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