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Broccoli Cheese Baked Potatoes

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Transform plain baked potatoes into something special by topping them with a creamy cheese sauce featuring finely chopped broccoli. You'll use freshly shredded cheddar for a smooth texture, and cutting the broccoli small ensures it blends perfectly. The homemade sauce adds a rich flavor far beyond anything store-bought. Serve it as a satisfying vegetarian dish or an indulgent side that sneaks in a dose of veggies.
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Updated on Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:54:52 GMT
Velvety Cheese Sauce on Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Pin it
Velvety Cheese Sauce on Baked Potatoes with Broccoli | chefmelt.com

These Hearty Spuds with Broccoli Cheddar Topping turn basic ingredients into a filling dinner. Each potato comes out with a soft, fluffy center and crispy skin, topped with a smooth homemade cheese mixture packed with little broccoli bits.

Whenever I cook these potatoes, they bring back memories of the stuffed spuds my mom would make when it was cold outside. The first time I tossed broccoli into the cheese mixture, even the veggie-haters in my family ate everything on their plates.

Key Components

  • Big Russet Potatoes: They get super fluffy
  • Sharp Cheddar: Grate it yourself
  • Fresh Broccoli: Broken into tiny pieces
  • Unsalted Butter: Makes the sauce base
  • Whole Milk: Gives the sauce body
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken things up
  • Fresh Garlic: Chopped small
  • Kosher Salt: Brings out flavor
  • Fresh Chives: Sprinkled on top

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. Get Your Potatoes Ready:
Wash potatoes well and dry them off. Rub with some olive oil and kosher salt. Poke holes with a fork. Bake at 425°F for 50-60 minutes till soft inside. If you're in a rush, microwave for 8-10 minutes instead.
2. Fix Up The Broccoli:
Chop broccoli into tiny, even pieces - keep them bite-sized. This helps them cook evenly and mix well in the sauce. If you like softer broccoli, dunk them quickly in salty water first.
3. Start The Sauce:
Make a base by melting butter over medium heat, then add flour. Keep stirring for 1 minute until it looks golden. Throw in the chopped garlic and cook for half a minute until it smells good.
4. Make It Cheesy:
Slowly pour in warm milk while stirring non-stop to avoid lumps. Cook until it thickens up. Turn down the heat, then add cheese bit by bit, making sure each handful melts before adding more.
5. Put It All Together:
Cut open the potatoes and fluff the insides with a fork. Add some salt and pepper. Pour plenty of cheese sauce on top, then sprinkle with extra cheese and fresh chives.
Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe Pin it
Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe | chefmelt.com

Learning to make the perfect cheese topping taught me to take my time. My grandma always said "If you rush the base, you'll mess up the sauce." This careful approach makes sure it comes out smooth every single time.

Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Pin it
Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce | chefmelt.com

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Keep any extra potatoes and cheese sauce in different sealed containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When warming up the sauce, heat it slowly on low, stirring now and then and adding a splash of warm milk to make it smooth again. You can warm potatoes in a 350°F oven until hot, or use a microwave at half power.

Serving Ideas and Options

These potatoes taste best when they're super hot and the cheese sauce is at its creamiest. For a full meal, serve with a simple green salad or some roasted veggies. On busy nights, set out bowls with extra cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, and chives so everyone can dress up their own potato.

Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe Pin it
Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe | chefmelt.com

Fun Twists

Switch things up by changing the cheese. Try white cheddar, smoked gouda, or pepper jack for totally different flavors. Toss in some cooked mushrooms or browned onions to the cheese sauce for more depth. Want something lighter? Mix cauliflower with the broccoli, or swap some cheese with mashed butternut squash to add nutrients while keeping that creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep the sauce early?
Yep, you can make it two days before. Just reheat gently and mix in a splash of milk if it's too thick.
→ Why use freshly grated cheese?
Pre-grated cheese has stuff added to stop clumping, which can mess up the sauce's texture.
→ Can you freeze it?
The potatoes freeze fine, but the sauce is way better when fresh.
→ Why chop the broccoli so small?
Tiny pieces cook quicker and mix into the sauce nicely.
→ Any gluten-free options?
Yeah, just swap the flour for cornstarch or a gluten-free mix.

Broccoli Cheese Baked Potatoes

Soft, fluffy potatoes smothered with a velvety cheese sauce and bits of broccoli. A hearty option as a meal or side.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
50 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 stuffed potatoes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Potatoes

01 Black pepper and fresh chives or scallions, as desired
02 A drizzle of olive oil
03 A sprinkle of kosher or sea salt
04 2 large russet potatoes

→ Broccoli Cheese Sauce

05 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
06 1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
07 5.5 ounces medium cheddar, grated fresh
08 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 2 cups chopped small broccoli florets
10 1 cup milk (2% or whole milk work)
11 A pinch of salt, about 1/8-1/4 teaspoon
12 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 425°F, scrub and dry the potatoes, poke a few holes with a fork, coat lightly with some oil, and sprinkle with salt.

Step 02

Pop the potatoes on a baking sheet and cook them for 50 to 60 minutes, or until soft enough to easily pierce with a fork.

Step 03

Melt the butter in a pan, stir the flour in, and let it bubble. Slowly whisk in the milk, toss in the spices, and let it thicken up.

Step 04

Lower the heat, stir in the cheese bit by bit until melted, then add the broccoli, give it a good stir, and take it off the heat.

Step 05

Cut open the potatoes, fluff up the inside, sprinkle with pep and chives, and pour that cheesy broccoli goodness on top.

Notes

  1. You can microwave the potatoes for 6-9 minutes if you're in a rush.
  2. Freshly grated cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded.
  3. Works as a filling main or a hearty side.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking tray
  • Small pot
  • Hand whisk
  • Box grater

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (milk, cheese, butter)
  • Contains wheat (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 695
  • Total Fat: 40 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
  • Protein: 30 g