Best Cheeses To Melt On Broccoli For Keto Diet

Broccoli and cheese is a delicious and nutritious dish that can be easily adapted to suit a keto diet. The key to a good keto broccoli cheese is in the sauce – a simple combination of heavy cream, mustard, spices, and shredded cheese. The cheese sauce can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, provolone, gruyère, or even blue cheese. This sauce is then poured over steamed or boiled broccoli to create a tasty, low-carb side dish.

Broccoli and cheese sauce with Dijon mustard

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound broccoli crowns, cut into 2-1/2-inch pieces (4 cups)
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 3 oz (1 cup) grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste

Method

Place 1 inch of water in a large pot, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the broccoli, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the broccoli is bright green and tender (about 8 to 10 minutes). Drain the broccoli and set it aside.

In a separate pot, bring the cream and butter to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the mixture slightly reduces and thickens (about 5 minutes).

Stir in the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from the heat and slowly whisk in the cheese a little at a time, whisking until the mixture is smooth between additions.

Divide the steamed broccoli among 4 plates, season with salt and pepper, and top each with the cheese sauce.

Tips

• You can add bacon crumbles for additional fat and protein.
• Try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a subtle smokey flavor.
• For a stretchy, gooey texture, combine mozzarella with the cheddar, or sprinkle some parmesan on top for an added layer of flavor.
• Refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy within 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keto broccoli cheese casserole

Ingredients:

• Broccoli
• Cream Cheese
• Heavy Cream
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt and Pepper
• Cheddar Cheese

Optional Ingredients:

• Bacon
• Mushrooms
• Chicken
• Gruyere
• Colby Jack
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C.
• Steam or boil the broccoli until it's slightly tender but still retains a bit of crunch. Drain well and place in a mixing bowl.
• In a saucepan, combine garlic, butter, salt, pepper, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
• Add the creamy cheese sauce and 2 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese to the broccoli. Mix gently and transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Tips:

• For a heartier casserole, add diced bacon, shredded chicken, or ground beef.
• For a subtle tangy flavor, swap half of the heavy cream with sour cream.
• For a stretchy, gooey texture, combine mozzarella with cheddar, or sprinkle some parmesan on top.
• Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Broccoli cheese casserole with Ritz crackers

Ingredients:

• 6 cups broccoli florets (about three stalks, or a 15-ounce bag of frozen broccoli)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (optional: Duke's)
• 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup (1 can)
• 1 and 1/3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 10-15 crackers)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Optional add-ins:

• 1 cup cooked, chopped chicken or 2 cups cooked brown rice, white rice, or orzo
• 1/2 cup cauliflower
• Pork chops
• Parmesan cheese

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of grated cheese in a large bowl.
• Add the broccoli to the cheese mixture and mix well.
• Place the Ritz crackers in a food processor and process until crushed. Add the melted butter and pulse a few times to combine. Alternatively, manually crush the Ritz crackers with your hands and mix with the melted butter.
• Liberally spray a 2-quart casserole dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Add the broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
• Top with the Ritz cracker crumbs and the remaining shredded cheese.
• Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until it is bubbly and the cracker crust is golden brown. Let it sit for about five minutes and serve hot.

Tips:

• This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply assemble the dish, but do not add the cracker topping. Cover and refrigerate, then add the topping and bake as directed when you are ready to serve.
• To freeze, make the casserole as directed, but do not bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking it.
• To store leftovers, let the casserole come to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can be safely stored in the fridge for about 3-4 days or frozen in the freezer for 2-3 months.
• To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F. Transfer the casserole to an oven-safe dish if it isn't already in one. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to help retain moisture and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, place a casserole serving on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check and continue heating in 30-second increments if needed.

Broccoli cheese bake with salted butter

Ingredients

• 1 pound of broccoli cut into florets
• 4 ounces of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of salted butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

Method

Preheat your oven to 200C/390F. Steam or boil the broccoli until it's still crunchy on the inside. Drain the broccoli well and place it into a large mixing bowl.

Place the garlic, butter, salt, pepper, cream cheese, and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 7-10 minutes, stirring until the cream cheese has melted.

Add the sauce to the broccoli, along with 2 ounces of the cheddar cheese, and gently mix. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheddar cheese.

Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned. Serve immediately.

Tips

• If you like adding meat to your casseroles, try diced bacon, shredded chicken, or ground beef. Be sure to cook the meat first.
• For a slightly tangy twist, try adding 1/2 sour cream and 1/2 heavy cream.
• For a stretchy, gooey texture, combine mozzarella with the cheddar, or add a little parmesan for more bite.
• You can store this bake in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Broccoli and cheese with heavy cream

Ingredients

• Broccoli
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, etc.)
• Optional: garlic, bacon, chicken, beef, etc.

Method

First, steam or boil the broccoli until it is tender but still slightly crunchy. Drain the water and place the broccoli in a mixing bowl.

Next, make the cheese sauce. In a saucepan, combine butter, salt, pepper, and heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, or other spices to taste. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the shredded cheese, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth.

Finally, add the cheese sauce to the broccoli and mix gently. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and top with additional cheese, if desired. Bake in the oven at 350-390°F for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips and Variations

• You can add meat such as bacon, chicken, or beef to make it a heartier meal.
• Try different types of cheese such as mozzarella, Gruyère, Colby Jack, or Parmesan.
• For a tangy twist, swap half of the heavy cream with sour cream.
• This dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen until ready to bake.
• If you prefer your broccoli more well-done, cook it longer before adding the cheese sauce.

Frequently asked questions