4-Ingredient Cheesy Broccoli Bake
(broccoli and cheese)

This super simple broccoli and cheese casserole ticks all the boxes for health, comfort and ease.

There’s no messing around with making a cheese sauce.

Just turn on your oven. Set the timer and put your feet up until dinner is ready.

I LOVE using frozen broccoli here because the chopping is already done. No need to thaw just cook straight from frozen. But of course you can totally use fresh broccoli florets.

I like tuna in chilli oil for some heat but regular tuna is fine. Just use tuna in oil if you can because the texture and flavour is much nicer than tuna packed in brine or spring water.

Or if you’re not a tuna fan – see the variations below for other protein ideas.

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Broccoli and Cheese Recipe

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Cheesy Tuna & Broccoli Bake

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

• 500 g frozen broccoli
• 2 medium cans tuna 180g / 6oz each
• 2 large handfuls grated cheese
• lemon wedges optional

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250C (480F). Layer broccoli on a roasting tray so the florettes aren't touching each other. Drizzle with a little oil. Bake for 10 minutes or until broccoli is defrosted.
2. Push the hot broccoli together in a single layer. Top with tuna and grated cheese.
3. Pop back in the oven for another 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.

4. Serve hot in bowls with lemon wedges on the side freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt flakes.

Variations for Cheesy Broccoli Bake (broccoli and cheese)

fresh broccoli florets – chop 2 small heads of fresh broccoli into florets / bite sized pieces then cook as per the recipe. No need to add oil. Will take a similar amount of time to frozen broccoli.

vegetarian – replace tuna with boiled eggs, diced firm tofu or cooked chickpeas and a little more cheese.

carnivore – replace tuna with crispy bacon, cooked chorizo, chicken or sausage.

different veg – cauliflower is the best substitute. I’m thinking eggplant, zucchini and peppers might be nice too. Or roast mushrooms. Or steamed potatoes. I’ve also made something similar by wilting down sliced kale on the stove and then baking it in the oven to melt the cheese.

different cheese – any melty cheese will work well here. I like a regular cheddar cheese but a sharp cheddar cheese will be fab or parmesan, mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella, guryere, comte, emmental or halloumi. Broccoli also works well with blue cheese or cottage cheese.

dairy-free – serve the roast broccoli with tuna and lashings of your favoruite sauce like mayonnaise or dairy-free pesto or hummus.

extra seasoning flavor – black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder or chilli power or chilli flakes, sea salt flakes.

more substantial (low carb) – increase the cheese and/or the tuna or serve with smashed avocado.

more substantial (carb-lovers) – toss in cooked pasta with the tuna. Garlic bread will work as a side.

broccoli cheese soup – to turn your cheesy broccoli into a soup just put the cooked cheesy broccoli into a saucepan. Add 2 cups of water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer. For a smooth soup puree with a stick blender (immersion blender) or leave it chunky. For a broccoli cheddar soup use cheddar cheese.

microwave – to cook in the microwave defrost the broccoli then add the tuna and cheese and cook on high for another minute or until the cheese is lovely and melted.

no oven – cook the frozen broccoli in a frying pan with a splash of oil until hot then add the tuna. Pop the cheese on top and allow to sit for a few minutes for the cheese to soften from the heat below – it won’t melt as well as in the oven but will still be delicious.

broccoli cheese casserole – Grease an oven proof pot or baking dish with butter. Toss cooked pasta or rice in with the cooked broccoli mixture, tuna and add some cream if you want a moister result. Top with the cheese and cook until the cheese is melted and everything is hot.

What to serve with Broccoli and Cheese

This simple 4-ingredient meal needs no accompaniments. It’s perfect to serve on its own. But if you did want to make things more fancy you could add fresh herbs like basil or parsley or chives, baby spinach leaves, or some smashed avocado. If you wanted some heat to wake up your taste buds, try a splash of tabasco or other hot sauce or some dried chilli flakes.

The other option is to skip the tuna and serve the cheeesy broccoli as a side dish to roast chicken, cooked burgers, BBQ steak or sausages.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

broccoli – will keep wrapped in a plastic bag in the fridge for about 2 weeks or sometimes a little longer. Can be frozen (if you have time chop before freezing so it will defrost quickly in the pan).

tuna – keep it in the pantry.

cheese – most hard and melting cheeses will keep for weeks wrapped in waxed paper or baking paper and stored in an airtight container (or sealed ziplock bag) in the fridge. If you need to store for longer cheese can be frozen.

Prepare Ahead

Absolutely! Prepare everything but don’t bother with the final 5 minutes in the oven to melt the cheese. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze. To serve, pop in the oven (250C / 480F) for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is all melted and everything is hot.

Can Broccoli and Cheese be frozen?

Absolutely! Even if you’ve used frozen broccoli you can refreeze this without any problems. Will keep in the freezer for 6 months or longer.

Is Broccoli and Cheese a Healthy Meal?

Yes! Broccoli is so good for you because it’s packed with fiber and vitamins. The cheese provides calcium and some protein and more importantly makes your taste buds happy. The lemon juice give you vitamin C. This version using tuna or other protein is extra healthy because the protein will keep your body satisfied. Plus because there isn’t any rice, flour or pasta it’s a good low carb meal which will keep your blood sugar stable.

What flavour goes well with broccoli?

Broccoli has a big flavour in its own right. When roasted like the recipe here it also has a little sweetness.

Here are some of my favourite broccoli flavour pairings:

• Anchovy & Broccoli
• Beef & Broccoli
• Bacon & Broccoli
• Blue Cheese & Broccoli
• Black Pepper & Broccoli
• Cheddar Cheese & Broccoli
• Capers & Broccoli
• Garlic & Broccoli
• Goats Cheese & Broccoli
• Smoked Fish & Broccoli
• Raisins & Broccoli
• Basil & Broccoli
• Walnut & Broccoli

More Simple Recipes using Broccoli and Cheese

• Cheesey Cauli & Bacon Bake
• Cheesey Quinoa
• Beautiful Broccoli Burgers
• Hot Cheesy Chickpeas
• Broccoli Cheese
• Also seeThe Best Simple Broccoli Substitutes

With Love
Jules x

Tags: broccoli, cheese, cream, onion, tuna