How to Make Cheese Sauce (with Hidden Veggies!)

Learn how to make Cheese Sauce for veggies, chicken, and more…with cauliflower tucked right inside for extra nutrition!

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How to Make Cheese Sauce

As you may or may not have heard me say, I’m not always a fan of putting veggies where you don’t usually expect them to go…but I do love using them when they add nutrition to other foods that our toddlers love. And the thing about using cauliflower in this cheese sauce is that it eliminates the need to stir flour into butter and milk on the stovetop—which can so quickly burn if you turn your attention away for even a few seconds that I find it really hard to do with kids in the house.

Cheese Sauce for Broccoli

This cheese sauce, which simply blends together in a blender until smooth, pairs really nicely with broccoli and is a little less salty than a traditional cheese sauce might be. It’s also gluten-free and stores well in the fridge so you can use it in a variety of ways throughout the week.

Ingredients in Healthy Cheese Sauce

To make this cheese sauce you’ll need grated cheddar cheese, butter, milk, cauliflower florets, garlic powder, and salt. That’s it! This is a nice way to use up a small amount of lingering cauliflower or to simply offer a healthy dipping sauce to go with dinner.

How to Make Cheese Sauce Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the easy process involved in learning how to make cheese sauce.

1. Add the cauliflower to a steamer basket fitted in a medium pot half filled with water set over medium heat. Cover and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add all ingredients to a blender.
3. Blend until very smooth. Season to taste with salt and additional garlic powder.

How long can I store leftovers?

This makes enough for 2-3 servings, so you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat it for 15-30 seconds in the microwave to serve. You can also toss any leftovers with pasta for a quick and healthy mac and cheese. You can of course cut the recipe in half to make less from the start—I like to have it in the fridge to use for future meals.

What goes well with this Cheese Sauce (besides broccoli!)?

Serve with additional steamed cauliflower, steamed broccoli, pretzel sticks, chicken strips, or anything else the kids might like to dip into cheese sauce!

I’d love to know what your family thinks of this recipe so please comment below to share!

Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Amy Palanjian
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This makes enough for 2-3 servings, so you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat it for 15-30 seconds in the microwave to serve. You can also toss any leftovers with pasta for a quick and healthy mac and cheese.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2  cup whole or 2% milk, warmed slightly
• 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
• Pinch garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 head broccoli

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Instructions

1. Add the cauliflower to a steamer basket fitted in a medium pot half filled with water set over medium heat. Cover and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add cauliflower, butter, milk, cheese, garlic powder, and salt to a blender. Blend until very smooth.
3. Serve with additional steamed cauliflower, steamed broccoli, fries, pretzel sticks, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Meatballs, as Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, or anything else the kids might like to dip into cheese sauce!

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Notes

Use yellow or white cheese, according to whether you’d like your sauce to be yellow or white.

You can make this up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

Stir into pasta to make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, serve as a dip for Chicken Meatballs, or as a dip for veggies, pretzel sticks, or Baked Chicken Tenders.

You can omit the garlic powder for a more mellow flavor.

You can add a pinch of mustard powder for additional flavor.

Use store bought cauliflower florets or cut up a head of cauliflower. You can also start with frozen florets.

922.1 g114.9 mg6.8 g4 g3.2 g0.5 g4.8 g20.3 mg

Filder Under:Dinner, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Recipes, Vegetables