Tender broccoli, spiced melty cheese sauce, and grated cheddar come together in this Outback Steakhouse copycat recipe. This cheese sauce for broccoli makes a side dish that compliments any protein for meals everyone loves! This recipe is easy and delicious, and we will show you exactly how to make it!
This recipe was originally developed for Tillamook. It has since been rephotographed. All opinions are still my own, and I still use and love Tillamook cheese.
I discovered early on that one way to get kids to eat their veggies is by serving up broccoli and cheese. This amazing cheese sauce recipe really enhances the flavor of the broccoli, making it more appealing for even the pickiest eater.
I love serving this side dish up for dinner with instant pot bone-in chicken, instant pot ribs, or even steaks cooked on the grill!
Why This Recipe Works
- Combining cheese and broccoli makes it taste amazing!
- A great way to get kids to eat their veggies.
- Easy recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights but also works great for special occasions!
What Is Broccoli and Cheese?
This recipe is inspired by a side served at Outback Steak House. It's made with blanched broccoli topped with a spiced cheesy sauce and shredded cheese.
It's then baked until everything is warm and bubbly. I know that many have an aversion to broccoli - but this combination will convert even the pickiest of eaters!
Ingredients You Need
You don't need much to make broccoli with cheese sauce at home. You'll need to add the following to your grocery list:
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is traditionally used but you can make this with broccolini too!
- Butter and flour: Used to make the roux for the homemade cheese sauce.
- Milk and heavy cream: Give the sauce its rich, creamy texture.
- Spices and seasonings: Paprika, ground red pepper (cayenne), garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: For the best cheesy flavor.
How to Make This Broccoli and Cheese Recipe
If you're cooking with fresh broccoli (which I highly recommend!) start with cleaning and prepping the broccoli. Remove the thick stalk and cut it into even-sized florets.
Once you've got it ready you're ready to start with the sauce for the dish. Here's an overview of the steps, check the recipe card further down the page for detailed instructions.
- Create a roux by melting the butter in a large saucepan and adding the flour. Whisk until fragrant.
- While whisking pour in one cup of milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens.
- Then add one cup of heavy whipping cream while continuing to whisk.
- Add the spices and stir everything together.
- Add the cheese and stir until completely smooth.
PRO TIP: Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has an added ingredient that makes it gritty when melted.
- Meanwhile, blanch your broccoli by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and adding broccoli to it. Cook for one minute and then drain.
- Add the broccoli to individual baking dishes and top with the sauce.
- Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese and bake at 400 degrees for five minutes or until bubbly.
The seasoning blend in the recipe really packs a punch, bringing this dish up a notch from broccoli with cheese to cheesy delicious broccoli!!
Serving them in individual casserole dishes is also a nice touch that makes dinner time extra special.
How to Store
- Leftovers: You can store any leftovers in your fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. If possible, store the sauce and broccoli separately to make reheating easier.
- Reheat: If stored together the best method to reheat is to use the microwave. If separate, then reheat the sauce on the stove. Add more milk if it seems a bit thick after reheating. Then reheat top the broccoli with the sauce and grated cheese, and bake in the oven as directed in the recipe.
Can you freeze cheese sauce?
No, unfortunately freezing it doesn't work well. Most dairy products break down when frozen and become quite grainy.
What to Serve with Cheese Sauce for Broccoli
As a Side Dish: Serve it up with Thanksgiving Turkey for a holiday meal or Santa Maria Tri-Tip and Meatloaf for weeknight meals everyone will be excited to eat!
A Cheesy Sauce For More Than Just Broccoli: Really you can use this with just about any vegetable that pairs well with the cheesy flavored sauce. I love it with cauliflower, broccolini, fresh asparagus, or even a combination of cauliflower and broccoli.
Expert Tips
- Only blanch the broccoli for one minute. It's going to cook more in the oven and you don't want it mushy.
- The sauce is a bit spicy, so if you or your family is sensitive to the spices, feel free to reduce the amounts.
- Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself! This is the secret to an ultra-creamy cheese sauce.
FAQs
If you prefer to skip boiling water, you can use your microwave to "blanch" your broccoli. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, pour about a cup of water into the bowl, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes.
Broccoli is a good source of fiber and protein and contains iron, potassium, calcium, selenium, and magnesium as well as the vitamins A, C, E, K, and a good array of B vitamins including folic acid.
Yes of course! The combination is amazing. It works best when paired with a sharply flavored cheese.
More Side Dish Recipes You'll Love
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The Best Cheese Sauce with Broccoli (Outback Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs broccoli or broccolini, cleaned and chopped into florets
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup milk
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a saucepan melt butter. Add flour and whisk until combined. Cook until fragrant.
- Add whipping cream and milk, continue to whisk until thickened.
- Add 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese and spices, whisk until cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile blanch your broccoli and drain.
- Pour the sauce over broccoli
- Transfer broccoli to small oven safe dishes. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Only blanch the broccoli for one minute. It's going to cook more in the oven and you don't want it mushy.
- The sauce is a bit spicy, so if you or your family is sensitive to the spices, feel free to reduce the amounts.
- Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself! This is the secret for an ultra creamy cheese sauce.
Gabrielle says
Missing ingredients. Close to the actual recipe. Great attempt though.
Kadee says
Ha ha! Unfortunately I don't have their actual recipe. I'll take it if you have it!
Holly says
Half the ingredients are never used in the recipe
Kadee says
Hey Holly, not sure what you mean here? All ingredients listed are used in the recipe. I'm happy to clarify if you have some questions. :)
Emily Kemp says
This looks SO delicious, I can't wait to try it!
tami G says
so, I've never eaten at this restaurant...how spicy is the cheese sauce? I need a good sauce for veggies that even elderly can eat.
Jennifer Eckhardt says
It's a steak house. No spice whatsoever. Super delicious 😋