20 Easy, Cheesy Broccoli Recipes

June 25, 2020
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
You'd be hard-pressed to name a better duo than broccoli and cheese. Whether you're in the mood for something cozy and indulgent (like this Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup or this Classic Broccoli and Cheese Casserole) or something a little healthier (did you know you can make amazing Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce in your air fryer?!), these easy, cheesy broccoli and cheese recipes have your name written all over them. 
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Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe
We love a good broccoli casserole and this recipe is amazing to have on hand. This Broccoli-Cheese Casserole recipe is just plain decadent and delicious. You're sure to convert any broccoli hater with this creamy casserole. Fresh steam-in-bag broccoli florets make this comforting casserole come together even faster.
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Broccoli and Rice Casseroles

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Broccoli and Rice Casseroles Recipe
Whether it’s for a special occasion or weeknight meal, this broccoli and rice casserole—complete with chicken and lots of cheese—is destined to impress. These mini casseroles are perfectly portioned and come together in 20 minutes, plus they’re brimming with flavor.

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Cheese Sauce for Broccoli or Cauliflower

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling; Tina Bell Stamos
Cheese Sauce for Broccoli or Cauliflower Recipe

Once you’ve tried Nathalie Dupree’s Cheese Sauce, you’ll never go back to your usual recipe.Her version, made simply with Cheddar, Dijon mustard, milk, and a roux, is delicious atop cooked vegetables, but you can also use it to make macaroni and cheese (just add noodles), or even as a fancy, fondue-like dip for bread.

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Creamy Broccoli-Cheddar Casserole

Jennifer Causey
Creamy Broccoli-Cheddar Casserole Recipe

This fresher take on the traditional casserole is loaded with vegetables and comes together with a homemade sauce instead of sodium-heavy canned soup.

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Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Greg DuPree
Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

Mustard adds a subtle tang that enhances the cheesy flavor of this gluten-free main.

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Broccoli-Artichoke Casserole

Jennifer Causey
Broccoli-Artichoke Casserole Recipe

Nothing says autumn like a hearty casserole—something you can make on a weekend afternoon, and have for leftovers over the next couple days. Here, rich Gruyere cheese marries with the bright acid of a dry white wine (try a Sauvignon Blanc) to bring a touch of elegance to this yummy comfort food.

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Air-Fried Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce

Gina DeSimone
Air-Fried Roasted Broccoli With Cheese Sauce Recipe
Believe it or not, your air fryer has more than one superpower. In addition to delivering crispiness without loads of fat, it also delivers crunchy roasted broccoli that doesn’t turn that oh-so-unappealing army green color. And what’s broccoli without cheese sauce? This creamy delight is easy to make ahead—just reheat it right before serving.

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Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

Photo: Antara Sinha; Food Styling: Briana Riddock
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup  Recipe
This copycat version of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup makes the fan-favorite dish easy to enjoy anytime. Plus, this simple-to-follow recipe rivals the original in terms of flavor, and at a fraction of the cost. The roux (a thickening base made of flour and butter) is used to create the soup’s signature smooth, rich consistency.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake Recipe

Cheese-filled tortellini and a chopped pecan topping add extra flavor to kid-friendly Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake, while broccoli and red bell pepper contribute pops of color throughout this one-dish meal.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Victor Protasio
Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Addings cubes of Cheddar cheese to the pasta that melt as the pasta bakes creates pockets of gooey goodness in every bite. The dish can be made through Step 2 up to 1 day in advance; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes) before proceeding with Step 3.

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Pasta with Charred Broccoli, Feta, and Lemon

Jennifer Causey
Pasta with Charred Broccoli, Feta, and Lemon Recipe

Author Colu Henry loves taking vegetables to the edge by roasting until they are deeply browned and caramelized, giving them great texture and amping up their flavor. The feta cheese emulsifies in the pasta water, creating a velvety sauce for the pasta.

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Broccoli, Cheddar, and Brown Rice Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Broccoli, Cheddar, and Brown Rice Cakes Recipe
These quick, crispy vegetarian cakes are inspired by cheesy broccoli-and-rice casserole, right down to the layer of melted cheddar cheese on top. Make the cakes ahead and refrigerate or freeze for a last-minute meal. You could also increase the number of servings and serve the cakes as a side with a simple tomato soup.
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Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta Pie

Photo: Daniel Agee; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta Pie Recipe

Three cheesey layers of al dente pasta, tender broccoli, and flavorful sausage make a satisfying pasta dish- no bowl needed.

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Broccoli and Cheddar Chicken Pasta

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Broccoli and Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe

Instead of adding broccoli florets to the pasta, a double serving is incorporated into the creamy sauce. Heat the broccoli and sear the chicken while the pasta cooking water comes to a boil. The leaner dairy components create a creamy taste without all the added calories and fat or a typical broccoli and cheddar pasta dish.

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Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders

Photo: Victor Protasio; Styling: Paige Hicks
Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders Recipe
Highlight your usual slider spread with the addition of brocolli rabe and using good quality ground sirloin. The mild flavor and cheesiness from the provolone glues the slider together with the classic meat patty and grilled broccoli rabe.
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Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen 
Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole Recipe
We traded white rice for whole-grain quinoa and kicked out any processed ingredients for a new take on this comfort classic. Freeze an extra pan of this whole-grain main for kid-friendly comfort. To add more flavor to quinoa, try toasting it.

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Cheddar and Almond Broccoli Salad 

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine 
Cheddar and Almond Broccoli Salad  Recipe

We microwave the broccoli for about half the suggested time so it maintains its texture in the salad. This dish can be made a day ahead.

 

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Broccoli-Bacon Skillet Pizza

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Lindsey Lower
Broccoli-Bacon Skillet Pizza Recipe

Microwave-in-bag fresh vegetables help this meal come together lickety-split. A hot cast-iron skillet helps to crisp the bottom of the crust while the surface gets golden brown under the broiler--no baking required.

 

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Broccoli, Cheddar, and Ranch Chicken Calzones

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Claire Spollen
Broccoli, Cheddar, and Ranch Chicken Calzones Recipe

Why order delivery, when you can make pizza at home? Put down that phone right now and bake up a mouthwatering, cheesy broccoli and ranch calzones tonight.

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Broccoli and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Broccoli and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Jazz up those mashed potatoes by adding in hearty broccoli florets and melted cheddar cheese. 

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