By Krista Teigen
Published Sep 26, 2025
Cheese sauce for broccoli is one of those simple comforts I never outgrew. Whether I’m trying to make veggies more exciting or just craving something cozy, this rich, creamy sauce always does the trick. It’s quick to make, super versatile, and perfect for picky eaters.
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I get it, getting kids to eat vegetables sometimes is a hassle. Adding a little something to help them along doesn’t negate the nutrients, and whatever gets them to eat is a win in my book. This cheese sauce is my secret weapon in the kitchen. It’s smooth and flavorful, with sharp cheddar, a hint of garlic and onion, and no fancy ingredients. I’ve been known to lather it on my broccoli as well. It’s also delicious on baked potatoes or roasted cauliflower. If you’ve been looking for a go-to veggie sauce, this one’s a keeper.
Tips for Beginners
- Avoid grainy cheese. This usually happens when cheese gets too hot and the proteins separate. Take the pan off the heat before adding the cheese, and stir gently until it’s fully melted for a silky-smooth texture.
- Cheese sauce thickens as it cools. Whisk in a splash or two of warm milk over low heat until you reach your desired consistency.
- Slowly add the milk. No one wants a lumpy cheese sauce, which happens when the milk is added too quickly or the roux isn’t whisked enough. Use a fine-mesh strainer to smooth it out, or whisk vigorously while gradually adding the milk.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 tbsp butter
- ▢ ¼ cup flour
- ▢ 2 cups whole milk
- ▢ ¼ tsp onion powder optional
- ▢ ¼ tsp garlic powder optional
- ▢ ½ tsp salt
- ▢ Pinch of pepper
- ▢ 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. 4 tbsp butter, ¼ cup flour
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously. 2 cups whole milk
- Whisk in the onion and garlic powders, salt, and pepper. ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, Pinch of pepper
- Take the skillet off the heat. Then, add in the cheese and stir until completely melted and incorporated. 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- Taste, and add more salt if needed.
- Pour over cooked broccoli.
Becky’s Tips
- Stir in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a tangy depth or a splash of hot sauce for a little kick.
- Sharp cheddar gives great flavor, but mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even American cheese melt beautifully.
- To make gluten-free: Try a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold milk) added after heating the milk for a gluten-free, flourless option.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cheese Sauce for Broccoli Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together .
Make the roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp butter until fully liquified. Whisk in ¼ cup all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute to remove the raw taste.
Add the milk slowly: Slowly pour in 2 cups whole milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Season the sauce: Stir in ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper. Taste and adjust.
Add the cheese: Remove from heat. Add 16 oz. of shredded sharp cheddar and stir until melted and smooth.
Serve over broccoli: Pour the sauce over steamed or roasted broccoli. Serve immediately for best texture.
How to Store and Reheat
You can make this cheese sauce ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, making weeknight dinners even easier.
When reheating, warm it slowly over low heat, whisking in a splash of milk to bring back its silky texture and prevent the cheese from splitting. I don’t recommend freezing, as cheese sauces tend to separate and become grainy once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy cheese sauce is a natural match for steamed or air fried broccoli , but it’s just as good beyond the veggie bowl. Spoon it over roasted potatoes , drizzle it on roasted cauliflower, or pour it onto nachos or pasta for instant comfort food. My kids also love it as a warm, cheesy dip for chicken tenders or soft pretzels .
More Easy Cheese sauce recipes
Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Easy Cheese Fondue Recipe
Instant Pot Queso
Crockpot Queso
Cheese Sauce for Broccoli
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¼ tsp onion powder optional
- ¼ tsp garlic powder optional
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. 4 tbsp butter, ¼ cup flour
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously. 2 cups whole milk
- Whisk in the onion and garlic powders, salt, and pepper. ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, Pinch of pepper
- Take the skillet off the heat. Then, add in the cheese and stir until completely melted and incorporated. 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- Taste, and add more salt if needed.
- Pour over cooked broccoli.
Notes
- Stir in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a tangy depth or a splash of hot sauce for a little kick.
- Sharp cheddar gives great flavor, but mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even American cheese melt beautifully.
- To make gluten-free: Try a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold milk) added after heating the milk for a gluten-free, flourless option.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
