High Protein Cheesy Broccoli

Elevate your comfort food game with this High Protein Cheesy Broccoli recipe—a wholesome, flavor-packed dish that combines tender broccoli florets, golden sautéed tofu, and protein-rich chickpeas, all enveloped in a luscious homemade cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe is loaded with plant-based protein while still delivering that classic cheesy flavor, thanks to a blend of sharp cheddar and nutritional yeast. With just 15 minutes of prep and a velvety sauce made from scratch, this dish is as satisfying as it is nutritious. Whether served as a hearty side or a standalone main course, this protein-rich cheesy broccoli is a delicious way to sneak in your veggies and fuel your day.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 200 grams extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Begin by steaming the broccoli florets in a large pot with about an inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and cook until the broccoli is tender, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2

While the broccoli is steaming, drain the tofu and wrap it in paper towels. Press gently to remove excess moisture.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pressed tofu and crumble it using a spatula. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until it starts to turn golden brown.

Step 4

Add the cooked chickpeas to the skillet with the tofu and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Remove the mixture from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook for about 1 minute, whisking continuously.

Step 6

Gradually add the milk to the roux, continuing to whisk constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 7

Add the cheddar cheese, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 8

Add the steamed broccoli and the tofu-chickpea mixture to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to combine. Ensure everything is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 9

Lower the heat and let the mixture cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure everything is heated through.

Step 10

Serve the high protein cheesy broccoli warm as a side dish or a nutritious main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1197.2 grams (1197.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1712

Total Fat 99.60g	128%
Saturated Fat 45.00g	225%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.20g
Cholesterol 208mg	69%
Sodium 3484mg	151%
Total Carbohydrate 114.00g	41%
Dietary Fiber 31.50g	113%
Total Sugars 27.30g
Protein 106.30g	213%

Vitamin D 136IU	679%
Calcium 2759mg	212%
Iron 17mg	95%
Potassium 1819mg	39%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.4%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 25.7%