Fitness / April 23, 2024

Broccoli Cheese Bake

The ultimate combination of cheese and broccoli.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Those who love broccoli will eat it at any time and in any form. Meanwhile, even those who struggle to embrace broccoli can’t say no if it’s covered with cheese. With this broccoli cheese bake, everyone wins! This recipe is the perfect combination of broccoli and cheese, making it easy for vegetable lovers and those who still need some convincing to eat their greens to enjoy it.

Technically, a broccoli cheese bake is a side dish. Since it’s such a crowd pleaser, it’s the perfect recipe to pull out for special occasions and large gatherings. But for vegetarians, the combination of cheese and broccoli almost provides enough sustenance to be the main dish. As we mentioned, people are bound to come back for seconds, which is why broccoli cheese bake is a viable option for every occasion.

For fans of broccoli, this isn’t the only way to get a healthy dose of your favorite vegetable. It’s easy to keep things simple with steamed broccoli or sautéed broccoli, though it’s not that difficult to cook up a healthy broccoli casserole or whip up some vegan broccoli cheese soup if you want something a bit more substantial. If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer, cook up some broccoli bites.

Is Broccoli Cheese Bake Healthy?

From a health standpoint, there are positives and negatives to broccoli cheese bake. For starters, making broccoli a part of any meal is a good thing. Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables because it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. Making broccoli a regular part of your diet can help with digestion and control your blood sugar, among many other health benefits.

On the other hand, all of the cheese and whole milk adds to the amount of fat and calories in the dish. Health-conscious people who want to give this recipe a try can use skim milk and reduced-fat cheddar cheese.

What Can I Add To This Broccoli Cheese Bake?

Just in case the broccoli and cheese combination isn’t enough, you can have fun with the addition of a few extra ingredients. For starters, combine broccoli with other veggies like cauliflower or asparagus. Some people also enjoy adding rice or cauliflower rice to the pan to make the broccoli cheese bake feel more like a full meal.

In terms of cheese, don’t think that cheddar is your only option. Monterey Jack, Brie, and Gruyère are all types of cheese that blend well with broccoli. Use one instead of the cheddar or mix them up to make a medley. Just be aware of the extra fat and calories that come with more cheese. One final suggestion that’s worth considering is sprinkling a few crackers on top right before putting the pan in the oven. This will give the broccoli cheese bake a little extra crunch.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups whole milk
1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 large eggs, beaten

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat

Prepare the oven and baking dish.

Blanch

Cook broccoli until al dente, then drain.

Combine

Make a roux, add milk and cheese, then mix with broccoli and eggs.

Bake

Bake until golden and set, then rest before serving.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If stored in the fridge, broccoli cheese bake can be prepared ahead of time and then cooked in the oven right before you’re ready to eat it. Leftovers can go in an airtight container and remain good in the fridge for 4 or 5 days.

Is It Okay to Use Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, frozen or fresh broccoli can work well with this recipe. If you use frozen broccoli, just make sure it’s been properly thawed.

Serving Suggestions

If you use broccoli cheese bake as a side dish, it can be combined with several types of main courses. For instance, folks who aren’t vegetarians may want to pair this dish with Greek turkey meatballs or sweet and sour paleo meatballs. Any number of chicken dishes would go well with cheese and broccoli, including crispy baked chicken legs. It could also go well with slow cooker jerk chicken. Finally, if you think the broccoli and cheese combination can balance out a spicy dish, try cooking up instant pot Buffalo chicken.

Broccoli Cheese Bake

The ultimate combination of cheese and broccoli.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 35

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 181kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 pound broccoli cut into florets
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups whole milk
1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 large eggs beaten

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F and lightly grease a large baking dish.
Cook the broccoli florets in boiling water for 5-10 minutes until al dente, then drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter, then whisk in the flour and salt until smooth. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to boil. Remove from heat.
Gently fold in the shredded cheese and broccoli until the cheese starts to melt. Stir in the beaten eggs until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-45 minutes until set and lightly browned. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.