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!

Broccoli with Cheese in a white bowl with a spoon

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 to make Broccoli with Cheese

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?

uncooked broccoli to make Broccoli with Cheese

How to Steam Broccoli

This recipe uses a shortcut way to steam/simmer the broccoli.

  1. Rinse pieces of broccoli and trim stems towards the floret part of the vegetable.
  2. Add broccoli to a shallow pan with a bit of water.
  3. 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!

Cheese mixture to make Broccoli with Cheese

How to Make Cheese Sauce

This cheese sauce is insanely easy and totally no-fail.

  1. Whisk milk and corn starch in a skillet (per recipe below).
  2. Place the skillet on the heat and whisk until milk is thickened.
  3. 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.

cheese being poured over broccoli to make Broccoli with Cheese

More Broccoli Favorites

Did your kids love this Broccoli and Cheese recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Broccoli with Cheese in a bowl
4.97 from 110 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Quick Broccoli and Cheese

This Broccoli & Cheese side dish recipe will be a family favorite!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
buy hollys book

Ingredients  

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 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.
  • Cover broccoli and steam 3-5 minutes. Remove & place in a bowl. Cover to keep warm.
  • Whisk milk and cornstarch together in a bowl. Pour into the skillet and whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens.
  • Turn heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until smooth.
  • Season with salt & pepper and serve over broccoli.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It's best to store leftovers separately. 
Reheat in the microwave until heated through, or place the cheese sauce in a pot on medium-low heat and whisk until heated through.  
4.97 from 110 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 182 | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 966IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Broccoli with Cheese in a bowl with a title
Broccoli with Cheese with a title
cheese poured over broccoli to make Broccoli with Cheese with writing
Broccoli with Cheese in a bowl with writing and a close up of cheese being poured over broccoli

Categories:

,

Recipes you'll love

About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

Follow Holly on social media:

pinterest facebook twitter instagram

Free eBook!

Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

4.97 from 110 votes (95 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. I thought I’d make this for our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and I followed the recipe to a T and it turned out great, it was very easy to make and it tastes great.5 stars

  2. I had some issues with the sauce. I don’t know if it was the pot I was using or the milk but it wouldn’t thicken. I tried raising the heat and adding more cornstarch but it stayed the same. After about 20 minutes I gave up and added the cheese. It was still liquidy. Finally I added some sour cream and it finally thickened up. It came out pretty good. So if your sauce isn’t thickening try adding sour cream lol

    1. I haven’t had that problem (cornstarch should thicken the milk) but I’m glad you were able to salvage it with sour cream. Thanks for sharing your tip!

  3. 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?

    1. 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!

      1. Easy and delicious! Used frozen (steam in the bag) broccoli and turned out great, just be sure to drain it. Also used a sharp, finely shredded cheddar and some salt. We loved it!5 stars

  4. 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 4 stars

    1. Hi Katie, make sure to steam and not boil the broccoli. That should help make it less runny!

  5. 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.5 stars

    1. 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.

  6. 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.5 stars

  7. 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!5 stars

    1. This recipe is always a hit with kids! I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe Cynthia!

      1. Ha just give him the cheese next time so he can dip it with meat or other dippable food items mm garlic bread yum!