Roasted Broccoli with Cheese and Lemon

5 from 1 vote

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This baked broccoli and cheese recipe gives new life to an often dull but healthy vegetable. In fact, if you thought you didn’t like broccoli this just may be the way of making it to change your mind!

A plate of roasted broccoli

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What is it?

This baked broccoli is a healthy side dish that is a crowd-pleaser. Roasting the broccoli brings out a sweetness you probably didn’t know was there.

A piece of broccoli on a fork.

To make the broccoli taste even better, we’ll add a pinch of salty cheese and some fresh lemon. This adds a burst of freshness and flavor that people find appealing. In every tender but crunchy bite.

What’s in this?

If you are looking for a simple side dish, you need to try this easy roasted broccoli recipe. Featuring only a handful of common ingredients, you can make this in about a half hour.

How to make this

You’re going to need some broccoli florets for this. If all you have is a whole head of broccoli, see this helpful link for how to cut broccoli into florets.

Seasoning a bunch of broccoli on a baking pan.
  1. Using a parchment paper-line baking pan, toss the broccoli florets with some olive oil.
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Roast for 15 minutes and then turn the florets. Roast for another 10 minutes.
  4. Add lemon zest and juice to the broccoli and top with grated cheese.

Tips for roasting broccoli

These are a few things I’ve learned to help you make better roasted broccoli every time!

Close up of broccoli florets on a pan.
  1. Place the larger florets closer to the edge of the baking pan and cut them into bite-size pieces. This will make the broccoli caramelize better and roast more evenly.
  2. Don’t over-crowed the pan! We like these baking pans because they roast evenly and have a nice rim to keep our oven neat and tidy. (That is an affiliate link that we are compensated a tiny amount for if you purchase.)
  3. Use a higher oven temperature to roast broccoli. This “shocks” the florets quickly and give you a soft crunch on the outside with a tender bite on the inside.

FAQ

What Kind of Cheese do I Need for This?

We use Pecorino cheese but Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago cheese all work well with this broccoli side dish.

What Other Flavor Combinations Go Well with Roasted Broccoli?

Instead of olive oil, toss the floret in some aged balsamic vinegar. After roasting, season with some crushed red pepper, oregano, and Parmesan cheese.

Can Your Roast Frozen Broccoli?

Frozen broccoli florets are a convenient choice for this recipe. The secret is to roast at at a higher oven temperature of 450° and to preheat the baking pan first. This will cause the florets to begin roasting the second they hit the pan and ice or moisture will evaporate instantly.

Can I Use the Leftovers?

Store any leftover roasted broccoli in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, use a tablespoon or so of olive oil and heat it up in a small saute pan.

Toss the leftover broccoli in the warm pan and serve. You may want to sprinkle a little grated cheese on top of it before reserving.

A plate or roasted broccoli and cheese

Other Healthy Side Dishes

Please try this roasted broccoli and let us know what you think about it. If you make your own variation, even better. Please share that with us as well!

Man with an apron in a kitchen
Dan

Roasted Broccoli and Cheese

5 from 1 vote
This healthy side dish of roasted broccoli can be flavored to match your meal!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 people

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb Broccoli florets , Halved if large
  • 1/4 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp Black pepper, Fresh ground if possible
  • 1 Lemon
  • 1 oz Pecorino cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 425° F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Season the florets with salt and pepper.
  • Roast for 15 minutes, then turn each floret over and roast for about 10 more minutes.
  • Zest the the whole lemon over the broccoli and then squeeze the juice from half of the lemon over the broccoli (more if you like.) Sprinkle with the grated cheese and serve!

Notes

If you don’t have Pecorino cheese, substitute with another hard, salty variety.
  • Parmesan
  • Romano
  • Asiago
More Tips for Roasting Broccoli
  • Do not over-crowed the baking sheet.
  • Place the larger piece of broccoli toward the edge of the baking pan.
  • Cut bigger florets in half.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 352mg, Potassium: 198mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 368IU, Vitamin C: 58mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!

Meet the Platter Talk Guys

Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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