Bushra Griffith
Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination, and using Velveeta cheese can take this dish to the next level. Velveeta is a processed American cheese with a mild, creamy, and salty flavour and a low melting point, making it ideal for creating a smooth and creamy cheese sauce. This dish can be made in various ways, such as a stovetop recipe, a microwave recipe, or even a soup, and can be served as a side or used as a dip or sauce for other dishes.
Broccoli and Velveeta Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Side dish |
| Ingredients | Broccoli, Velveeta Cheese, Butter, Flour, Milk, Salt, Pepper |
| Cooking Method | Steam/Microwave Broccoli, Make Cheese Sauce, Combine |
| Cooking Time | 15 minutes |
| Nutritional Information | Calories: 146kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 8g, Sodium: 522mg |
| Variations | Soup, Casserole |
| Notes | Cut broccoli into uniform pieces, keep sauce warm and stir regularly, serve immediately |
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What You'll Learn
Broccoli and Velveeta cheese in the microwave
Broccoli and cheese is a quick and easy side dish that can be made even simpler by using a microwave. This method is especially useful for cooking the broccoli, but you can also make the cheese sauce in the microwave, too.
Broccoli
First, cut the broccoli florets into uniform bite-size pieces. Place the florets in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of water. Cover the dish and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp but tender. Drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a serving dish.
Cheese Sauce
While the broccoli is cooking, you can make the cheese sauce. Combine the cheese, milk, and butter in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This should take around 2-3 minutes. You can also add onion powder, dry mustard, hot sauce, or garlic powder to taste.
Serving
Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked broccoli and serve immediately. The sauce will start to firm up as it cools, so it’s best to eat it while it’s still warm. This dish is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and can be a tasty and healthy snack or side.
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How to steam broccoli
To cook broccoli and Velveeta cheese, you'll first need to steam the broccoli. Here's a detailed guide on how to do that:
First, prepare the broccoli by trimming off the thick outer skin of the stems. Cut the crowns away from the large stems and break the crown into bite-sized florets. You can also peel and dice the stems and steam them along with the florets, or save them for another use. Rinse the florets thoroughly.
Next, fill a saucepan with around 3/4 to 1 inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply place the broccoli directly into the boiling water, but keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking. Alternatively, you can steam broccoli in the microwave. Place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes.
Once the water is boiling, carefully add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the broccoli steam for around 5 minutes,Relevant Documents: 0,1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
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Answer: Here is a detailed guide on how to steam broccoli:
First, prepare the broccoli. Cut the crowns away from the large stems and break them up into bite-sized florets. You can peel and discard the thick outer skin of the stems and slice or cut them into quarters lengthwise. Alternatively, you can save the stalk for another use, such as making broccoli rice.
Next, place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket and set it over a pot with approximately 1 inch of water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply put the broccoli directly into the water, but be sure to keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking. You can also use a skillet or any metal or wooden container with holes in it over a pot of boiling water. Another option is to use a microwave—place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Now, bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan and let the broccoli steam for 5-7 minutes, or until it is crisp-tender and bright green. Be careful not to overcook the broccoli, as it will turn olive green instead of the desired vibrant green.
Finally, season the steamed broccoli to taste. You can use salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, or any other desired seasonings or toppings.
Steaming broccoli is a quick and easy way to prepare this nutritious vegetable, and it pairs well with various dishes or toppings. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and serving options!Here is a detailed guide on how to steam broccoli:
First, prepare the broccoli. Cut the crowns away from the large stems and break them up into bite-sized florets. You can peel and discard the thick outer skin of the stems and slice or cut them into quarters lengthwise. Alternatively, you can save the stalk for another use, such as making broccoli rice.
Next, place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket and set it over a pot with approximately 1 inch of water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can simply put the broccoli directly into the water, but be sure to keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking. You can also use a skillet or any metal or wooden container with holes in it over a pot of boiling water. Another option is to use a microwave—place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Now, bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan and let the broccoli steam for 5-7 minutes, or until it is crisp-tender and bright green. Be careful not to overcook the broccoli, as it will turn olive green instead of the desired vibrant green.
Finally, season the steamed broccoli to taste. You can use salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, or any other desired seasonings or toppings.
