Skip the freezer section and make homemade broccoli with cheese sauce instead! Steamed broccoli florets are smothered in an easy 3 ingredient cheese sauce for a delicious and kid friendly side dish.
Broccoli with cheese sauce has been a classic side dish for ages, when you make it fresh it’s SO much better than the frozen kind you grew up eating.
Growing up, my mom used to always serve me broccoli with cheese melted on top. It’s a classic flavor combination that never goes out of style! This broccoli with cheese sauce recipe features fresh steamed broccoli and a homemade sauce. It’s the perfect easy side dish that goes great with almost any meal!
How do I make a cheese sauce?
This is pretty much the easiest cheese sauce ever. It’s a combination of shredded cheddar cheese, cornstarch and evaporated milk. That’s it!
The cheese is tossed in the cornstarch, then added to the evaporated milk and melted until smooth. The end result is a smooth, creamy and flavorful cheese sauce that’s perfect for vegetables, potatoes, mac and cheese, nachos and more!
How to make broccoli with cheese sauce
I lightly steam my broccoli, season it with salt and pepper, and then pour the pan of cheese sauce over the top. It’s as simple as that!
You want to be sure to use freshly shredded cheese here, the pre-grated stuff is coated with additives and won’t melt smooth. Also, since the ingredient list is so short here, the higher quality cheese you use, the better flavor you’ll end up with. I like to use a high quality medium cheddar cheese. You can also make this sauce with other cheeses like Monterey Jack!
Broccoli with cheese sauce is best served immediately, while you can refrigerate and reheat the leftovers, the cheese sauce will be a bit grainier upon reheating.
My family adores this dish, I typically serve it alongside chicken, fish or steak. No one can resist all that cheese!
More fabulous side dishes
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Candied Carrots
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets steamed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese use freshly grated cheese
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Add the cheese and corn starch to a bowl and toss to combine.
- Place the cheese mixture and evaporated milk in a sauce pan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth and thick.
- Add additional evaporated milk if needed to thin the sauce.
- Season the broccoli with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the cheese sauce over the broccoli and serve.
Sandy N Vyjay says
April 6, 2018 at 5:11 amCheese with Broccoli makes for a great side dish. also as Broccoli is healthy this is a great way to get kids eat broccoli layered with cheese.
chubskulit rose says
April 6, 2018 at 4:27 amThat’s how I like my broccoli to be cooked. I never prepared it this way though , I will have to try that,.
Carol Cassara says
April 6, 2018 at 4:15 amYou’re right about the cheese being irresistible! I think this dish is a must try especially since it looks so amazing and it’s easy to make. I love the flavor combination too.
Adrienne says
April 6, 2018 at 3:59 amThis seriously looks so easy to make. I love broccoli and cheese everything, I would definitely make this.
Sue Reddel says
April 5, 2018 at 8:21 pmFirst off everything tastes better with cheese. Broccoli and cheese is a winning combination that just about everyone likes. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Heather says
April 5, 2018 at 5:27 pmWe love steamed broccoli but this cheese sauce? It makes the broccoli look so much tastier. Yum!
Heather says
April 5, 2018 at 1:51 pmYum! I agree its a wonderful side dish. I like buying fresh broccoli and packing it in with my kid’s lunches. Never thought to add a cheese topic with it as a side dish.
Emily says
April 5, 2018 at 1:20 pmI have never made broccoli this way before, I know my kids would love it! I feel like I get in a rut with meals so this would be a yummy way to shake up dinner.
Tasheena says
April 5, 2018 at 12:55 pmMy family is a huge fan of broccoli with cheese sauce. It’s so yummy! I have to try making this recipe. The kiddos would love it.
Tomi C says
April 5, 2018 at 11:50 amNot a fan of cheese sauce on my broccoli but I do love it on cauliflower. Now my family, omg they are all about some broccoli with cheese sauce so I know they’d love this recipe.
Jeanette says
April 5, 2018 at 8:57 amI absolutely love that this is homemade. Anything homemade is so much better for you than store-bought. I have not been broccoli and cheese in years and I know my family would love it. I definitely think I need to make it.
Terri Beavers says
April 5, 2018 at 7:44 amI could eat broccoli every single meal. I love it raw, I love it steamed, I love it fried and even baked. And to pair it with cheese is just all the more appealing. Even the kids will love your recipe. They don’t share my love of broccoli, lol.
Rhonda Brown says
April 5, 2018 at 7:41 amBroccoli with cheese sauce is such a great comfort food! So easy to make too. I like your recipe!
Ashley says
April 5, 2018 at 7:05 amThese is one of my favorite sides to make with dinner. In fact I could eat this by itself and be happy!
Candy says
April 5, 2018 at 6:34 amNice tip about tossing the cheese in with the cheese. Had never thought to do this. Easy side dish. Everything taste better covers in cheese.
Amber Myers says
April 5, 2018 at 5:11 amI know I’d love this! I’ve always been a fan of broccoli and cheese sauce. I normally buy it already made, but this would be so much better.
Doria says
April 5, 2018 at 4:47 amYummmm! Is it strange this was my favorite thing as a kid and to this day I still eat it for dinner on busy days? 😀
Lauren @ Lemon & Mocha says
April 4, 2018 at 9:57 amI grew up eating cheese sauce on everything and this looks incredible! Can’t wait to try it!
Karly says
April 4, 2018 at 8:08 amMy kids would love this! Cheese sauce makes everything taste better!
Albert Bevia says
April 4, 2018 at 3:33 amYeah my kids would be all over this, they love broccoli already, but with that simple cheese sauce….this dish won´t last long on the table!!