No butter needed to make this Olive Oil Cheese Sauce. It’s perfect for dipping chips, making macaroni and cheese or topping vegetables.
This post was sponsored by Pompeian. I was compensated for my time. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hi Friends!
I’m teaming up once again with my friends at Pompeian to share another quick & easy recipe with you! In case you didn’t know, August is National Olive Oil Month. As a fun challenge this month, Pompeian is encouraging people to take the Pompeian Pledge and swap butter for olive oil in everyday recipes!
I do think butter can be part of a balanced diet and do use it frequently when cooking and baking, so at first I was unsure about this challenge. But I also believe that variety is key and think it’s a great idea to use a variety of healthy fats while cooking and baking! So, I thought this month’s challenge would be a fun way to push myself to use olive oil (another great, healthy fat) in a recipe where I’d typically use butter.
One of the places I always use butter is when creating a homemade cheese sauce. This time, I decided to try making one with olive oil! And, in an effort to expand my horizons beyond homemade mac and cheese, which I’ve been eating a lot of lately, I thought I’d try this new sauce drizzled over broccoli!
Here’s how you make it:
Cheesy Broccoli
A homemade cheese sauce made with olive oil instead of butter that's great for drizzling over veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 11/2 Tsbp flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup milk (I used skim, 2% would also be good), room temperature
- 4 oz cheese, grated (I used colby jack, cheddar would also be a good choice)
- steamed broccoli or other veggies
Instructions
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and mix until combined.
- Slowly add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add cheese and spices and stir until melted.
- Reduce heat and let sauce thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Pour over steamed vegetables and serve immediately.
I noticed that the sauce is a bit grainer when using olive oil so it’s best to make just before serving and serve immediately, not let it sit….but it tastes great and is the perfect way to add a little flavor to your favorite steamed veggies!
If you’re interested in taking the Pompeian Pledge yourself for a chance to win prizes, visit their Facebook page and click the Pompeian Pledge tab at the top!
- At the top of the timeline, find instructions to pledge to switch from butter to olive oil in your recipes during the month of August, National Olive Oil month
- 1,000 people who take the pledge will be randomly selected to win a coupon for a free bottle of Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, along with a free movie rental
- On Pompeian’s Facebook timeline, they’ll also be giving away movie prize packs throughout the month
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
I’m totally trying this / I love love love all cheese and cheese sauces and this looks really easy!
I’m such a big cheese lover and always like have cheese with broccoli! This looks so delicious!
I like the olive oil idea! It makes the recipe lighter than usual cheese sauces!
Cheese sauce over broccoli brings me back to my childhood. 🙂
haha it’s a childhood memory for my hubby too!
Some spices or herbs would match well with the cheese
Like chili powder, etc
I agree. I like to use spicy hummus for a spice factor but if I use plain, I think paprika would be great!
As though broccoli couldn’t get any better…..love it.
Yumm! Nothing goes better with broccoli than cheese! 🙂
Kyle LOVES cheesey broccoli – but his family always made it with Velveeta. We’ll need to try this!
major upgrade 😉
Brocolli and cheese are a perfect pairing!
I love, love, love broccoli; although, Justin isn’t always a fan. I think if I smothered it in cheese though, he may change his mind! 😉 Sounds wonderful!
sounds like a perfect plan to me!
I always use butter for cheese sauce too – I’ve never even though to use olive oil! This looks great though!
One of my families favorites!! Total comfort food!
yum! i do love me some EVOO.
Preparing for motherhood–how to get the kiddos to eat veggies 🙂
you know it girl!
There is no better way to eat broccoli 🙂
This looks delicious! I was just saying yesterday night how my favorite way to eat broccoli is with cheese! haha
perfect timing!
I haven’t had broccoli and cheese in so long! Totally going to try this.
Umm … yum!
I love broccoli with cheese sauce … can’t wait to try your version!
i will have to try that…does it have olive taste though?
not that i noticed! i used a very light flavored olive oil. i just tasted cheese 🙂
Oh, that cheese sauce looks so good!
Looks great. I wonder if you could use almond milk and Daiya for a vegan (lactose free) version.
never know til you try!
I love broccoli with cheese 🙂
Yum, I would have never thought of using olive oil in a cheesy sauce… great idea!
I made this last night but with a couple of substitutions for me:
I sauteed half a small onion and 2 cloves of garlic (finely diced) instead of powder
I used Havarti Cheese
It was sooo good! Glad I found this recipe for a butter-less sauce before the others cause my family couldn’t get enough!
awesome! so glad to hear it!