Andy Montoya
There are many ways to melt cheese for broccoli, from making a cheese sauce to a simple sauté. A cheese sauce is a great way to get picky eaters to eat more veggies, and it's simple to make. The sauce is made with shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and a few other simple ingredients. You can also add spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a kick. To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, and then slowly add milk while whisking. Once the sauce thickens, add the cheese and stir until smooth. You can pour this sauce over steamed broccoli or roasted veggies. Alternatively, you can simply sauté broccoli in olive oil, add grated Parmesan and cheddar cheese, a splash of water, and cover to melt the cheese. This quick and easy method results in gooey, warm, and tender cheesy broccoli in less than 10 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyere, Gouda |
| Cheese texture | Shredded, grated |
| Other ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper |
| Broccoli texture | Medium-sized florets, finely chopped |
| Cooking method | Boil, sauté, bake |
| Cooking time | 8-10 minutes, 3-4 minutes, 50-60 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Side dish, over baked potatoes, roasted veggies, chicken, mac and cheese, with a baguette for dunking |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Melting cheese in a skillet with broccoli
A skillet of broccoli florets covered in melted cheese is a delicious and simple meal to make. It is a great way to get some extra greens into your diet, and the cheese adds a creamy, indulgent taste.
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Cheese (cheddar is a good option, but you can use any good melting cheese)
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Method
- Cut a head of broccoli into florets, keeping plenty of the stem attached.
- Add a generous coating of olive oil to a preheated cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the broccoli florets into the skillet, cut-side down, and season with salt.
- Cook the broccoli undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until the undersides are dark brown and the florets are bright green.
- Toss the broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the new undersides are coloured and the stems are tender.
- While the broccoli is cooking, crumble your chosen cheese into 0.5-inch pieces.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the broccoli. It will immediately start to melt, and some will drip down into the pan, creating crispy, golden brown cheese sheets.
- Once the cheese has softened and melted, with some golden brown crispy bits, it is ready to serve.
You can add a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for some extra flavour.
This is a quick and easy way to create a tasty, indulgent side dish or light meal.
Meltable Magic: Exploring Cheese Curds' Melting Potential
You may want to see also
Baking cheese with broccoli
Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination that is easy to make and is a great way to get picky eaters to eat their veggies. The dish can be customised to your preference and is a perfect side for family dinners or get-togethers.
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese
- Eggs (optional)
- Salt
- Pepper
Method
First, prepare the broccoli by steaming or boiling it. You can steam it over 1 inch of boiling water for 2 to 6 minutes, or boil it for 5 to 10 minutes until it is al dente. Drain the broccoli and dry it with paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking often. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to boil. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. You can also add eggs at this stage for a thicker consistency.
Finally, combine the broccoli and cheese sauce in a baking dish. You can top the dish with extra cheese or crushed crackers for a crunchy texture. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Tips
- Use a good quality, sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavour. Grate your own cheese for the best melting consistency.
- The dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Get creative with spices and seasonings to change up the flavour profile. Try adding cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or smoked paprika for a unique twist.
- This recipe also works well with other vegetables like cauliflower or green beans.
Melting Cheese in the Microwave for Nachos Perfection
You may want to see also
Making a cheese sauce to pour over broccoli
Ingredients:
- Broccoli
- Cheese (cheddar, Parmesan, or a good melting variety such as Gruyere or Gouda)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder or onion powder
- Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions:
First, prepare the broccoli by chopping it into medium-sized florets, leaving some stem for a nice shape. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the broccoli. Boil for about 8-10 minutes or until the broccoli is soft and reaches your desired doneness. Drain the broccoli thoroughly and set it aside.
Next, make the cheese sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes, until it bubbles and slightly darkens in color. Be careful not to let it brown. Gradually add the milk while continuing to whisk. Add the seasonings, including salt, pepper, and garlic powder or onion powder, to taste. If you want a spicy kick, you can add more cayenne pepper or smoked paprika. Continue whisking over medium heat until the sauce starts to thicken.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the shredded cheese to the saucepan, whisking continuously until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk to adjust the consistency.
Finally, plate the broccoli and pour the warm cheese sauce on top. You can season the dish with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
This cheese sauce is a crowd-pleaser and can be served with other vegetables, baked potatoes, or even as a dip for French fries. It's a simple and delicious way to make mealtime more enjoyable for both kids and adults.
Melting Parmesan: The Art of Cheesy Deliciousness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using pre-shredded cheese
Pre-shredded cheese is a convenient option when you want to save time on grating. However, it's important to note that bagged cheese may not melt as well as freshly grated cheese due to the anti-caking agents added to prevent clumping.
Here's a step-by-step guide to melting pre-shredded cheese for broccoli:
- Prepare the Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into medium-sized florets, keeping a good amount of the stem for shape and stability. Finely chopping the broccoli can also work, especially if you want smaller pieces in your dish.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Place the broccoli in the pan and season with salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli starts to brown slightly.
- Add Pre-Shredded Cheese: Once the broccoli is lightly sautéed, sprinkle your pre-shredded cheese of choice over it. Cheddar cheese is a popular option, but you can also use other melting cheeses like Gruyere or Gouda. For a stronger flavour, consider using aged or sharp cheddar.
- Add Liquid: Pour a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup) into the pan. The water will create steam, helping to cook the broccoli further and melt the cheese evenly.
- Cover and Cook: Cover the pan with a lid and continue cooking for about 1 minute. This step allows the steam to melt the cheese and finish cooking the broccoli, resulting in tender, cheesy broccoli.
- Stir and Season: Remove the lid and gently stir the contents of the pan to combine the melted cheese and broccoli. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add more salt and pepper, garlic powder, or other spices to enhance the flavour.
- Serve: Transfer the cheesy broccoli to a serving dish or plate. For an extra cheesy dish, you can add more shredded cheese on top. Serve immediately while it's warm and enjoy the gooey, cheesy goodness!
Feta Cheese Melting: The Ultimate Guide
You may want to see also
Melting cheese in a saucepan
First, grate your cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-grated cheese, which often contains additives to prevent clumping. Cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Gruyere or Gouda. For a stronger flavour, opt for an old or sharp cheddar.
Next, place your grated cheese to one side and grab a saucepan. Melt a knob of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add a spoonful of flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes. You want to cook off the flour taste, but be careful not to let it brown.
Now, slowly pour in some milk, whisking constantly. Continue whisking for another 2-3 minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken. At this point, you can add some seasonings. Cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder are all great options.
Finally, turn the heat to low and slowly add your grated cheese, whisking as you go. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk. Keep going until all the cheese is melted and you have a smooth, creamy sauce.
This cheese sauce is perfect for pouring over broccoli. Simply boil or steam your broccoli until tender, then pour over the cheese sauce and serve immediately.
Shredded Cheese Melting: Does Pre-Shredded Cheese Melt?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Parmesan, Gruyere or Gouda.
There are a few ways to melt cheese for broccoli. You can make a cheese sauce by melting butter in a pan, adding flour and milk, then stirring in the cheese. Alternatively, you can sauté broccoli in olive oil, add cheese and a splash of water, then cover and cook until the cheese has melted.
The cheese should be melted over a medium heat.
