Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce Recipe

Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce Recipe: Family Joy

Roasted broccoli reinvents ordinary vegetables into a culinary delight that sparks excitement at any dinner table.

Crisp, vibrant green florets promise a robust flavor profile waiting to be unleashed.

Kitchen enthusiasts appreciate how simple techniques can elevate humble ingredients into something spectacular.

cheese sauce adds a creamy dimension that complements the broccoli natural earthiness and slight bitterness.

Nutritional benefits merge seamlessly with incredible taste, creating a side dish everyone craves.

Preparing this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction for hungry diners.

Bold textures and rich flavors guarantee a memorable dining experience that will have you returning for seconds.

Roasted Broccoli with Cheese Sauce Comfort

  • Transform Boring Broccoli: Elevate the humble vegetable from mundane to mouthwatering with a crispy roasted exterior and creamy cheese sauce that makes healthy eating irresistibly delicious.
  • Quick Gourmet Magic: Whip up a restaurant-quality side dish in under 40 minutes with minimal ingredients and simple cooking techniques that deliver maximum flavor and impressive results.
  • Texture Sensation: Experience a perfect balance of crispy, golden-brown broccoli florets contrasted with a smooth, velvety cheese sauce that creates an exciting sensory eating experience for every bite.
  • Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by experimenting with different cheese types, adding spices, or adjusting roasting time to suit personal taste preferences and make the dish uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Roasted Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Roasted Vegetables:
  • Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that provides a crispy texture and nutty flavor when roasted, look for firm and bright green florets with no yellow spots.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle background flavor and enhances the overall taste of the roasted broccoli.
  • Olive Oil: Helps create a crispy exterior and ensures even roasting of the broccoli.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the broccoli and provides seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the roasted vegetables.
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich and smooth base for the cheese sauce, provides a creamy texture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth, velvety consistency.
  • Milk: Provides the liquid base for the cheese sauce, creating a creamy texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Provides a rich, tangy flavor and creates a classic cheese sauce consistency, choose a sharp variety for more intense flavor.

Cooking Instructions for Roasted Broccoli and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to 400°F (200°C) and get ready for some delicious roasting action.

Step 2: Chop the Broccoli

Slice the broccoli into bite-sized pieces that’ll cook evenly and look amazing.

Step 3: Season the Broccoli

In a baking tray, toss the broccoli with:
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper

Make sure everything is well-coated and ready to get crispy.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Pop the tray in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for golden brown florets with crispy edges that’ll make your mouth water.

Step 5: Create the Cheese Sauce Base

In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour and toast it until it turns a light golden color (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 6: Build the Sauce Smoothly

Lower the heat and gradually add milk:
  • Pour 1/4 of the milk while stirring constantly
  • Mix thoroughly to prevent any lumpy disasters
  • Continue adding remaining milk in 1/4 increments
  • Stir after each addition until smooth

Step 7: Finish the Cheese Sauce

When the sauce thickens, add:
  • Black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Cheddar cheese

Stir until the cheese melts completely and creates a silky smooth sauce.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle the cheese sauce over the roasted broccoli or serve it as a dipping sauce on the side. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Tips to Get Broccoli Perfectly Roasted

  • Chop Evenly: Ensure broccoli pieces are similar in size for uniform roasting and consistent crispiness.
  • Spread Strategically: Arrange broccoli florets in a single layer on the baking tray to prevent steaming and promote better caramelization.
  • Control Moisture: Pat broccoli dry before seasoning to help achieve golden brown, crispy edges.
  • Whisk Continuously: Stir cheese sauce constantly while adding milk to prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Temperature Matters: Use room temperature milk and grate cheese freshly for the most velvety cheese sauce possible.

Storage Guide for Broccoli and Cheese Dish

  • Refrigerate the roasted broccoli and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Store broccoli and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat broccoli in the oven at 180°C/350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain its crispy texture. Warm the cheese sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. Add a splash of milk if the sauce becomes too thick during reheating. Always check the temperature before serving to ensure the dish is heated thoroughly and safely.

Side Pairings for Roasted Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

  • Pair with Crispy Bacon Bits: Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces over the roasted broccoli to add a savory, salty crunch that complements the cheese sauce's richness.
  • Match with Chilled White Wine: Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy cheese sauce and refresh the palate with its light, zesty notes.
  • Serve alongside Crusty Garlic Bread: The garlic bread's buttery, toasted texture provides a perfect vehicle for extra cheese sauce and balances the roasted broccoli's slightly charred flavor.
  • Complement with Grilled Chicken Breast: A simple, seasoned grilled chicken adds lean protein and creates a complete meal that highlights the broccoli's robust roasted taste.

Variations of Broccoli and Cheese Worth Trying

  • Spicy Cheesy Broccoli Blast: Add red pepper flakes to the broccoli before roasting and mix sriracha into the cheese sauce for an extra kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Roasted Broccoli: Sprinkle dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary on the broccoli before roasting. Use feta cheese instead of cheddar in the sauce for a tangy Mediterranean flavor.
  • Smoky Bacon Broccoli Combo: Crisp chopped bacon and sprinkle over the roasted broccoli. Incorporate crumbled bacon bits into the cheese sauce for a rich, smoky undertone.
  • Nutty Parmesan Crunch: Toast chopped almonds or breadcrumbs and scatter over the roasted broccoli. Mix ground nutmeg into the cheese sauce for a warm, aromatic touch.
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Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce Recipe

Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce Recipe


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4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Roasted broccoli with cheese sauce delivers crispy, caramelized florets bathed in rich, creamy cheddar goodness. Hearty comfort meets simple elegance, inviting you to savor each perfectly golden, cheesy bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/8 cup (15 g) grated parmesan cheese

Seasoning:

  • Black pepper (coarse grind)

Instructions

  1. Ignite the oven to 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the broccoli.
  2. Dissect the broccoli into uniform, bite-sized morsels, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
  3. Transfer the broccoli pieces onto a spacious baking tray, generously drizzling with olive oil and seasoning thoroughly with garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Meticulously toss to guarantee complete and even coating.
  4. Position the tray in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, allowing the broccoli florets to transform into golden, crispy delicacies with caramelized edges.
  5. Concurrently, craft the luxurious cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it becomes slightly foamy and fragrant.
  6. Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, stirring continuously and toasting until the mixture achieves a delicate golden hue, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  7. Reduce the heat to low, incrementally introducing milk in quarter-cup portions, whisking vigorously to prevent any lump formation and maintaining a silky smooth consistency.
  8. Once the sauce reaches a velvety thickness, incorporate black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
  9. Remove the roasted broccoli from the oven, presenting it with the option to either drizzle the cheese sauce directly over the florets or serve the sauce separately as a luxurious dipping companion.

Notes

  • Elevate your vegetable game with this crispy, golden-brown broccoli that transforms a humble side dish into a culinary delight.
  • Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and creates irresistible caramelized edges that make even veggie skeptics come back for seconds.
  • Craft a velvety cheese sauce that’s smooth, rich, and packed with parmesan and cheddar for maximum flavor intensity.
  • Prevent lumpy sauce by gradually adding milk and whisking continuously, ensuring a silky-smooth texture that clings perfectly to each broccoli floret.
  • Customize the dish by adjusting cheese types or adding extra seasonings like garlic powder or red pepper flakes for a personalized touch.
  • Serve hot and immediately for the best taste, with cheese sauce either drizzled over broccoli or presented as a delicious dipping option.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 138 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 186 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 28 mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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