Description

These Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce are a comforting and delicious meal featuring perfectly baked russet potatoes topped with a creamy, flavorful broccoli-infused cheddar cheese sauce. This recipe combines classic baked potatoes with a rich, cheesy sauce loaded with nutritious broccoli, making it perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Baked Potatoes

2 large russet potatoes
Olive oil, for drizzling
Kosher salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste

For the Broccoli Cheese Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
5.5 ounces freshly grated medium cheddar cheese
2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare and bake potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the russet potatoes clean under running water, then dry them thoroughly. Drizzle each potato with olive oil and evenly sprinkle kosher salt over them. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Bake potatoes until tender: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through to the center, indicating they are fully cooked. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Make roux for cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour continuously for about one minute to form a roux that will thicken the sauce.
Prepare cheese sauce with broccoli: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken. Add cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt to taste, stirring well. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Finally, fold in the finely chopped broccoli florets, mixing until the broccoli is evenly coated.
Assemble and serve: Once the baked potatoes are done, slice each one open lengthwise. Spoon a generous amount of the warm broccoli cheese sauce over the potatoes. Add any additional garnishes or seasonings if desired, then serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Use medium or whole milk for a creamier sauce; skim milk will produce a thinner consistency.
To speed up baking time, microwave potatoes for 5-7 minutes before baking.
For extra flavor, sprinkle some crispy bacon bits or chopped green onions as garnish.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper depending on your desired spice level.
Broccoli can be lightly steamed before adding to the sauce if you prefer a softer texture.