Learn how to make the best broccoli cheese sauce for baked potatoes with this easy recipe. The ingredients are simple, and there is even a no-fuss way to keep it warm for serving at a baked potato bar. Ready to make the most creamy broccoli cheese sauce for baked potatoes? Read on for the supplies, ingredients, and directions.
Table of Contents
My Broccoli Cheese Sauce Backstory
As with some of the other easy recipes I’ve shared, this recipe came about as the result of having to contribute something to a potluck. It was a staff potluck for a baked potato bar at school, and I was late signing up. Most of the obvious toppings had been taken, but there was something missing. Homemade broccoli cheese sauce! The problem was, I hadn’t ever made broccoli cheese sauce from scratch. I had steamed broccoli and put cheese on top, and I had made cheese sauce. How hard could it be to put the two together? Not difficult at all, as it turns out. I used a basic white sauce recipe, added some cheese, steamed some broccoli, then presto! This easy recipe for simple broccoli cheese sauce for baked potatoes was born, and now I’m sharing it with you.
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Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe Equipment
To make this broccoli cheese sauce for baked potatoes, you will need some basic kitchen equipment, but nothing fancy. Here are the things you will need:
1 sharp knife for cutting the broccoli
1 microwave-safe covered casserole dish
1 small crock pot (optional, but great to have if you are serving this broccoli cheese sauce at a baked potato bar)
Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients for this broccoli cheese sauce recipe are pretty basic. If you are not able to find dry mustard, a squirt of regular mustard may be substituted. This broccoli cheese sauce may be made with cheddar cheese or a variety of other cheeses you may have on hand.
1 head of broccoli (with enough flowerets for 2 cups)
4 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard
1 cup of grated cheddar or American cheese (you can also create a custom blend of sharp cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere, or other favorite cheese)
2 cups of milk
Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe Directions
To make the best broccoli cheese sauce for baked potatoes, begin by washing the broccoli, removing outer leaves and tough parts of stalks. Cut into 1/2 inch flowerets and measure out 2 cups. Place the flowerets into a casserole dish and add 2 tablespoons of water. Put the lid on the dish and microwave on high (the usual default setting) for 8 minutes.
Grate 1 cup of cheese and set aside.
While the broccoli is cooking, melt the butter over low heat in the saucepan, stirring with the wooden spoon. Blend in the flour and seasonings, stirring and cooking over low heat until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the milk. Return to the stovetop and heat the mixture to boiling over medium heat. Keep cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese until it is melted. Drain the cooked broccoli and add it to the cheese sauce. Serve immediately or refrigerate for serving later. The sauce will thicken even more as it cools. If you refrigerated it, you will want to heat it up before serving, either warming it in the microwave or placing it in a small crock pot if it will be part of a baked potato bar. This recipe for broccoli cheese sauce makes about 8 1/2 cup servings.
Common Broccoli Cheese Sauce Questions
How does a cheese sauce become thick and smooth?
A cheese sauce becomes thick and smooth through a combination of ingredients and cooking techniques. As in this recipe, it involves melting cheese into a sauce made from a base such as butter or a roux (a mixture of flour and fat), and liquid (such as milk or cream) while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. The proteins in the cheese help thicken the sauce, while constant stirring ensures a smooth texture.
What if my broccoli cheese sauce is too thick?
If your broccoli cheese sauce is too thick to serve over baked potatoes, consider stirring in more milk. Preferably, this is done while the sauce is warm so the smooth, creamy consistency of the sauce will remain.
Why do broccoli and cheese go together?
Broccoli and cheese complement each other well because they have contrasting flavors and textures that balance each other out. The mild, slightly sweet flavor of broccoli pairs nicely with the rich, savory taste of cheese. Additionally, the creamy texture of cheese sauce can help soften the sometimes crisp texture of broccoli florets, creating a satisfying contrast in both taste and mouthfeel.