Steaming broccoli is a quick and easy way to prepare this nutritious vegetable, and it pairs well with various dishes or toppings. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and serving options!
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Making a cheese sauce
First, cut the broccoli florets into uniform bite-size pieces so they cook evenly. You can steam the broccoli in a steamer basket on the stovetop or in the microwave. To steam in the microwave, place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a serving dish.
While the broccoli is cooking, you can make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and cook, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
You can use American cheese, such as Velveeta, for a smooth and creamy sauce. However, you could also use grated cheddar or another similar cheese. Keep the cheese sauce warm and stir regularly until ready to use. Serve immediately, as the sauce will start to firm up as it cools.
This cheese sauce is very versatile and can be used on other vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, and baked potatoes. It can also be used as a dip for soft pretzels or tortilla chips, or as a topping for sandwiches.
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Using other cheeses
While the classic combination of broccoli and cheese is often made with Velveeta cheese, you can use other types of cheese to make a delicious broccoli dish.
One of the most popular alternatives is cheddar cheese, which can be used to make a creamy, cheesy sauce. The sharper the cheddar, the more flavour it will add to the dish. You can also use a combination of mild and sharp cheddars to balance the flavour. Other similar cheeses that melt well include American cheese, Colby, and Monterey Jack. These cheeses have a mild, creamy, and salty flavour, with a low melting point, making them ideal for a smooth sauce.
If you're looking for a more sophisticated flavour profile, you can try using gouda, fontina, or gruyere cheese. These cheeses will add a unique twist to your broccoli dish. For a more intense flavour, you can also use Parmesan cheese, although it may not melt as smoothly. You can also experiment with different combinations of these cheeses to find your preferred flavour.
To prepare the broccoli, you can either steam or boil it. Steaming the broccoli florets in the microwave is a quick and easy option. Simply place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and cook until crisp-tender. Alternatively, you can cook the broccoli on the stovetop by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil and adding the broccoli until it is bright green and crisp-tender.
Once your broccoli is cooked, you can prepare the cheese sauce. Start by making a roux with butter and flour, then add milk and simmer until thickened. You can then add your chosen cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, combine the broccoli and cheese sauce, and serve immediately while the sauce is still warm and creamy.
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Broccoli and cheese soup
This recipe is a quick, easy, and tasty way to get your daily dose of veggies. It's ready in under 30 minutes and can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Flour
- Milk
- Broccoli
- Pepper
- Velveeta cheese
Optional Ingredients:
- Chicken broth or vegetable broth
- Salt
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Cream
- Cheddar cheese
Method:
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic.
- Sprinkle in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in milk.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add chicken or vegetable broth and cream (if using).
- Stir in broccoli florets and cook until bright green, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add cubed Velveeta cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Cook over low heat, stirring, until the cheese melts and the soup is heated through.
- For an extra cheesy soup, add more Velveeta or grated cheddar cheese.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or in a homemade bread bowl.
Tips:
- For a lighter variation, use low-fat milk and less cheese.
- You can use frozen broccoli instead of fresh, or add other vegetables like carrots, celery, or asparagus.
- To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to gently puree the soup.
- You can also steam the broccoli in the microwave with a splash of water for 6-8 minutes before adding it to the soup.
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Frequently asked questions
To make a soup, melt butter in a large saucepan on medium heat. Add onion and cook until the onion is tender. Then, add flour and stir constantly for one minute. Next, add milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add Velveeta cheese, broccoli, and pepper. Stir occasionally until the cheese is melted.
Cut the broccoli florets into small, even-sized pieces. Steam the broccoli in the microwave with a splash of water for 6-8 minutes. Drain the water, season, and transfer to a serving bowl. To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour. Gradually add milk and whisk until the sauce thickens. Finally, add the cheese and stir until melted. Pour the sauce over the broccoli.
American cheese, such as Velveeta, melts the best and creates a smooth and creamy sauce. However, you could use grated cheddar or another similar cheese.
Cook frozen broccoli according to the package instructions in a saucepan with oleo. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then, add slices of Velveeta cheese and cook on medium-low heat until the cheese melts. Finally, stir in milk and mix thoroughly.
