Randy Chandler
Fixing broccoli and cheese in a NuWave oven is a quick and efficient way to create a delicious, healthy side dish or main course. This method combines the natural flavors of steamed broccoli with the creamy richness of melted cheese, all while utilizing the NuWave oven's rapid cooking technology. The process involves preparing the broccoli, arranging it in the NuWave oven's cooking rack, and topping it with a cheese sauce or shredded cheese before cooking. The NuWave oven's even heat distribution ensures that the broccoli is tender and the cheese is perfectly melted, resulting in a dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Whether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or a comforting side, this recipe is a great choice for NuWave oven enthusiasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appliance | NuWave Oven |
| Dish | Broccoli and Cheese |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes (varies based on recipe) |
| Temperature | 350°F (175°C) |
| Ingredients | Broccoli florets, shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, etc.), butter, breadcrumbs (optional), salt, pepper |
| Preparation | Steam or blanch broccoli, mix with cheese and seasonings, place in oven-safe dish |
| Cooking Method | Bake in NuWave Oven until cheese is melted and bubbly |
| Serving Suggestion | Serve hot as a side dish |
| Tips | Use pre-shredded cheese for even melting, add breadcrumbs for a crispy topping |
| Variations | Add garlic, onions, or bacon for extra flavor |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days |
| Reheating | Reheat in NuWave Oven or microwave until warmed through |
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What You'll Learn
- Prepping Broccoli: Wash, trim, and cut broccoli into uniform florets for even cooking
- Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk, and stir in shredded cheese
- Nuwave Settings: Preheat to 350°F, use high rack, cook for 15-20 minutes
- Combining Ingredients: Layer broccoli in baking dish, pour cheese sauce, and mix gently
- Final Touches: Sprinkle breadcrumbs, cook 5 more minutes, let rest before serving
Prepping Broccoli: Wash, trim, and cut broccoli into uniform florets for even cooking
Broccoli's uneven texture—dense stalks, delicate florets—demands precise prep for even cooking in the NuWave oven's intense heat. Skip this step, and you'll end up with mushy florets and undercooked stems. Start by rinsing the broccoli thoroughly under cold water, agitating the florets to dislodge dirt and debris. Pat dry with a clean towel to prevent steaming instead of roasting.
Trimming is next. Slice off the tough bottom inch of the stalk, then peel the remaining stalk with a vegetable peeler to remove fibrous outer layers. For larger stalks, split them lengthwise into flat planks, ensuring they're no thicker than ½ inch. This reduces cooking time and promotes even browning.
Cutting florets uniformly is key. Aim for 1½-inch pieces—small enough to cook through, large enough to retain texture. Consistency matters: uneven sizes lead to overcooked or raw spots. For precision, use a sharp chef’s knife and a steady hand. If using pre-cut broccoli, sort pieces by size and arrange them in the NuWave oven accordingly.
A practical tip: blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into ice water before roasting. This step brightens the color and jumpstarts cooking, ensuring the florets don’t dry out in the NuWave’s rapid heat. Skip this if you prefer a more al dente texture, but monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
Finally, toss the prepped broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the NuWave rack, leaving space between pieces for air circulation. This maximizes browning and prevents steaming. Follow your recipe’s timing, but check at the halfway mark—NuWave ovens vary, and broccoli’s doneness can shift quickly. Properly prepped, your broccoli will emerge tender, vibrant, and ready to pair with cheese for a flawless dish.
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Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk, and stir in shredded cheese
Creating a smooth, velvety cheese sauce is the cornerstone of a successful broccoli and cheese dish in the NuWave oven. The process begins with a simple roux—a mixture of butter and flour—which serves as the base for thickening the sauce. Start by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and slightly bubbling, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. This step is crucial; ensure the flour is fully incorporated and cooked for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. This roux will give your sauce the perfect consistency without lumps.
Next, gradually add 1 cup of milk to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent clumping. The milk should be added in a slow, steady stream to allow it to blend smoothly with the roux. As you stir, the mixture will begin to thicken and take on a creamy texture. If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute half of the milk with heavy cream for added indulgence. Keep the heat at medium and continue whisking until the sauce reaches a gentle simmer and coats the back of a spoon.
Now, it’s time to incorporate the cheese. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese, such as sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses like Gruyère and Parmesan for added depth. Add the cheese in small handfuls, stirring after each addition until fully melted. This gradual approach ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg for a subtle warmth that complements the broccoli.
When pairing this cheese sauce with broccoli in the NuWave oven, consider steaming the broccoli first to retain its crispness. Spread the steamed broccoli in a NuWave-safe dish, pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs or additional cheese for a golden, crispy finish. Cook in the NuWave oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is lightly browned. This method ensures the broccoli remains tender while the cheese sauce achieves the perfect consistency.
The beauty of this cheese sauce lies in its versatility and simplicity. By mastering the roux and understanding how to balance the ingredients, you can elevate not just broccoli and cheese but also other NuWave oven dishes like cauliflower gratin or macaroni and cheese. Experiment with different cheeses and seasonings to tailor the sauce to your taste, and remember: patience in whisking and gradual additions are key to achieving that restaurant-quality finish.
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Nuwave Settings: Preheat to 350°F, use high rack, cook for 15-20 minutes
The NuWave oven's precision settings can transform a simple dish like broccoli and cheese into a perfectly cooked, flavorful masterpiece. Preheating to 350°F is the first critical step, as it ensures the oven reaches the ideal temperature for even cooking. This setting is particularly effective for dishes that require a balance of tenderness and crispness, such as broccoli. By preheating, you eliminate the guesswork and cold spots that can lead to uneven results, ensuring every bite is just right.