Broccoli Cheese Sauce Variations
There are numerous variations of broccoli cheese sauce, depending on personal taste and culinary preferences. Here are a few variations you might like to try:
Spicy Broccoli Cheese Sauce: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
Creamy Broccoli Cheese Sauce with Bacon: Crumble cooked bacon into the cheese sauce for added richness and smoky flavor.
Broccoli Cheese Sauce with Herbs: Stir in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley for a burst of freshness and additional flavor.
Garlic Broccoli Cheese Sauce: Sauté minced garlic in butter before adding it to the cheese sauce for extra depth of flavor.
Broccoli Blue Cheese Sauce: Substitute some or all of the cheddar cheese with crumbled blue cheese for a bold and tangy variation.
Broccoli Cheese Sauce with Spicy Mustard: Stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard for a tangy and slightly spicy flavor boost.
Broccoli Cheese Sauce for Baked Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 microwave-safe covered casserole dish
- 1 cheese grater
- 1 small (1 quart) crock pot optional
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli (with enough flowerets for 2 cups)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 cup grated cheddar or American cheese (freshly grated is best)
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli, removing outer leaves and tough parts of stalks.
- Cut into 1/2 inch flowerets and measure out 2 cups.
- Place the flowerets into a casserole dish and add 2 tablespoons of water.
- Put the lid on the dish and microwave on high (the usual default setting) for 8 minutes.
- Grate 1 cup of cheddar or American cheese. Set aside.
- While the broccoli is cooking, melt the butter over low heat in the saucepan, stirring with the wooden spoon.
- Blend in the flour and seasonings, stirring and cooking over low heat until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the milk.
- Return to the stovetop and heat the mixture to boiling over medium heat. Keep cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese until it is melted.
- Drain the cooked broccoli and add it to the cheese sauce.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for serving later.
- If refrigerated, heat before serving, either warming it in the microwave or placing it in a small crock pot if it will need to be part of a baked potato bar.
Notes
Other Foods to Top with Broccoli Cheese Sauce
In addition to baked potatoes, broccoli cheese sauce may be used to top a variety of other foods. Here are some ideas:
Steamed Vegetables: Pour broccoli cheese sauce over steamed vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for a flavorful side dish.
Grilled or Roasted Chicken: Serve grilled or roasted chicken breasts or thighs with a drizzle of broccoli cheese sauce for a delicious main course.
Pasta: Broccoli cheese sauce for pasta is a classic combination. Toss cooked pasta with broccoli cheese sauce for a creamy and comforting pasta dish. Add some cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Nachos: Drizzle broccoli cheese sauce over nachos along with your favorite toppings like black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, and sour cream for a tasty snack or appetizer.
Burgers or Sandwiches: Use broccoli cheese sauce as a topping for burgers or sandwiches to add creaminess and flavor. It works especially well with grilled chicken sandwiches or veggie burgers.
Steak: Serve grilled steak with a dollop of broccoli cheese sauce on top for a luxurious twist on a classic dish.
Baked Casseroles: Incorporate broccoli cheese sauce into baked casseroles like macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice, or potato gratin for extra creaminess and flavor.
Other Easy, Budget Friendly Dishes You Might Enjoy
If you are a fan of easy, budget-friendly dishes, here are some other recipes you might want to try. The ingredients are simple, and the preparation takes very little time. Some of these recipes make use of leftovers to make your food budget stretch further. Check out these delicious options:
- Easy Thai Curry Chili
- Fresh Tomato Butternut Squash Soup
- Lentil Ham Bone Soup
- Easy French Onion Soup with Sausage in the Slow Cooker
- Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Lentil Barley Soup
More Food Inspiration
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Enjoy making this easy broccoli cheese sauce recipe for baked potatoes or as a topping for some other dish. May all of your cooking endeavors meet with great success!
Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to create and share recipes, often using fresh ingredients from her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To get more easy recipes, click on over to the Food page.