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    Home » What We're Eating » Broccoli and Cheese

    Broccoli and Cheese

    Published: Nov 8, 2020 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Front shot of broccoli and cheese sauce with text title overlay
    Long collage image of Broccoli and Cheese
    Bowl of velveeta broccoli and cheese with a text title overlay
    Close up shot of broccoli and velveeta cheese in a bowl with text title overlay

    Broccoli and Cheese is a quick and easy side dish recipe that even your kids will devour! After all, the smooth and creamy homemade Velveeta cheese sauce dresses up just about any vegetables or potatoes, making them a delicious and flavorful addition to your next meal.

    Close up side shot of broccoli and velveeta cheese sauce in a bowl

    Velveeta Broccoli and Cheese

    Broccoli and cheese are truly a match made in heaven! Whether you combine these two ingredients in a soup, for a casserole, in a salad, or stuffed in a potato, this popular combination never disappoints. A creamy Velveeta cheese sauce for broccoli is the best way to encourage your family members to eat something green, or to just mix it up if you're tired of boring steamed broccoli! The quick, versatile side dish is delicious alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, meatloaf and pork chops.

    The Best Cheese for Cheese Sauce

    I always use Velveeta cheese to make this creamy, cheesy sauce, but you can substitute with another similar brand of American cheese. American cheese is a type of processed "cheese" made from cheddar, Colby, or other similar cheeses. It has a mild, creamy and salty flavor, a low melting point, and blends smoothly into sauces -- making it ideal for this recipe. You can substitute with grated cheddar, but I find that the Velveeta melts best and creates the smoothest sauce.

    How to Make Broccoli and Cheese

    This easy side dish comes together in about 15 minutes from start to finish! While the broccoli steams, you'll whisk together the sauce on the stovetop. That's about as simple as it gets...

    Ingredients

    • Broccoli florets (fresh or frozen will both work)
    • Salt and pepper
    • Butter
    • All-purpose flour
    • Milk
    • American cheese

    How to Steam Broccoli -- The Easy Way

    First, steam the broccoli florets. While you can do so in a steamer basket on the stovetop, I think it's even easier to steam the broccoli in the microwave. Just place the florets in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water, cover, and microwave on HIGH for 6-8 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain the liquid from the broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and then transfer to a serving dish.

    Bowl of steamed broccoli

    Prepare Velveeta Cheese Sauce

    While the broccoli is cooking, whisk together the cheese sauce on the stovetop.

    Process shot showing how to make velveeta cheese sauce for broccoli and cauliflower

    Spoon Cheese Over Broccoli

    Top the cooked broccoli with the creamy cheese and serve!

    Pouring cheese sauce on top of steamed broccoli

    What meat goes well with broccoli and cheese sauce?

    This easy and versatile side dish goes well with almost any of your favorite meat entrees. Here are a few options to try:

    • Grilled Steak or Steak Tips
    • Ribeye Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet
    • Fried Chicken
    • Roasted Chicken
    • Meatloaf
    • Turkey Breast
    • Salisbury Steak
    • Oven Fried Breaded Pork Chops

    More Ways to Use the Cheese Sauce

    This cheese sauce is delicious on almost any of your favorite vegetables -- not just broccoli. Spoon it over cauliflower, green beans, asparagus and baked potatoes. Serve the sauce for dipping with soft pretzels, use it on tortilla chips to make nachos, or spoon it on a hot roast beef sandwich or French Dip!

    Horizontal shot of a bowl of broccoli and cheese

    Recipe Variations

    • For an even faster shortcut and one less dish to clean, purchase a package of frozen steam-in-bag broccoli florets. Cook the frozen broccoli according to the package instructions, season with salt and pepper, and top with the homemade cheese sauce.
    • Roast the broccoli in the oven instead of steaming. To do so, toss the florets in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet in a 450 degree F oven until crisp-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Finish with the cheese sauce.
    • Season the broccoli with additional herbs or spices before adding the cheese sauce. Garlic powder, all-purpose seasoning, Cajun seasoning, thyme, parsley, oregano or chives would all be delicious.

    Tips for the Best Broccoli and Cheese Recipe

    • Cut the broccoli florets into uniform bite-size pieces so that they cook evenly in the same amount of time.
    • Keep the cheese sauce warm and stir regularly until ready to use. The sauce starts to firm up as it cools, so it's not as smooth and creamy. Serve immediately, if possible.
    • Use American cheese (such as Velveeta brand) for the smoothest, creamiest cheese sauce.
    Velveeta broccoli and cheese in a bowl with a serving spoon

    More Vegetable Sides to Try

    • Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    • Amish Green Beans in Brown Butter
    • Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
    • Creamed Peas
    • Easy Green Bean Casserole
    Close up side shot of broccoli and velveeta cheese sauce in a bowl
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Broccoli and Cheese

    A quick and easy side dish recipe that even your kids will devour!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Keyword broccoli and cheese, broccoli and cheese sauce, velveeta broccoli and cheese
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes
    Servings 4 - 6 people
    Calories 146kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 head)
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup milk
    • 6 ounces American cheese (such as Velveeta), cut into small cubes or grated

    Instructions

    • Place broccoli florets in a large microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 6-8 minutes, or just until crisp-tender. Drain; season with salt and pepper.
    • Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese; cook, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
    • Place steamed broccoli in a serving bowl and top with cheese sauce.

    Notes

    This cheese sauce is delicious on almost any of your favorite vegetables -- not just broccoli. Spoon it over cauliflower, green beans, asparagus and baked potatoes. Use the sauce for dipping with soft pretzels, add some spicy seasoning and use it on tortilla chips to make nachos, or spoon it on a hot roast beef sandwich or French Dip!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/6 of the broccoli and sauce | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 813IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 238mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cameron

      January 30, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      Fantastic Teenage Cutie Enjoys Hot Sex

      Reply
    2. Kelly

      April 20, 2021 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy and delicious. I actually got my family to eat it over steamed broccoli!

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 20, 2021 at 8:03 pm

        Perfect! I'm so glad that it was a hit, Kelly. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply

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