Randy Chandler
Broccoli and cheese is a quick and easy side dish that can be made even more delicious with the addition of Velveeta cheese sauce. Velveeta is an American cheese with a mild, creamy, and salty flavour, and a low melting point, making it ideal for a smooth and creamy cheese sauce. This simple recipe transforms everyday broccoli into a flavourful dish that can be served as a side to roasted chicken, grilled steak, meatloaf, or pork chops.
Characteristics and their values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Broccoli type | Fresh or frozen spears or florets |
| Broccoli preparation | Cut into uniform bite-sized pieces |
| Cooking method | Steam or boil |
| Cheese type | American cheese (Velveeta) |
| Cheese preparation | Melted |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, hot sauce |
| Serving suggestion | Serve broccoli and cheese sauce separately or pour sauce over broccoli |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the broccoli
Broccoli and cheese is a delicious and quick side dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here is a detailed guide on preparing the broccoli for this tasty treat:
Start by choosing your broccoli. You can use either frozen or fresh broccoli spears or florets. If you opt for fresh broccoli, cut or break the broccoli into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. This ensures that all the florets cook at the same rate, resulting in a consistent texture and doneness.
Once you have prepared the broccoli florets, it's time to cook them. You can steam or boil broccoli, depending on your preference. Steaming is a gentler method that helps retain the crisp texture and bright green color of the broccoli. To steam, place the florets in a steamer basket or a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, covering it and steaming until crisp-tender. Alternatively, you can boil the broccoli by following the package instructions.
After cooking, drain the liquid from the broccoli and season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings or spices, such as cayenne pepper or hot sauce, for an extra kick. Transfer the seasoned broccoli to a serving dish or bowl, keeping it warm until you are ready to add the cheese sauce.
If you prefer a simpler approach, you can use the microwave to steam your broccoli. Simply place the florets in a microwave-safe dish, add a small amount of water, cover, and microwave on high power for 6-8 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. This method is efficient and convenient, ensuring your broccoli is ready in no time!
Now that your broccoli is prepared, you can move on to making the delicious Velveeta cheese sauce to pour over it.
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Making the cheese sauce
To make broccoli with a cheese sauce using Velveeta, you'll want to start by preparing the broccoli florets. Cut the broccoli into uniform, bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. You can steam or boil the broccoli, but steaming is recommended as it's a gentler method that retains the crisp texture and bright colour of the broccoli. If you're using a microwave, place the florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and cook on high for 6-8 minutes, or until crisp-tender. If you're steaming on a stovetop, place the florets in a steamer basket over simmering water and steam for 4-5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a serving dish.
Now, for the cheese sauce:
In a saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat. Whisk in an equal amount of flour—this will create a roux, which will thicken the sauce. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.
Next, gradually whisk in milk. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and bubbles. This process will take around 6-7 minutes. If you're using slices of Velveeta cheese, add them now, and stir through until melted. Alternatively, you can use grated cheddar or another similar brand of American cheese. If using grated cheese, add it gradually and stir through until melted and combined.
For a little extra flavour, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce. Keep the sauce warm and stir it regularly until you're ready to serve. This will help maintain its smooth and creamy consistency.
Finally, pour the cheese sauce over the steamed broccoli and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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Combining the broccoli and cheese
To combine broccoli and cheese using Velveeta, you can either steam or boil the broccoli. If you are using fresh broccoli, cut or break the broccoli into evenly sized pieces or sections. This will ensure that the broccoli cooks evenly.
Steaming broccoli is a gentler method than boiling as the vegetable is not immersed in boiling water. It also helps the broccoli retain its crisp texture and bright colour. To steam broccoli, you can use a pan, a steamer basket, or a microwave. If using a microwave, place the broccoli florets in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water, cover, and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
Once the broccoli is steamed, drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a serving dish. You can then melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour, and gradually add milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. You can also add milk and onion powder to the cheese sauce.
Finally, add slices of Velveeta cheese and cover, cooking on medium-low heat until the cheese melts. Stir the sauce to coat the broccoli evenly. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for added heat. Serve the broccoli and cheese sauce immediately for the smoothest and creamiest texture.
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Serving suggestions
Broccoli and cheese is a versatile side dish that pairs well with various main courses. For a hearty meal, serve it alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, meatloaf, or pork chops. It can also be a tasty addition to a potato or a salad.
If you're looking for something more comforting and indulgent, try using broccoli and cheese as a topping for nachos. You can also add a little kick to the dish by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
For a complete meal, you can make a broccoli and cheese casserole or soup. This creates a more substantial dish that can be enjoyed as a standalone meal or paired with a light salad or bread on the side.
Don't forget that broccoli and cheese is also a great way to get your family to eat their vegetables! Whether you serve it as a side dish or incorporate it into a casserole or soup, the creamy cheese sauce makes it a kid-friendly option that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
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Alternative recipes
Velveeta broccoli and cheese can be made in a variety of ways, including as a soup, a casserole, a salad, or stuffed in a potato. Here are some alternative recipes:
Stovetop Broccoli and Cheese
To make broccoli and cheese on a stovetop, start by cutting the broccoli florets into uniform bite-size pieces. Steam the broccoli florets in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a serving dish.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens and bubbles. If using Velveeta, stir in the slices and cook until melted. Finally, combine the broccoli and cheese sauce, stirring to coat the broccoli evenly.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese
For a comforting bowl of mac and cheese, cook your favourite short-cut pasta according to the package instructions. In a separate saucepan, make the cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour, then gradually adding milk. Use a combination of mild cheddar, mozzarella, and Velveeta cheese for the creamiest result. Add cooked broccoli florets to the sauce and mix well. For an extra creamy touch, boil the pasta in milk instead of water.
Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
For a baked version of this classic comfort food, prepare the mac and cheese as mentioned above, but instead of serving it immediately, transfer it to a baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake in the oven until the breadcrumbs are toasted and the cheese is bubbly.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use either frozen or fresh broccoli spears or florets. If using fresh broccoli, cut the broccoli into uniform bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
You can steam or boil the broccoli. Steaming is a gentler method than boiling and will help the broccoli retain its crisp texture and colour. To steam, place the broccoli in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, cover, and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Add salt and pepper to taste, and, if you like, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
Keep the cheese sauce warm and stir regularly until ready to use. Serve the broccoli and cheese sauce immediately, with the sauce poured over the broccoli, or served separately for people to help themselves.
