Delicious Pairings For Broccoli And Cheese: Exploring Perfect Flavor Matches

Broccoli and cheese is a classic combination, but what else goes well with it? This pairing is a favourite among kids and adults alike, and for good reason. The creamy, rich cheese sauce is usually made with cheddar, butter, flour, and milk, and goes well with steamed or boiled broccoli. But what else can you add to this dish to make it a well-rounded meal?

Broccoli and cheese with breaded pork chops

Ingredients

For the pork chops:

• 4 boneless pork chops, 1-inch thick
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or as needed

For the broccoli and cheese:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or any other shredded cheese of your choice

Method

For the pork chops:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and salt and black pepper.
• Season the flour with salt to taste on a shallow plate. In another shallow bowl, add a whisked egg.
• Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and lightly dredge them in the flour. Dip the pork chops into the egg, making sure to coat all sides. Then, dip them into the bread crumb mixture.
• Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the pork chops for 1 minute on each side.
• Place the pork chops on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 12-14 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Do not overbake.
• Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For the broccoli and cheese:

• Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan over medium heat.
• Once melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the milk, garlic powder, and pepper. Cook until thickened, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.
• Turn off the heat and whisk in the cheese until well combined.
• Serve the cheese sauce immediately over the cooked broccoli.

Tips:

• To ensure your pork chops are juicy, avoid overcooking them.
• To get a crispy crust, brown the pork chops in a pan before baking them in the oven.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if your pork chops are cooked. Pork chops are cooked when they are 145°F.
• If you want your cheese sauce to be smooth, shred the cheese yourself as it melts better.
• To avoid scalding your milk, constantly stir the mixture while cooking and do not cook over medium heat.

Baked chicken breast with broccoli and cheese

Ingredients:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can of Campbell's Oven Sauce: Cheesy Broccoli Chicken
• 4 cups of frozen broccoli florets
• 6 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Take a 2-quart Pyrex baking dish and lay the chicken breasts flat on the bottom. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Cover the chicken breasts with the frozen broccoli florets. Spread the Campbell's Cheesy Broccoli Sauce evenly over the broccoli.

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the sauce. Place the dish on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Tips:

• You can serve this dish over rice, pasta, sautéed spinach, or a bed of greens.
• If the top starts to brown too much during cooking, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
• You can also add breadcrumbs to the recipe. Add them to the top of the dish during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking for a toasty coating.

Variations:

• You can use fresh broccoli instead of frozen, but it may be a little firmer. To ensure it cooks through, cut it into smaller pieces or boil it for 1-2 minutes before adding it to the dish.
• For a spicy kick, add some chopped red bell peppers to the broccoli and cheese mixture.
• If you don't have Campbell's Cheesy Broccoli Sauce, you can substitute it with 2 cans of condensed broccoli cheese soup.

Nutritional Information:

A serving of this dish contains approximately 378 calories, with 11 grams of carbohydrates, 36 grams of protein, and 21 grams of fat.

Meatloaf with broccoli and cheese

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds of lean ground beef
• 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups of broccoli florets
• 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup of mild cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 green onions, minced
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon of ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
• Salt to taste

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, pepper, egg, basil, half the bread crumbs, and 3/4 of the green onion together with 3/4 of the salt. Set this mixture aside.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drop in the broccoli florets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain the water and mix the broccoli with the cheese, remaining bread crumbs, green onions, and salt.

Press half of the meat mixture into an 8x4 loaf pan, forming an indentation in the centre and leaving a 1-inch thick layer on the sides. Fill this hollow with the broccoli mixture. Top with the remaining meat mixture and seal well around the edges, completely enclosing the broccoli filling.

Mix the melted butter with ketchup and brush this over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for approximately one hour or until the sides pull away from the pan a little. Serve hot.

Tips and Variations

• You can use other types of cheese such as sharp cheddar, Velveeta, or a blend of your favourites.
• For extra flavour, add some garlic powder, ground mustard, or cayenne pepper to the meat mixture.
• If you're short on time, you can sauté the broccoli in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes instead of boiling it.
• For a lighter option, use ground turkey instead of beef.

Baked potatoes with broccoli and cheese

Ingredients

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 head of broccoli
• 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

First, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Wash the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. Rub them with a little olive oil and place them on a baking tray. Bake for 1 hour, or until they are soft all the way through.

While the potatoes are baking, cut the broccoli into small florets and steam or boil them until they are tender but still slightly firm. Drain the broccoli and set it aside.

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes until the mixture forms a paste. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly, to form a thick sauce.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in half of the grated cheese, along with the garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Once the potatoes are baked, remove them from the oven and cut a slit down the middle of each one. Squeeze the ends of the potatoes gently to open them up, being careful not to tear the skins.

Fill each potato with a spoonful of the cheese sauce, followed by some of the steamed broccoli. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of each potato and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for a further 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

• You can use other types of cheese instead of cheddar, such as Monterey Jack or Colby.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use milk with a higher fat content, such as whole milk or even heavy cream.
• For a spicier kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add some smoked paprika.
• This recipe can also be made with sweet potatoes instead of regular baking potatoes.

French fries with broccoli and cheese

Ingredients

• French Fries
• Broccoli
• Cheese Sauce
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, white cheddar, or parmesan)
• Seasoning (garlic powder, ground black pepper, ground mustard, cayenne pepper)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the French Fries

Start by cutting your potatoes into thin strips to create the French fries. You can cut them to your desired thickness, but thinner fries will cook faster and get crispier. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, then pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Heat a pot of oil suitable for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil) to 350-375°F (180-190°C). Fry the potatoes in small batches for 3-5 minutes until they are golden and crispy. Place the cooked fries on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while they are still hot.

Step 2: Cook the Broccoli

Wash and cut your broccoli into small florets. You can steam, boil, or sauté the broccoli until it is tender but still crisp. If you're steaming or boiling, cook for 3-5 minutes; if you're sautéing, cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat with a small amount of olive oil.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add an equal amount of flour and whisk to combine, cooking for about 2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Add your shredded cheese of choice (cheddar, Monterey jack, or white cheddar work well) and stir until melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder and ground black pepper to taste. If you want a little kick, you can also add a pinch of ground mustard or cayenne pepper.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Place the cooked French fries on a plate or in a bowl. Top with the cooked broccoli florets and drizzle the warm cheese sauce over everything. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Variations and Tips:

• You can experiment with different types of cheese for your sauce, such as a sharp cheddar for a stronger flavour or a blend of your favourite cheeses.
• If you're short on time, you can use a store-bought cheese sauce or a packet of powdered cheese sauce mix.
• For an extra crispy element, you can roast or air fry the broccoli florets instead of steaming or boiling them.
• If you want to make this dish even more indulgent, sprinkle some extra shredded cheese on top and pop it under the grill/broiler for a few minutes to create a melted, crispy topping.

Frequently asked questions