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Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce

Featured in Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Love.

This cheesy baked potatoes recipe combines hearty russet potatoes with a velvety broccoli cheese sauce for a satisfying meatless main dish or side. Begin by preheating the oven to 425°F and baking scrubbed and oiled potatoes for 50-60 minutes until tender. While the potatoes bake, prepare the broccoli cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour to create a roux, and gradually adding milk while cooking over medium heat. Stir in spices, then slowly incorporate freshly grated cheddar cheese one handful at a time until smooth and melty. Mix in finely chopped broccoli and remove from heat. Once the potatoes are ready, slice them open, fluff the insides with a fork, and season with black pepper and fresh chives or scallions. Pour the warm broccoli cheese sauce over the potatoes and serve immediately while hot. For a quicker option, microwave the potatoes instead of baking them. Nutrition facts are estimated per serving, with adjustments possible based on portion sizes.
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Updated on Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:23:50 GMT
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Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce | cookingkeys.com

A comforting Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal. Perfectly baked potatoes are topped with a velvety homemade cheese sauce studded with tender broccoli florets, creating a dish that's both nourishing and indulgent.

Every time I make these potatoes, I'm reminded of family dinners where the cheese sauce brought everyone to the table early. The first time I added broccoli, even my vegetable-resistant teenagers cleaned their plates - proof that cheese sauce makes everything better.

Essential Ingredients

  • Large Russet Potatoes: For fluffy interior
  • Sharp Cheddar: Freshly grated only
  • Whole Milk: Creates rich sauce
  • Fresh Broccoli: Cut into small florets
  • Unsalted Butter: For roux base
  • All-Purpose Flour: Thickens sauce
  • Fresh Garlic: Minced
  • Kosher Salt: For seasoning
  • Fresh Chives: For garnish

STEP-BY-STEP PREPARATION

1. Potato Preparation:
Scrub potatoes thoroughly, pat dry, and pierce several times with a fork. Rub with olive oil and kosher salt. Place directly on center oven rack with a foil-lined baking sheet below. Bake at 425°F for 60-75 minutes until skin is crispy and center is tender.
2. Broccoli Prep:
Cut broccoli into small, uniform 1/2-inch florets. This size ensures quick, even cooking and perfect incorporation into sauce. Blanch in salted water for 2 minutes, then shock in ice bath to maintain bright color.
3. Sauce Foundation:
Create roux by melting butter in heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, whisking constantly for 1 minute until blonde in color. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Cheese Sauce Creation:
Gradually whisk in warm milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until sauce thickens enough to coat back of spoon. Reduce heat to low, add cheese handful by handful, stirring until completely melted between additions.
5. Final Assembly:
Fold blanched broccoli into finished sauce. Split potatoes, fluff insides with fork, and season with salt and pepper. Top generously with broccoli cheese sauce, finishing with extra cheese and fresh chives.
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Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Recipe | cookingkeys.com

Years of making this dish taught me that patience creates perfection. My grandmother's wisdom rings true: "A rushed roux is a ruined sauce." This attention to detail ensures silky smooth results every time.

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Delicious Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce | cookingkeys.com

This Cheesy Baked Potato with Broccoli Cheese Sauce elevates comfort food to new heights. Whether for family dinner or casual entertaining, it never fails to satisfy both cheese lovers and vegetable skeptics alike.

Storage and Make-Ahead Success

Keep leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently over low heat, whisking occasionally and adding a splash of warm milk to restore the silky consistency. Potatoes can be baked ahead and reheated in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

Temperature and Serving Variations

The key to serving is temperature - potatoes should be piping hot and cheese sauce should be warm but not too hot, which can cause separation. For entertaining, set up a potato bar with various toppings like crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or caramelized onions alongside the broccoli cheese sauce.

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Best Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce | cookingkeys.com

Customization and Scaling

This recipe easily adapts to feed a crowd. For larger gatherings, keep potatoes warm in a low oven and cheese sauce in a slow cooker on the warm setting. Consider offering different cheese combinations - sharp cheddar with smoked gouda or Monterey Jack with pepper jack for extra kick. The possibilities are endless.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
It’s best to use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can affect texture.
→ What if I don’t have a sheet pan?
You can bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack. Wrap them in foil to prevent mess if desired.
→ How long does this dish stay fresh?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to retain creaminess.
→ Can I freeze the broccoli cheese sauce?
While the sauce can be frozen, it may separate upon reheating. Stir in a bit of milk to restore its texture.
→ Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
No, this recipe contains dairy (butter, milk, and cheese). Use plant-based alternatives for a vegan version.

Creamy Veggie-Packed Meal

These cheesy baked potatoes are smothered in a flavorful broccoli cheese sauce, creating a comforting and veggie-packed meal that’s easy to make.

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

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 servings)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Potatoes

01 2 large russet potatoes
02 Olive oil for drizzling
03 Kosher salt or sea salt for sprinkling
04 Black pepper and fresh chives or scallions for seasoning to taste

→ Broccoli Cheese Sauce

05 2 TBSP unsalted butter
06 2 TBSP all-purpose flour
07 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
08 ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
09 ⅛-¼ tsp garlic powder
10 ⅛-¼ tsp salt
11 5.5 ounces freshly grated medium cheddar cheese (not bagged)
12 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets (the smaller the better)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Wash and scrub the potatoes, then poke each with a fork in a few spots. Brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt or sea salt. Bake on a sheet pan for 50-60 minutes, or until the interior is fork-tender and gives slightly when pressed.

Step 02

When there are about 5 minutes left on the potato timer, prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously as the mixture bubbles and darkens slightly. Gradually add milk while whisking, then stir in cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and simmers. Reduce heat to low and add cheese one handful at a time, whisking thoroughly between additions until smooth and melty. Mix in finely chopped broccoli and remove from heat.

Step 03

Once the potatoes are done, let them cool slightly. Slice them lengthwise and fluff the insides with a fork. Season with black pepper and fresh chives or scallions to taste. Pour the warm broccoli cheese sauce over the potatoes and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  1. For a quicker option, microwave the potatoes for 6-9 minutes instead of baking them.
  2. To lighten the dish, divide the sauce between 3 smaller potatoes or serve half a potato per person.

Tools You'll Need

  • Sheet pan (for baking potatoes)
  • Small saucepan (for making sauce)
  • Metal whisk (for blending sauce ingredients)
  • Fork (for fluffing potatoes)

Allergy Information

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