Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Easy and delicious Parmesan Roasted Broccoli that makes a great side dish for virtually any meal. You'll be shocked at how good broccoli can taste when it is roasted and coated in a little Parmesan cheese.

This is the broccoli recipe I make for people who say they don't like broccoli. Turns out most of them have never had delicious, nutty, roasted broccoli. It truly is a completely different vegetable when its roasted and has so much more flavor than when it is steamed. This version takes simple roasted broccoli made with olive oil, salt, and pepper to another level. Toasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice is the trifecta of flavor. So good, so easy, and the way to make anyone love broccoli.

We also can't talk about this recipe without talking about the crispy roasted garlic slices. They are heaven. Each little slice of garlic gets toasty and brown and seriously yummy. There is a fight for the last one every time I serve this simple side dish. Since we love the garlic so much, I usually add at least two cloves, sometimes more.

How to roast broccoli

Roasting broccoli is an easy and fast way to cook broccoli. It only takes about twenty minutes and produces some of the best broccoli you will ever eat. Here's how to roast broccoli so it comes out perfectly every time.

• Prep the broccoli: Start by cutting the broccoli into smaller florets, especially if you love the crispy edges. Smaller pieces means more crispy edges. I also like to cut my broccoli into flat florets so that more of the broccoli touches the pans and browns. Next make sure your broccoli is completely dry. Moisture leads to steaming. Use a kitchen towel to get the florets nice and dry.
• Coat with oil: Next add a light coating of oil to the broccoli. Olive oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil all work. Then season with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
• Roast: Cook the broccoli at a high temperature so it will crisp up. I like to cook mine at 425 but it will also work at 400 or 450 degrees if you are sharing the oven with another dish.
• Flip: A little over half way through roasting the broccoli, you will want to flip it. This takes an extra minute but it means both sides can get nice and browned.

What's the best Parmesan cheese to use?

Not all Parmesan cheese is created equal and there are so many different options - grated, shredded, powder, and more. Each one has a different purpose and they can greatly range in quality and flavor. Personally, I almost never buy the un-refrigerated Parmesan cheese powders that you can find near the pasta. I find they lack flavor and have a lot of additives to make them shelf stable.

Instead, I look for refrigerated Parmesan cheese. For this recipe since we want a melted cheese, I like to buy the shredded Parmesan that comes in fine strands, similar to shredded cheese. And if you have time, shred the Parmesan cheese fresh from a larger block. That always tastes the best!

Ideas for Using Roasted Parmesan Broccoli

Although this makes an incredible side dish, there are so many other ways to use it.Consider making a double or triple batch so you can take advantage of the leftovers:

• Scrambles, frittatas, and quiche: Broccoli and eggs make a delicious combination. Add chopped roasted broccoli to your morning scramble, a quick frittata, or a weekend quiche.
• Sandwiches and wraps: Roasted veggies make a normal sandwich something special. Layer some turkey, cheese, Dijon mustard, and this Parmesan broccoli on bread and lightly grill or toast it for an amazing sandwich.
• Salads: Adding roasted vegetables to a salad is a way to really kick things up a notch. I love the way broccoli pairs with apples, blue cheese crumbles, roasted chicken, and arugula. Drizzle some olive oil and lemon juice on top for a delicious lunch.

Ways to Customize this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

• Consider this recipe a blueprint for roasting all kinds of veggies this way. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the vegetable. I have made this basic recipe with cauliflower, asparagus. zucchini, Brussels sprouts, and kale. It comes out amazing every time.
• Although I used Parmesan cheese since I always have it on hand, you could try out all different cheeses. An aged Gouda would add even more nuttiness to the recipe. Crumbled goat cheese or feta would be super yummy. A mild mozzarella or cheddar may be best for kiddos.
• Although your first instinct is to serve this as a side dish, it is also great for meal prep. I love throwing roasted broccoli in salads, wraps, and quesadillas. I also pair it with eggs all the time to get some greens in at the start of the day.
• Consider adding some heat with red pepper flakes. Just toss the broccoli with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes before roasting. You could add other spices here as well.
• To pack in even more lemon flavor, toss the broccoli with lemon zest before baking.

Main Dishes to Serve with this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

• Shortcut Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Chicken Saltimbocca
• French Onion Chicken Breast
• Balsamic Flank Steak with Roasted Tomatoes
• Italian Salmon with Tomato Basil Salsa
• Brown Sugar Salmon