Heavenly Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe for Cozy Nights

Golden, fluffy baked potatoes with broccoli create a comforting meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Friends often ask me about this simple yet satisfying dish.

Crispy potato skins packed with vibrant green florets make an irresistible combination.

Creamy insides contrast beautifully with the tender broccoli, offering a delightful texture experience.

cheese lovers can sprinkle some sharp cheddar for an extra flavor punch.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation mean you can whip this up even on busy weeknights.

Let this recipe become your go-to comfort food that promises both nutrition and deliciousness.

Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli That Satisfy Every Time

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Ready in under an hour, this recipe saves precious time while delivering maximum flavor and satisfaction for busy families.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences by swapping cheese types, adding protein, or adjusting veggie portions to suit individual tastes.
• Budget-Friendly Nutrition: Uses affordable ingredients like potatoes and broccoli to create a filling, nutritious meal that won't break the bank while providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Sauce Ingredients

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy and perfect for baking, creates a fluffy interior with crispy skin.
• Sweet Potatoes: Alternative option with a sweeter flavor profile and softer texture.
• Fresh Broccoli: Provides bright green color and nutritious vegetable element to the dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheese that adds rich, tangy flavor to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a nutty, salty complement to enhance overall cheese flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Helps season potatoes and brings out natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Helps create crispy potato skin and adds a light, fruity undertone.

• Milk: Creates smooth and creamy texture for cheese sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps thicken the cheese sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides extra luxurious and velvety consistency to the sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the cheese sauce.

Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce Comfort Food Steps

Step 1: Preparing Potatoes for Roasting

Thoroughly wash and pat dry your potatoes.

Use a fork to create multiple small punctures all over the potato surface, which helps steam escape during baking and prevents potential potato explosions.

Step 2: Seasoning and Prepping for Oven

Drizzle olive oil generously over the potatoes and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Ensure each potato is evenly coated and glistening with oil for a crispy exterior.

Step 3: Positioning Potatoes for Perfect Baking

Arrange potatoes directly on the middle oven rack or place them on a foil-lined baking sheet.

This ensures even heat circulation and easy cleanup.

Step 4: Roasting to Golden Perfection

Slide the potatoes into a preheated oven at 400°F.

Bake for 45-60 minutes, checking tenderness by piercing with a fork.

The potato should feel soft and yield easily when tested.

Step 5: Preparing Broccoli Cheese Sauce

• Fresh broccoli florets
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Steam broccoli until bright green and tender.

In a separate saucepan, create a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour.

Gradually add cream, stirring constantly.

Incorporate shredded cheese until smooth and creamy.

Fold in steamed broccoli.

Step 6: Assembling the Loaded Potatoes

Slice baked potatoes lengthwise.

Fluff interior with a fork.

Generously ladle broccoli cheese sauce over the potatoes.

Optional: Sprinkle additional cheese and chopped chives on top.

Comfort Tips For Cheesy Baked Potatoes

• Always poke multiple holes with a fork before baking to prevent potato explosions and allow steam to escape, ensuring even cooking.
• Lightly rubbing potatoes with olive oil creates a crispy skin while adding salt enhances the natural potato flavor and promotes beautiful browning.
• Whisk the cheese sauce slowly and continuously to prevent lumps, creating a smooth and creamy texture that coats broccoli and potatoes perfectly.
• Check potatoes at 45 minutes by inserting a fork – if it slides in easily, they're done; larger potatoes might need up to 60 minutes for ideal tenderness.
• Substitute regular cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives to make the recipe suitable for plant-based diets without compromising flavor.

Store Broccoli Potatoes with Cheese Sauce

• Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or seal tightly to prevent drying out.
• Warm potatoes at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle extra cheese on top to refresh the cheesy flavor.
• Heat individual potatoes for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to turn and ensure even warming. Add a splash of water to maintain moisture.
• Reheat broccoli cheese sauce separately in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent separation.

Cheesy Baked Potato Snack Pairings

• Pair Perfectly with White Wine: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of cheese and complements the creamy potato texture, offering a refreshing balance to the hearty dish.
• Complement with Crisp Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to add freshness and contrast against the heavy, cheesy potato flavors, creating a well-rounded meal experience.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside herb-crusted grilled chicken or pan-seared salmon to transform the potatoes into a complete, nutritious dinner that provides protein and additional flavor dimensions.
• Enhance with Craft Beer: Select a smooth amber ale or hoppy pale ale that matches the cheesy, comforting profile of the potatoes, adding depth and a slightly bitter counterpoint to the creamy sauce.

Cheesy Potatoes with Broccoli Sauce Adjustments

• Vegan Potato Delight: Replace cheese sauce with cashew cream blended with nutritional yeast, using plant-based milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
• Gluten-Free Spud Comfort: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, swap regular cheese for certified gluten-free cheese varieties, and use cornstarch for thickening sauce.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Substitute potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets, maintaining the same cheese sauce and baking method for a lower-carbohydrate alternative.
• Protein-Packed Potato Bowl: Add grilled chicken or crispy tofu cubes on top of the baked potatoes, enhancing the protein content and making it a more substantial meal.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

Yes, you can use Russet, Yukon Gold, or sweet potatoes. Each type will give a slightly different texture and flavor to the dish.

• Is it necessary to pierce the potatoes before baking?

Absolutely! Piercing prevents the potatoes from exploding in the oven by allowing steam to escape during cooking.

• What if I don't have olive oil for rubbing the potatoes?

You can substitute with vegetable oil or melted butter. The goal is to help the skin crisp up and add flavor.

• How do I know when the potatoes are fully cooked?

The potatoes are done when a fork can easily pierce through the flesh without resistance, and the skin looks crispy and slightly wrinkled.

Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce deliver pure comfort on a plate. Crispy potato skins cradle warm, melted cheese and tender broccoli, creating a hearty dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli (fresh or frozen, thawed)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Preparation Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Cleanse potatoes under cool running water, patting them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2. Create multiple punctures across potato surfaces using a sharp fork to allow steam ventilation during roasting.
3. Massage potatoes with a light coating of olive oil, ensuring entire exterior receives an even layer.
4. Generously season potato surfaces with kosher salt, distributing seasoning uniformly.
5. Position potatoes directly onto center oven rack, maintaining space between each potato for consistent heat circulation.
6. Roast potatoes in a preheated 400°F oven for approximately 50-55 minutes, rotating midway through cooking process.
7. Verify potato doneness by inserting a fork – it should glide smoothly through potato flesh with minimal resistance.
8. While potatoes roast, prepare broccoli cheese sauce by sautéing finely chopped broccoli until tender and vibrant green.
9. Create smooth cheese sauce by whisking together heavy cream, shredded cheddar, and subtle seasonings until silky and integrated.
10. Once potatoes complete roasting, slice open lengthwise and generously ladle warm broccoli cheese sauce over fluffy interior.
11. Garnish with additional shredded cheese and freshly chopped chives for enhanced flavor complexity and visual appeal.

Notes

• Use medium-sized russet potatoes for the best fluffy interior and crispy skin, ensuring even cooking and perfect texture.
• Consider rubbing potatoes with sea salt or flavored salts like garlic or herb salt to enhance the overall taste profile.
• For a lighter version, swap full-fat cheese with reduced-fat alternatives or use Greek yogurt in the broccoli cheese sauce to cut calories.
• If you’re dairy-free, replace cheese with nutritional yeast or cashew cream sauce to maintain a creamy, rich flavor while accommodating dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg