ! about the Yummy Cheesy Side Dish, Keep Sharing
Just tried this recipe it was delicious.
So happy to hear that, Renae! Glad you enjoyed it.
Quick and easy indeed!
My husband loved it! Thanks for this recipe.
Yay, so happy your husband enjoyed this recipe! :)
Ha just give him the cheese next time so he can dip it with meat or other dippable food items mm garlic bread yum!