Broccoli cheese bake
Enjoy this comforting broccoli cheese bake, where tender broccoli is enveloped in a smooth, flavourful, creamy cheese sauce with sharp cheddar and Parmesan bringing richness, and Dijon mustard adding warmth. Baked under crunchy panko, it emerges crisp, golden, and bubbling, and some crispy bacon and parsley on top make a luxurious finish.
Ingredients
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1
Large broccoli
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3 tbsp
Panko breadcrumbs
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Butter (to grease the pan)
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Cheese sauce
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1
Onion
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1
Garlic clove
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35 g
Butter
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2 tbsp
Plain flour
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200 ml
Cream
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80 g
Cheddar cheese, grated
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30 g
Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 tsp
Dijon mustard
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A small pinch of nutmeg, freshly grated
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½ tsp
Salt
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Freshly ground pepper
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To serve
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100 g
Crispy bacon
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Fresh parsley
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Instructions
Cheese sauce
To serve
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
If you want to cut down on prep time without losing the homemade flavour, use pre-cut broccoli florets to skip the trimming and chopping. You can also grate the cheese in advance or use a food processor to speed things up. These small shortcuts keep the dish quick to assemble, so you can get the bake into the oven faster.
This bake is easy to vary with other vegetables, such as cauliflower, peas, carrots, or peppers. Blanch or steam the firmer ones briefly so they soften at the same rate as the broccoli. Keep the total amount of vegetables roughly the same as in the recipe to maintain the right sauce-to-vegetable balance and ensure a creamy result.
FAQ: Questions about broccoli cheese bake
If you want to get the most out of your broccoli cheese bake, our FAQ covers the questions that come up most often, so you can ensure the bake turns out creamy, golden, and reliably delicious every time.
Can I prepare broccoli cheese bake ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the bake a few hours ahead to make it easier and quicker at serving time. Keep the assembled dish covered in the fridge, but add the panko topping just before baking to keep it crisp. Bake as usual, adding a few extra minutes if necessary.
How do I prevent the sauce from curdling?
Avoid curdling the cheese sauce by taking the pan with the almost-finished sauce off the heat before adding the cheese. Stir it in gradually until just melted. Also, do not boil the sauce once the cheese is added, as high heat can cause it to split or turn grainy.
Can I freeze broccoli cheese bake?
Yes, you can freeze the bake either cooked or uncooked. For the best texture, freeze it unbaked and add the panko topping right before cooking. If freezing after baking, cool it completely first and wrap it well. Bake it from frozen or thaw it overnight in the fridge. Keep in mind that the broccoli may soften slightly after freezing, but the dish will still reheat well.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
308 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
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| Fibre | - | 3.3 g |
| Protein | 19.5 % | 14.8 g |
| Fat | 70.7 % | 24.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.8 % | 7.4 g |
Prepare a delicious broccoli cheese bake
This broccoli cheese bake is comfort food in its most satisfying form: soft, lightly cooked broccoli wrapped in a smooth, creamy cheese sauce, finished with a crisp, golden topping. The combination of cheddar and Parmesan lends the sauce both richness and depth, while a touch of Dijon and nutmeg adds warmth and gentle complexity without dominating the broccoli florets. When the bake comes out of the oven, the crunchy panko contrasts beautifully with the rich, velvety interior, creating a dish that feels indulgent yet homey and familiar.
A creamy cheese sauce with cheddar, Parmesan, and Dijon mustard
The sauce is what gives this bake its character. Cheddar melts into a soft, luscious base, Parmesan adds savoury intensity and helps thicken it, and Dijon contributes a subtle brightness and sharpness that keeps the richness balanced. The sauce is full of flavour, smooth, and glossy, coating each floret with a satisfying, comforting layer of cheesy, complex flavour.
Topped with crispy bacon and fresh parsley
Crispy bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that cuts through the creaminess, while parsley brings a light, herbal freshness that keeps the dish from feeling heavy. Together, these toppings give both colour and contrast, making the bake feel complete without adding unnecessary complexity.
An easy oven dish for weeknight dinners
When time is short, but you still want something warm, filling, and genuinely delicious, go for this broccoli cheese bake. It comes together quickly and needs very little hands-on time, making it ideal for busy evenings as well as cosy family meals.
If you enjoy this kind of simple, satisfying oven bake, you might also like some of our other recipes with minimal preparation time and flavours that make even a weekday dinner feel special: our cheesy potato bake delivers the same creamy richness as the broccoli bake, these delicious stuffed mushrooms are both easy and full of umami, and the colourful halloumi traybake comes together in just one tray with minimal effort.
Make it your own with different cheeses and add-ins
Make a few small changes to give the recipe a new character. Experiment with the cheeses, mixing in a handful of another melting cheese alongside the cheddar and Parmesan; options like Gruyère, Swiss, or provolone add a subtle nuttiness and a silkier texture, giving the sauce a slightly different aroma and depth.
You can also turn it into a full main dish by folding in cooked chicken, turkey, or ham, or chickpeas, cooked lentils, white beans, or small cubes of halloumi or firm tofu. Also, small additions of vegetables, such as cauliflower florets or peas, blend naturally into the recipe and conveniently bake at the same time as the broccoli. However, be sure not to add too much extra, so you maintain a balance between the sauce and the vegetables.
