Heart-Healthy Cheesy Broccoli
Give your broccoli a flavorful, health-conscious upgrade with this Heart-Healthy Cheesy Broccoli recipe. Packed with vibrant broccoli florets and smothered in a creamy, vegan cheese sauce made from nutritional yeast, unsweetened almond milk, and a hint of lemon juice, this dish is as delicious as it is nourishing. Unlike traditional cheese sauces, this dairy-free alternative is low in fat and sodium, making it perfect for anyone looking to enjoy comfort food with a nutritious twist. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe combines sautéing and steaming for perfectly tender broccoli, then finishes with a rich, velvety sauce infused with garlic, ground mustard, and paprika for extra depth of flavor. Serve it as a hearty side dish or a wholesome light entrée that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Healthy, cheesy, and satisfying—this recipe proves you don't need to sacrifice flavor for wellness!
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Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the broccoli. Rinse the broccoli florets under cold water to clean them. Cut them into bite-sized pieces if necessary and set aside.
Step 2
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the extra-virgin olive oil. Once heated, add the garlic cloves, minced. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and stir them to coat with the olive oil and garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is starting to become tender.
Step 4
Pour the low-sodium vegetable broth into the skillet with the broccoli and cover it with a lid. Let it steam for about 5-7 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender.
Step 5
While the broccoli is steaming, prepare the cheesy sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the nutritional yeast, unsweetened almond milk, cornstarch, lemon juice, ground mustard, black pepper, and paprika.
Step 6
Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the mixture begins to thicken, which should take about 5 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat.
Step 7
Once the broccoli is steamed to your desired tenderness, pour the prepared cheesy sauce over the broccoli in the skillet. Stir well so that all the florets are evenly coated and heated through.
Step 8
Serve the heart-healthy cheesy broccoli immediately as a side dish or a light main course. Enjoy your nutritious meal!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (924.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 493.2 |
| Total Fat 30.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 4.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 411.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 39.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 5.9g | |
| Protein 24.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 87.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 624.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 688.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories