This Canned Soup Makes The Hands-Down Best Creamy Sauce For Broccoli

Some folks aren't eating broccoli because they can't get enough of the amazing flavor (there's a scientific reason why picky eaters don't like broccoli). The divisive veg gets slapped onto plates because of its health benefits — not its somewhat earthy, bitter taste. Thankfully, turning it into a more appealing side dish is a cinch if you double down on broccoli (and cheese) by topping it with canned soup.

Cheese sauce is frequently a go-to broccoli topping, but instead of making it from scratch, reach for a can of condensed broccoli cheddar soup (if it works for casseroles and pasta dishes, why not plain broccoli?). Heat the contents in a saucepan and mix it in or top your sauteed, roasted, or microwave-steamed broccoli with the sauce. It's that easy. If it's thicker than you prefer, or you want to reduce the saltiness, dilute it with some water, milk, or low-sodium broth. Just don't go overboard with the liquid — soup is for another day. You're going for a thick, velvety texture that can stand up to the hearty veg.

The creamy consistency and sharp cheesy notes of the canned soup mask the bitterness of the broccoli, just like a homemade cheese sauce, while taking far less time to prepare. But why stop there? By including a few extras in the canned soup sauce, you can vastly improve the flavor and texture.

Topping broccoli with canned soup is an easy upgrade that instantly makes the veg more appealing, yet there's so much more that can be done to elevate the side by taking a page from various casserole recipes. One simple way to improve the texture without any additional cooking is scattering some crispy fried onions over the sauce. If you want to go the extra mile, bake a stuffing mix on top of the cheesy broccoli for the crunch factor.

Adding bacon is another way to give the dish a textural enhancement, with the bonus of lending a savory component. Folks looking to further up the protein content could also opt to include chopped chicken or ham. Add too much, and you're essentially making a meat dish with broccoli instead of the other way around, but if that's what it takes to make the vegetable desirable, no one's judging.

You can also amp up the flavor by adding seasonings to the sauce while it heats. Paprika and garlic powder both give the sauce a lift, and cayenne pepper or chile flakes spice things up. Aromatic herbs like thyme or tarragon create a more well-rounded profile. There's no reason to hold your nose and eat broccoli like your parents just ordered you to if you up your canned soup game and take this green veggie over the top.