Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes

A famous cheetah once said “It ain’t easy being cheesy”, that cheetah clearly never made these Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes. This is a quick and easy way to spruce any baked potato. Serve it with steak, pork tenderloin, or even just a plain old hamburger. No matter what you end up serving these Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes with, you’re sure to fall in love with their velvety cheesy goodness that just melts in your mouth.

Roux the day

Now we understand that some people might scoff at the cheese sauce of these Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes, but we’re of the mind if it tastes good then what’s the problem. But in effort to appease those who need something “fancier”, or just want to learn something new, let us introduce you to the Cheddar Mornay Sauce. Mornay sauce is a twist on a béchamel sauce, which is one of the four “Mother Sauces”.  It’s basically just a thick, creamy, and delicious cheese sauce that you can use for a variety of things. Useful and easy to make, all you’re going to need is 3 tbsp butter, ¼ a cup flour, 2 cups milk, ½ lb of sharp cheddar cheese with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste .

Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and add the flour while constantly stirring with a wire whisk. (This is called a Roux) When that’s all blended together, slowly pour in the milk and rapidly stir with the whisk. Stir vigorously until the sauce is thickened. Add in your sharp cheddar, and stir over low heat until the cheese melts. Once it’s all melted, cook no further! Add your seasonings and congratulations you’ve made a Mornay sauce.

FAQ + Tips and Tricks for Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes

Can you make baked potatoes in the instant pot?
Yes! In a 6 quart instapot, all you need to do is add 1 cup of water and the trivet. Poke some holes in your potatoes, and place on top. Use the manual function to turn the pressure to high and set a timer for about 14 minutes, might be shorter or longer depending on potato size. After time is up, release the pressure for about 20-30 minutes, then remove your potatoes to let them cool!
Can you make the baked potatoes in a microwave?
Sure! Wash, and poke your potatoes before placing them in the microwave for 3.5 minutes then flip and cook for another 3.5 minutes. If they aren’t tender enough, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes!
Can I meal prep Cheesy Broccoli Potatoes?
Yepp! Simply bake your potatoes ahead of time, and keep them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or a sealed container in the fridge. Make sure they’re completely cool before storing! To reheat, simply pop them in the oven or microwave then top with your broccoli cheese sauce!
Do I have to use Russet Potatoes?
You don’t have to but we do recommend it. Russets are generally better at being baked potatoes due to their thicker skin, and while you could sub for Yukon gold or even Red, their thinner skins and smaller size will change the cook times. So just be aware that this recipe will need to have some adjustments made if you do substitute.