Bushra Griffith
Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, bakes, or as a side dish. Melting cheddar cheese over broccoli is a quick and easy way to elevate this simple dish. There are multiple ways to melt cheddar cheese over broccoli, including steaming the broccoli and melting cheese over it, making a cheese sauce to pour over the broccoli, or baking the broccoli with cheese in the oven.
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What You'll Learn
Broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce
This is a simple, tasty, and quick dish to make. It can be served as a side or a main meal. The recipe below serves two people.
Ingredients:
- 100g of broccoli per person
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
- 1 ounce of cream cheese
- 2 ounces of sharp cheddar
- Milk
- Cornstarch or flour
- Salt and pepper to season
Method:
First, cut the broccoli into florets and steam or microwave until tender but still firm. This should take around 3-6 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl or on a plate. Cover to keep warm.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. If using flour, whisk it into the butter and continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until you can no longer smell the flour. If using cornstarch, whisk it with a little milk before adding to the pan. Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Gradually add the cheddar cheese, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the mixture is well-combined and has thickened. The cheese will melt best if it is at room temperature and grated or sliced at home. You can also add cream cheese and heavy cream at this stage for an extra thick and creamy sauce.
Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper and pour over the broccoli. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding splashes of milk to restore its original consistency.
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Melted cheddar on steamed broccoli
Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination and a great way to get your greens. Here is a simple recipe for melting cheddar cheese over steamed broccoli.
First, prepare the broccoli. Cut the broccoli into evenly-sized florets. Place them in a steamer basket over an inch of boiling water. Cover and steam for 2 to 6 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like your broccoli. You could also microwave the broccoli for speed.
Now, prepare the cheese sauce. Start by melting butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Then, whisk in flour and continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes. Next, slowly add milk, whisking continuously. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Finally, gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and well-combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Place the steamed broccoli in a bowl and pour the cheese sauce over it. The cheese sauce can also be drizzled over the broccoli, or the broccoli can be dipped into the sauce. This dish can be served as a side or a quick snack. Enjoy!
Some tips to keep in mind: the cheese will melt best if it is at room temperature before being added to the sauce. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, hard cheeses, and aged cheeses, as these will not melt as well.
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Broccoli cheddar melt sandwich
Ingredients:
- Broccoli
- Cheddar cheese
- Bread (seeded, whole grain, or sourdough)
- Olive oil
- Chives
- Garlic powder
- Lemon zest
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Butter
Optional Ingredients:
- Provolone cheese
- Tomato soup
- Minestrone
- Salad
Instructions:
First, prepare the broccoli by seasoning it with olive oil, chives, garlic powder, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes. You can also add fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper for extra flavor. Steam the broccoli for 3-6 minutes until tender but still firm.
Next, layer the seasoned broccoli with shredded cheddar cheese (and provolone, if desired) between two slices of buttered bread.
Place the sandwich in a skillet or sandwich press and cook over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Serve the sandwich hot, with the cheese still melted, and pair it with a side of tomato soup, minestrone, or a simple salad.
Tips:
- This sandwich is a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend lunch.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, bread, or additional ingredients like cooked chicken or vegetables.
- You can also buy pre-cut broccoli florets or use a food processor to speed up the preparation process.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days and reheated in a skillet, oven, or microwave.
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Broccoli with a three-cheese sauce
This classic, cheesy recipe takes broccoli to the next level. Don't be afraid to make a homemade three-cheese sauce—it's super easy! 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!
Ingredients:
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese (Cheddar), Colby, Monterey Jack, and/or Parmesan
- Cornstarch
- Salt and Pepper
Method:
Start by rinsing and trimming your broccoli into uniform pieces. Place the broccoli in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water and cover. You could also add it to a shallow pan with a bit of water and bring it to a simmer. Steam or simmer the broccoli until it is tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set it aside, keeping it warm.
Now, it's time to make the three-cheese sauce! Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously until you have a smooth paste. This mixture is called a roux and is the base for your cheese sauce. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
For the cheese, it's best to shred your own block of cheese at home instead of using pre-shredded cheese. A combination of Sharp Cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack cheese will give you a delicious three-cheese sauce. Add the cheese to the sauce and stir until it is melted and well combined, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season your sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the three-cheese sauce over the steamed broccoli and serve immediately. You can also sprinkle some cheese over the broccoli and microwave it for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
This recipe is quick and easy, and sure to be a favorite side dish, especially with the kids! Enjoy the cheesy goodness!
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Reheating broccoli and cheese
If you're reheating a broccoli and cheese sandwich, you can follow the same steps as preparing it. Place the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat. Cover the skillet and cook the sandwich for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. If you're using an oven, preheat it to 250°F (121°C). Place the sandwich on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
If you're reheating a dish like broccoli and cheese casserole or a broccoli and cheese bake, the oven method is also suitable. Set the oven to a low temperature of around 225-250°F. Add a small amount of water or milk to the tray and cover it with foil to retain moisture. Reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until the dish is warmed through.
For broccoli with a cheese sauce, it's best to reheat the cheese sauce separately. You can do this by placing the cheese sauce in a pot on medium-low heat and whisking until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, stirring at intervals to ensure even heating. Once the sauce is heated, pour it over freshly steamed or microwaved broccoli.
If you're reheating a dish with meat, like beef and broccoli, the process becomes more intricate. To retain the tenderness of the meat and the crunch of the broccoli, it's crucial to bring the beef to room temperature before reheating. Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 225-250°F. Place the beef and broccoli in an oven-safe dish, adding a small amount of water or broth, and cover with foil. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. For the broccoli, short bursts of microwave heat with added water can refresh its warmth without turning it soggy, provided it's not overheated.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to melt cheddar cheese over broccoli. One way is to steam the broccoli, place it in a microwave-safe dish, season with salt and pepper, and then sprinkle cheese over the top. Microwave on high for about 1 minute until the cheese is melted.
It is best to purchase a block of cheddar cheese and shred or slice it at home. Avoid aged or hard cheeses like Parmesan as these don't melt as well.
Melted cheddar cheese or cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
To reheat melted cheddar cheese, place it in a pot or skillet over medium-low heat and whisk until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave until heated through, but be aware that dairy-based sauces don't usually freeze well.
