Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce

Cheesy Baked Potatoes with Broccoli Cheese Sauce make the most amazing meatless main dish for lunch or dinner and double as a saucy side dish. This crave-worthy recipe is an amazing way to add more veggies to your plate!

Course Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Broccoli Cheese Sauce, Cheesy Baked Potatoes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 695kcal

Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

2 large russet potatoes
olive oil for drizzling
kosher salt or sea salt for sprinkling
black pepper and fresh chives or scallions for seasoning to taste

BROCCOLI CHEESE SAUCE

2 TBSP unsalted butter
2 TBSP all purpose flour
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
⅛-¼ tsp garlic powder
⅛-¼ tsp salt
5.5 ounces freshly grated medium cheddar cheese (not bagged) I use approx. 3/4 the block
2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets - the smaller the better!

Instructions

FIRST BAKE THE POTATOES

Preheat oven to 425℉.
Wash and scrub potatoes and poke each in a few different spots with a fork. Brush all over with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt or sea salt.
Bake on a sheet pan for 50-60 minutes (cook time varies based on spud size) until the interior is fork-tender and gives a little when pressed or gently squeezed.

NEXT MAKE THE BROCCOLI CHEESE SAUCE

Make your sauce when there are about 5 minutes left on your oven timer for the potatoes. To make the sauce, first prep and measure out all your ingredients. It's much easier when they're all ready to go as this sauce comes together fast!
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once butter has melted add flour and whisk non-stop with a metal whisk as the mixture bubbles and darkens slightly in color.
Next slowly add the milk while whisking.
Add spices and continue to cook over medium until the sauce begins to thicken and simmer.
Reduce heat to lowest setting and slowly add cheese one handful at at time, whisking fully between each handful. Do this for each portion of cheese until your sauce is perfectly smooth and melty.
Mix in the broccoli and remove from heat.

STUFF THOSE SPUDS!

Once the potatoes are ready, allow them a few minutes to cool on the pan then slice lengthwise and fluff the insides with a fork. Season to taste with black pepper and some fresh chives or scallions
Pour the broccoli cheese sauce over the potatoes and add any additional salt + pepper to taste. Dig in while they're hot!

Notes

Need a speedier option? Microwaved potatoes typically take around 6-9 minutes if you're in a hurry and don't typically eat the skin.

The nutrition Facts below are estimated for each main dish sized loaded baked potato with cheese sauce using an online recipe nutrition calculator.

Feel free to divide sauce between 3 smaller potatoes or, for a lighter side, serve half a potato per person. Adjustments values as needed and enjoy!

Nutrition