Sunday Suppers: Broccoli Cheddar Salad

Ok, team - I'm not going to bother lying. This salad doesn't quite fall in the "healthy" category but, it's a favorite on our holiday table. I'm talking all ages! Whether they're more carnivore than herbivore, this dish makes it to every plate and it's sooo easy!

This Broccoli Cheddar Salad isn't all dump and stir but, it's about as close as it can be. Honestly, this is so easy to make it's usually the one I let our "little helpers" make and they really love telling everyone they made it too!

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Ingredients

• 5 Cups Fresh Broccoli and/or Cauliflower (we usually do a mix)

• 2 Cups of Cheddar, Shredded or Cubed

• 1 Cup Bacon, Chopped

• 1/4 Cup Red Onion, Diced

• 1/4 Cup Green Onions, Sliced

• 5 oz Croutons (any flavor)

• 20 oz Ranch Dressing

Step 1: Let’s Get Started

If you choose to go with a whole head of broccoli and/or cauliflower, clean and trim the head into bite sized florets. Like I said above, we usually like a mix of the two but, we go for a heavier broccoli count than cauliflower but, it's great as all broccoli too!

For the cheddar, I feel like shredded is easier to help get everything on the fork for one bite but, my littlest one and my husband like cubes of cheddar. So, pick what works for you.

For the Bacon, you could totally go "bacon bits" (and believe me, we have too) and if you have serious carnivores in the house, use a heavy hand...you CANNOT go wrong here. On the onions, I do recommend a really small dice though. If you're family barely tolerates onions, leave them out!

Step 2: Get to mixin'!

Combine everything except for the ranch into the largest bowl you can find. You really need room to be able to mix carefully and softly or you'll a) make a giant mess and/or b) tear up the cheese and croutons into nothingness. I also recommend using a rubber spatula to combine so you're more folding the ingredients together than stirring.

When it looks homogeneous, then it's ranch time! Dump it in and gently mix through. Ok, so I know I said 20 oz but, measure with your heart here. You want it well soaked in dressing because it helps to soften the "bite" of the onions and, well, it makes raw broccoli edible. I'll be honest, in our picture above we went cute. At home, we add a lot more. Use what feels right! YOU CANNOT GO WRONG HERE.

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Broccoli Cheddar Salad is too good!

This is the closest thing to a healthy side dish on our holiday table but, I'm not even going to feel bad. My picky eater's eating BROCCOLI! Dinosaur trees as he calls it and I'll call it whatever he wants as I sneak a smile with my husband that he's not fighting us. This recipe has a special place in our hearts and I hope it finds its way to yours too!