This easy 7 Ingredient Cheese Sauce for Broccoli recipe is the recipe that will help picky eaters like vegetables! It is so simple to make and one secret tip keeps the cheese sauce smooth and never clumpy! It goes wonderfully with freshly steamed broccoli for that classic side dish everyone loves.

Broccoli Recipes for Picky Eaters

Do you remember years and years ago on that Broccoli Salad post where I chatted about Cade surprising me by cooking a delicious steak dinner and how that was the first time I ate and enjoyed broccoli? Ever since posting about that broccoli he made me, I have received a crazy amount of emails asking for the recipe for his broccoli cheese sauce.

I feel really guilty about taking so long to write about it but Cade never measures so it took some time to figure out exactly what the recipe was. So, without any further babbling, here it is. From the man who didn’t even eat it that first night because it wasn’t healthy and he didn’t eat junk. (I’ve since cured him of that. You’re welcome.)

Ingredients for Cheese Sauce with Broccoli

This is a no roux cheese sauce meaning we aren’t using flour or butter. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star of the sauce! Sharp cheddar will give the most bold cheesy flavor. Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself for the best meltiness.
• Cornstarch: Toss the grated cheese in cornstarch to help thicken the cheese sauce as the cheese melts. Cornstarch also helps with the emulsion of the cheese and milk. Flour can also be used, but by using cornstarch, you keep the sauce gluten free.
• Evaporated Milk: Acts as the base for the creamy cheese sauce and doesn’t have the heaviness or high fat of cream. It has less water than regular milk which helps the sauce be extra creamy.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Adds flavor and hint of warmth.
• Ground Mustard: Adds flavor that enhances the flavor the cheese. Mustard is also a great emulsifier which helps keep the sauce smooth.
• Broccoli: Using fresh broccoli florets is preferred. Frozen broccoli ends up soggy and don’t hold up to the cheese sauce very well.

How to Make Homemade Cheese Sauce

1. Toss: Add the grated cheese and cornstarch to a large bowl and toss together. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Combine: Add all the ingredients for the sauce over medium-low heat and stir to combine. Whisk until the cheese is melting and it comes to a soft boil. Then whisk constantly for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Serve: Pour over cooked broccoli with fresh cracked pepper.

The secret for smooth chees

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon

This indulgent Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon makes the most amazing side dish. It’s a one skillet recipe filled with tender cauliflower and vibrant broccoli simmering in a creamy garlic sauce topped off with gooey cheese and crispy bacon! I can’t wait for dinner!

Upgrade your vegetable game with this delicious and easy recipe for creamy garlic parmesan broccoli and cauliflower topped with crispy bacon. Perfect for an easy side dish or even as a meal on its own.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower

There is so much flavor and creaminess packed into this dish, it almost seems like you aren’t even eating vegetables! Haha! Not that eating vegetables is bad! I love vegetables! But load them up with bacon and garlic and all sorts of cheese and even my picky kiddos eat them! Here is everything you need:

• Bacon: I found thick bacon worked the best, but it adds a lot of grease so make sure you follow the recipe and remove some before adding the butter.
• Butter: I prefer unsalted so that I can control the saltiness a little more.
• Onions: Regular yellow onion is great.
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets: The stars of the dish!
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Aleppo Pepper: Aleppo Pepper is a must on top. That tiny fleck of sweet heat takes this dish to a whole new level. It’s not spicy, but it adds that wonderful flavor like a spice would.
• Heavy Cream: adds all the rich creaminess to the sauce
• Lemon Juice: adds a pop of freshness that takes this dish to a new level
• Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese: We tried other cheeses like monterey jack and cheddar but the flavor was off with the garlic.

How to Make Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower

Let’s walk through each step of making this indulgent vegetables dish…

1. Cook: Fry the bacon until crispy in an oven safe pan over medium heat. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain most of the bacon grease.
2. Preheat: start the broiler
3. Sauté: Melt the butter in the skillet and add the onions. Cook it until transparent stirring occasionally.
4. Add: Place the broccoli, cauliflower and garlic and season with salt and pepper and toss everything together. Cook until the broccoli is bright green and fork tender.
5. Simmer: Pour the cream in and then reduce the heat to medium low and let it summer until the sauce thickens.
   • N

Stick of Butter Rice Recipe with Beef Broth

After falling in love with the original, it only made sense to share this Stick of Butter Rice Recipe with Beef Broth. It has the same rich, buttery texture as our chicken broth version but with a deeper, more savory flavor that pairs perfectly with hearty mains like roast beef, pulled pork, or meatloaf!

Stick of Butter Rice is the easiest, most flavorful rice side dish that will change your life! It is so easy to make with only a few ingredients, and the texture is unreal. This easy beefy side dish is a must-try for all rice lovers!