Using the high rack is another strategic choice for this recipe. Placing the broccoli and cheese on the high rack maximizes exposure to the NuWave’s infrared heat, promoting even browning and melting without overcooking the vegetables. This positioning also allows excess moisture to drip away, preventing sogginess. For best results, spread the broccoli and cheese mixture evenly on a baking dish to ensure consistent heat distribution. If you’re using a glass or ceramic dish, preheat it slightly to avoid thermal shock when placing it in the oven.
Cooking for 15-20 minutes at 350°F strikes the perfect balance between melting the cheese and maintaining the broccoli’s vibrant green color and slight crunch. Start checking at the 15-minute mark to avoid overcooking, as the residual heat will continue to melt the cheese even after removing the dish. If you prefer a deeper golden crust, add an extra 2-3 minutes, but monitor closely to prevent burning. This timing is ideal for fresh broccoli, but if using frozen, thaw and pat it dry first to avoid excess moisture.
One practical tip is to sprinkle a light layer of breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan over the top before cooking. This adds a delightful crunch and helps the cheese brown evenly. Additionally, stirring in a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch into the cheese sauce before baking can prevent it from separating or becoming oily. These small adjustments, combined with the NuWave’s precise settings, elevate a basic side dish into a restaurant-quality creation.
In conclusion, mastering the NuWave settings of preheating to 350°F, using the high rack, and cooking for 15-20 minutes is key to achieving perfectly cooked broccoli and cheese. These steps ensure even heating, optimal texture, and a visually appealing dish. By following these guidelines and incorporating a few practical tips, you can consistently deliver a delicious, hassle-free meal that highlights the NuWave oven’s capabilities.
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Combining Ingredients: Layer broccoli in baking dish, pour cheese sauce, and mix gently
Layering broccoli in a baking dish and topping it with cheese sauce is a straightforward yet transformative technique for creating a cohesive and flavorful dish in your NuWave oven. The key lies in the order and gentleness of combining these ingredients. Start by arranging pre-cooked or steamed broccoli florets evenly across the bottom of a NuWave-safe baking dish, ensuring a single layer for even cooking. This foundation allows the broccoli to retain its texture while absorbing the richness of the cheese sauce. Next, pour a generous but measured amount of prepared cheese sauce over the broccoli, aiming for full coverage without oversaturating the dish. The NuWave’s convection heating will help the sauce meld with the broccoli, but overpouring can lead to a soggy result.
The final step—mixing gently—is where precision matters. Use a spatula to fold the broccoli and cheese sauce together, taking care not to break the florets. Overmixing can turn the dish into a mushy blend, while undermixing leaves pockets of uncoated broccoli. Aim for a balance where the cheese sauce clings to the broccoli, creating a harmonious bite. This method ensures every piece is evenly coated without sacrificing the vegetable’s integrity.
From a practical standpoint, pre-cooking the broccoli until just tender (about 3-4 minutes in the NuWave on high) before layering is essential. Raw broccoli won’t cook evenly under the cheese sauce, while overcooked florets will disintegrate during mixing. For the cheese sauce, a ratio of 1 cup shredded cheddar to ½ cup milk thickened with 2 tablespoons flour works well, providing a creamy consistency that adheres to the broccoli. Adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg for depth.
Comparatively, this layering and gentle mixing approach outperforms simply dumping ingredients into the dish and stirring. The NuWave’s rapid cooking can cause uneven results if the ingredients aren’t thoughtfully combined. By layering and folding, you control the texture and distribution of flavors, ensuring a dish that’s both comforting and refined. This method also allows for customization—add breadcrumbs or Parmesan on top for a crispy finish, or incorporate proteins like grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
In conclusion, mastering the art of layering broccoli and cheese sauce in your NuWave oven hinges on technique and timing. Pre-cook the broccoli, measure the sauce, and mix with a light hand to achieve a dish where every element shines. This approach not only maximizes the NuWave’s capabilities but also elevates a simple combination into a satisfying, restaurant-quality side or main course.
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Final Touches: Sprinkle breadcrumbs, cook 5 more minutes, let rest before serving
A golden, crispy topping can elevate your broccoli and cheese dish from comforting to crave-worthy. This is where breadcrumbs come in. Sprinkle a generous layer of panko or seasoned breadcrumbs over the broccoli and cheese mixture during the final stages of cooking in your NuWave oven. Panko, with its larger flakes, will provide a satisfying crunch, while seasoned breadcrumbs add an extra layer of flavor. Aim for about ¼ cup of breadcrumbs for a standard NuWave oven dish, adjusting based on the size of your casserole.
This final cooking stage is crucial. After adding the breadcrumbs, cook the dish for an additional 5 minutes in the NuWave oven. This allows the breadcrumbs to toast to a beautiful golden brown, creating a delightful textural contrast to the creamy broccoli and cheese. Keep a close eye on the dish during this time to prevent burning. The NuWave's powerful heating element can quickly brown the breadcrumbs, so 5 minutes is usually sufficient.
Resisting the urge to dig in immediately is key. Letting the broccoli and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. This resting period also prevents the dish from being piping hot and potentially burning your mouth. Think of it as a brief intermission before the main event – a perfectly textured and flavorful broccoli and cheese casserole.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your NuWave Oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the broccoli and cheese mixture for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Steam or blanch the broccoli until tender-crisp (about 3-5 minutes). Drain well and place in a baking dish before topping with cheese and cooking in the NuWave Oven.
Yes, pre-shredded cheese works well. Sprinkle it evenly over the broccoli and cook until melted. For a creamier texture, mix the cheese with a tablespoon of milk or cream before adding.
