Cheesy Broccoli

This cheesy broccoli recipe is made with a simple cheese sauce that’s ready in minutes and perfect for drizzling or dipping.

*Originally published 8/2014. Updated 4/2025*

Hi Friends!

Today I’m sharing a simple cheese sauce for broccoli that the whole family will love! Recently my 8 year old has started eating broccoli. While she doesn’t yet enjoy it raw or roasted, she will eat a few pieces of steamed broccoli with her dinner. I’ve been looking for ways to make it a bit more exciting since we have yet to find a salad dressing she loves.

Enter cheese sauce! This traditional cheese sauce for broccoli is the perfect way to make broccoli, or other vegetables, more appealing to kids! This recipe is easy to make and super versatile so you can make a batch and serve some with veggies and some with chips!

Quick cheese sauce for broccoli ingredients

To make this simple sauce you just need a few simple ingredients:

Butter
Flour – You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed
Milk – I use 2%
Cheddar cheese – use your preference of mild, medium or sharp
Seasonings – salt and garlic powder

How to make cheesy broccoli

To make this recipe:

Melt butter in a saute pan over medium heat.
Sprinkle with flour.
Slowly add milk, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and add cheese, garlic powder and salt.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Serve with broccoli prepared however you like it- steamed, roasted, sauteed, etc.

steamed broccoli dipped in simple cheese sauce

Can you make this a no butter cheese sauce?

Yes! In fact when I originally posted this recipe years ago, I used olive oil instead of butter and it works great!

Kid-Friendly Vegetable Recipes

If you’re looking for more kid-friendly recipes, check out this post: Quick & Easy Vegetable Recipes. Or try these Maple Glazed Carrots – just omit or decrease the hot sauce.

Broccoli Cheddar Sauce Recipe

Here’s how you make it:

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This cheesy broccoli recipe is made with a simple cheese sauce that’s ready in minutes and perfect for drizzling or dipping.

Author: Author: Lindsay L

Ingredients

2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp flour (you can use gluten-free flour if needed
1 cup milk
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese (i use medium cheddar)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt (more if needed)
broccoli prepared as you like it!

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Instructions

In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Sprinkle in flour and stir to combine.
Slowly add milk, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and add cheese and spices.
Stir until melted and let thicken 2-3 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Serve with or pour over vegetables and serve immediately.

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Cheesy broccoli FAQs:

Can I make cheese sauce for broccoli without milk?

The milk is a critical ingredient in this particular recipe. If you’re looking for low lactose, cheddar cheese is naturally low in lactose and you can use lactose-free milk.

What’s a good substitute for butter in cheese sauce?

You can substitute oil for butter in this recipe.

How do you make a light cheese sauce for vegetables?

To lighten this recipe a bit, use skim milk. I don’t like using low-fat cheese in sauces but you could try. You could also try this Skinny Cheese Sauce from Cabot.

Can I use plant based milk in cheese sauce?

Although I haven’t tried it myself, you could try replacing the cow’s milk in this recipe with soy or almond milk. Or try this creamy vegan cheese sauce or this easy vegan nacho cheese sauce.

What’s the best cheese to use for broccoli cheese sauce?

Cheddar cheese is used in many traditional cheese sauce recipes. You could also try Gouda, Fontina or Asiago or even Colby Jack for a more mild flavor.

How can I thicken cheese sauce without flour?

You can use cornstarch to thicken the sauce if you don’t want to use flour. Or try this Easy Flourless Cheese Sauce or this Creamy White Cheese Sauce without Flour.

Can I meal prep cheesy broccoli in advance?

I do find this cheese sauce is best served immediately after making. To save time, you could prepare the broccoli in advance and then quickly whip up the cheese sauce when it’s time to eat.

How do I reheat broccoli with cheese sauce?

If you’re going to reheat the cheese sauce, I would not drizzle it on the broccoli. Save what you don’t eat separately in a glass container and then reheat at half power in the microwave, stirring frequently.