Ingredients You’ll Need For Stick of Butter Rice Recipe With Beef Broth

• Long Grain White Rice: This is the foundation of the dish. Long grain rice stays separate and fluffy while soaking up all that buttery, beefy goodness. Jasmine or basmati rice are great choices if you want a little extra aroma and texture.
• Condensed French Onion Soup: This pantry shortcut does the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor.
• Beef Broth: Bold and hearty, beef broth gives this rice a deeper, more robust flavor than the chicken version. It’s what makes this version so satisfying with red meat or winter meals.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter transforms this dish into something special. It melts into the rice as it bakes, creating a creamy, almost risotto-like texture, without any stirring. Butter with no added salt keeps things balanced, especially with the salty soup mix.

Together, these simple ingredients create a warm, comforting side dish that tastes far more indulgent than the effort it takes. Stick of Butter Rice with Beef Broth is rich, flavorful, and the kind of recipe you’ll want to make on repeat.

How to Make Stick of Butter Rice Recipe with Beef Broth:

Stick of Butter Rice with Beef Broth is a comfort food classic that’s as simple as it is satisfying. With just four pantry staples, you get a rich, savory side that pairs perfectly with anything from pot roast to grilled steak.

1. Preheat: Set your oven to 425°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Mix: In a large bowl, stir together the rice, condensed french onion soup, and beef broth. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Top: Slice the butter into small pieces and scatter evenly over the top of the rice mixture.
4. Bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Uncover: Remove the foil and bake for 20 more minut

Crispy Cheese and Herb Roasted Acorn Squash

Try this delicious and easy recipe for crispy cheese and herb roasted acorn squash. Perfect for a tasty side dish or a vegetarian main course. 

Our crispy cheese and herb roasted Parmesan acorn squash is our new favorite way to serve up the old classic. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, and kids love it. The savory squash’s delicious flavor is taken out of this world with it’s crunchy exterior. It’s like you’re eating french fries!

Ingredients To Make Savory Acorn Squash

One of the things I love about this recipe is that most of the ingredients are items we already have at home. If I grab an acorn squash at the store or from the farm stand, I know I have the rest at home ready to go. Here is what you will need:

• Acorn Squash: a small or medium size squash
• Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated from a blog will work the best
• Garlic Salt: adds flavor and saltiness
• Chili Powder: adds a little heat and bold flavor
• Dried Thyme: adds herbaceous flavor
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: helps brown and caramelize the squash
• Parsley: adds a pop of freshness

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Herb Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to cook veggies! It’s so easy and adds so much flavor. Here are the steps for making this squash recipe:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice: Half and remove the seeds from the acorn squash with a spoon and cut into 1″ slices.
3. Combine: Add the parmesan cheese and seasonings to a small bowl and stir to combine.
4. Coat: Place the squash slices on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle with the cheese mixture. Lay the squash in a single layer.
5. Roast: Stick the tray in the oven and roast for 20 minutes until fork tender.
6. Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot!

Keep scrolling to the end of the post for the recipe with all the complete instructions.

Watch How This Video is Made…

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Broccoli

Freshly sautéed broccoli and fragrant garlic are baked in a rich cream sauce topped with broiled mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Creamy Parmesan Garlic Broccoli is guaranteed to convert ANY non-broccoli lover into a full-blown fanatic!

Creamy garlic broccoli and cheese is a delicious way to change up your boring broccoli into the side dish of your dreams!

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Broccoli

This side dish recipe is quite indulgent and probably not something you would want to make every night, but if it’s a special occasion or you want a decadent vegetable dish, then this is what you will need:

• Butter: salted or unsalted work fine, you’ll just reduce the salt if you use salted
• Onion: just regular yellow onion works great
• Broccoli Florets: fresh broccoli is best, but frozen could be used if needed
  • Note: Feel free to use the stems too if you want. Just be sure to cut off the tough exterior of the stem.
• Garlic Cloves: adds flavor
• Salt and Pepper: add flavor
• Cream Cheese: adds richness and creaminess
• Heavy Cream: acts as the base for the creamy garlic parmesan sauce
• Smoked Paprika: adds flavor and smokiness to the sauce
• Lemon Juice: adds acidity and a pop of freshness
• Mozzarella Cheese: adds gooiness
• Parmesan Cheese: adds nuttiness and saltiness
• Aleppo Pepper: adds some heat and flavor and great color
  • Note: This is my latest obsession! It adds such a delicious flavor. It looks similar to red pepper flakes but it is just moderately spicy.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

No flour or cornstarch needed. We are going full cream, a little cream cheese and cheese to make this indulgent sauce! Just simmer it until it reaches your desired thickness. Here are all the steps for this recipe followed by a recipe so you can see how it all happens…

1. Prep: Preheat broiler and place a cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat and start melting the butter.
2. Sauté: Add the onions to the melted butter and cook until transparent, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook: Toss in the broccoli and minced garlic and season them with salt and pepper and let them cook until bright green and fragrant.
4. Simmer: Add the cream cheese, cream and smoked paprika and reduce the heat to low letting it simmer and thicken.
5. Finishing Touches: Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir to combine and then top with the cheeses.
6. Broil: Place the skillet in the oven and broil until the cheese is bubblin