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

The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe

This lasagna soup recipe has everything you love about classic lasagna with savory meat, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melty cheese all in one cozy bowl.

A few years ago my husband and I had the chance to go to New York and film two episodes of Paula’s Party. It was such a fun experience. We even got to meet Carson Kressley, Cheri Oteri, Jason Priestly and a bunch of others. One of the dishes Paula made was Tastes Like Lasagna Soup and it smelled amazing. We were so disappointed we didn’t get to taste it, so when we got home we created our own version. It quickly became a favorite.

There’s just something about lasagna soup that feels like home. It’s saucy, cheesy, cozy, and truly the best kind of comfort food.

Ingredients for Lasagna Soup

This soup recipe is a cross between a creamy soup and broth soup due to the addition of a little ricotta. It’s hearty, beefy, and delicious. In other words, perfection. Here is what you will need:

• Olive Oil: For sautéing veggies
• Minced Vegetables: Diced onion (red), garlic, and bell peppers
• Fresh Herbs: Oregano, parsley, and basil
• Ground Beef: 80/20 for rich flavor
• Beef Broth: Forms the soup base
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds creaminess
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Smoky flavor with a hint of heat
• Marinara Sauce: Rao’s recommended (stock up at Costco sales!)
• Parmesan Rind: Simmer for flavor, remove before serving
• Lasagna Noodles: Use broken pieces or break up fresh ones
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melty and gooey topping
• Garlic Bread: Optional but perfect for dipping

Scroll to the end of the post to the recipe card to see all the measurements and details.

How to Make Lasagna Soup

This recipe comes together so quickly, and the steps are super easy. Here are the basic steps:

1. Sauté: Cook the vegetables until tender, then stir in the herbs and seasonings.
2. Brown: Add the beef, cook until browned, and drain any excess grease.
3. Simmer:Stir in all remaining ingredients (except pasta and cheese) and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to all day for deeper flavor.
4. Add: D

Sizzling Oil Greek Feta Dip

This Sizzling Oil Greek Feta Dip has become our family’s obsession! If you’re looking for a simple, crowd pleasing Greek appetizer that can be prepared in minutes, this is it! All you need is olive oil, herbs, feta and garlic! We love it served with crostini!

Why We Love Sizzling Oil Feta Dip with Crostini

As you know, our Sizzling Oil Appetizer and our Sizzling Oil Spaghetti have gone crazy online and for good reason. I honestly think that when something sounds, smells and looks appetizing it literally ends up more appetizing.

We are all obsessed with the show stopping moment that the sizzling, popping hot oil is poured out over the noodles. So what else could we make for that moment? A feta dip of course! Just wait until you serve this Herby Feta Appetizer!

Ingredients for Sizzling Oil Feta

• Olive Oil: Helps cook the garlic and acts as the “sauce” for the feta.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic so it ends up a little toasted.
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, Oregano (or Marjoram), Rosemary and Basil
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds flavor and a little heat.
• Kosher Salt: Adds flavor.
• Balsamic Glaze: Adds acidity and a little sweetness as a cooked down syrup. (TIP: Balsamic Vinegar works fine too)
• Feta: Make sure you buy the block, even if you choose to break it up ahead of time for easier dipping.
• Crostini: The perfect vessel for carrying cheese straight to mouth

How to Make Sizzling Oil Feta Dip

1. Mix: Place all the herbs, garlic and spices in a shallow bowl and mix to combine. Or add the garlic to the oil for a toasted garlic flavor. Spread over the feta.
2. Heat: Add the oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and let it toast.
   • PRO TIP: Pay close attention to the garlic because it will brown quickly and you don’t want it to burn.
3. Pour: Pour the hot oil and garlic over the top of the herbs mixture and feta. Drizzle with some balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
4. Eat: Dig in!

FAQ

Cheesy Stuffed Grilled Peppers

These Grilled Cheesy Stuffed Peppers are the ultimate indulgent appetizer! Tender yellow peppers are filled with melty queso fresco and seasoned to perfection, then grilled to golden, bubbly bliss.

The result? A smoky, cheesy bite that’s slightly charred on the outside and oozing with flavor on the inside. Perfect for a cozy side dish or a fun, flavorful appetizer!

Watch How These Stuffed Peppers are Made…

That’s right cream cheese jalapeno peppers, you’ve got competition. Bring it! Or don’t because I totally don’t think there’s an actual winner since they are different, but this is my personal favorite for all summer long. I hope that by the end of the post I will have you convinced that this really is the best grilled stuffed pepper recipe.

Making This Recipe

First thing first, this recipe is one that my sweet brother in law, Jake taught Cade years ago and Cade actually had to beg me to try. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you may have noticed that there aren’t really any spicy recipes on here. Yup, I’m a wimp. I don’t enjoy spicy. If it has great flavor I can kind of understand but I still don’t enjoy it. Well, Cade and I had just had our first baby and within a week we were on our way to California to do summer sales.

It was horrible and such a long drive. And don’t worry, we had to take both our cars so I drove one and my sweet husband drove the other. For anyone that has just had a baby, just think about driving from Utah to San Diego with a newborn you were trying to nurse for the first time ever, not to mention one you had just given birth to. Yup!

Anyway, that’s where Cade had to beg me to try these cheesy stuffed peppers which he promised would not be spicy. In fact, they are really yummy and we all know that queso fresco cheese is my favorite. The biggest thing to remember is that the seeds hold the spice which means you want to pull them out but also it can burn your fingers so use plastic gloves or be careful and use a paring knife to get them out. But truly, if I love them, you for sure will. And they are so easy for summer grilling which is awesome.

Ingredients for Cheese Stuffed Grilled Peppers

This recipe is easily scalable depending on the size of y

Easy One Skillet Pesto Asparagus Quinoa Recipe

This Easy Pesto Asparagus Quinoa Recipe is a fresh, vibrant dish packed with creamy pesto, tender asparagus, fluffy quinoa, and melty cheese — all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a wholesome, one-pan wonder that’s bursting with flavor and ready in no time!

This one skillet pesto asparagus quinoa recipe is one of our favorite healthy dinners that takes hardly any work on your part. Vibrant basil pesto is the perfect addition to take simple quinoa to spectacularly delicious! We are using vegetable broth to cook the quinoa too which makes this a scrumptious vegetarian recipe!

Casseroles have always done well here at Oh Sweet Basil! They are family friendly and usually easy on the budget. We will forever loooove our teriyaki chicken casserole and of course, my mom’s busy day casserole. But this asparagus pesto quinoa casserole is probably our most healthy casserole, so everyone needs to try it!

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa is a flowering plant with edible seeds. Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids.

It is also high in fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants.

Quinoa is often used as an alternative for grains such as rice. In fact, we transformed our popular cilantro lime rice into cilantro lime quinoa. It’s fabulous!

What is Needed to Make Pesto Quinoa with Asparagus?

You only need one skillet and a few simple ingredients to make this easy weeknight dinner recipe! Here is everything you’ll need:

• Olive Oil: Helps cook the asparagus and tomatoes.
• Asparagus: Trim the spears and chop them into 1-2″ pieces.
• Sea Salt: Amplifies the flavor of the dish.
• Grape Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes also work great.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds extra flavor to the dish.
• Quinoa: Any type of quinoa works great in this recipe. We used white quinoa this time.
• Vegetable Broth: Adds more flavor than just using water. It can be substituted with chicken broth if desired.
• Pesto: You can make your own from scratch or buy a bottle at the grocery store.
• Mozzarella Chees