Cheesy Baked Broccoli Casserole: Creamy, Golden and So Good Even the Kids Ask for Seconds

Look at that cheese.

Stretching from the spoon, golden on top, bubbling at the edges of the dish. This is the side dish that disappears first at every family dinner, and the one that has converted more than a few broccoli skeptics in my kitchen.

The Side Dish That Steals the Show

Broccoli does not always get the love it deserves. Steamed and plain, it can feel like something you eat only because it is good for you.

But tuck that same broccoli into a creamy homemade cheese sauce, cover it with more cheese and bake it until golden, and suddenly everyone is reaching for a second spoonful. Even the kids. Even the grown-ups who swore they did not like vegetables.

This casserole is wonderful next to roast chicken, baked ham, meatloaf or a holiday turkey. It is also hearty enough to be a light main dish with a green salad and some crusty bread.

And it is much easier than it looks. While the broccoli cooks for just a few minutes, you make a simple sauce with butter, flour, milk and cheese. Then everything goes into one dish and the oven does the rest.

You can even assemble it a day ahead, which makes it perfect for holidays, potlucks and busy weeknights.