Picture this: a big pile of hot, crispy, seasoned broccoli.
Maybe it is coated in a layer of melty cheese. Maybe it has those perfect little charred edges from a hot oven. Maybe it is tossed with crunchy nuts and dried fruit and a zippy dressing.
If you are stuck in a steamed veggie rut, let me help you out. Broccoli is actually a total rockstar when you treat it right. It is sturdy, it soaks up sauces like a dream, and it adds that perfect pop of fresh green color to your plate.
These recipes are going to take your dinner from boring to beautiful with hardly any effort at all.
1. Crunchy Baked Broccoli
People call this broccoli “crack” and honestly, I get it.
It is one of those sides you just want to eat with everything. You only need eight ingredients to make it happen, and most of those are seasonings you likely have in the pantry right now.
It is cheesy and garlicky and has this Panko breadcrumb topping that brings the crunch. Plus, it is ready in 30 minutes or less.
2. Broccoli Gratin
I have a weakness for potatoes au gratin because tender potatoes with onions and cream is just the best.
But sometimes the carbs are a bit much, so I swap in this broccoli version when I want something a little lighter.
This recipe skips the onions, but I like to slice some up thin and toss them in with the veggies.
3. Broccoli Tots
If you love the idea of fritters but need something even more kid friendly, these tots are the winner.
They use garlic and onion powder for flavor and get nice and crisp on the edges. If your little ones love tater tots, they are going to go crazy for these.
4. Quick Broccoli Pasta
The ingredient list looks long, but trust me, this is a breeze to make.
We are talking tender pasta in a tangy cream sauce with herbs and spices. It has so much cheese that it basically feels like mac and cheese, which is exactly what you need for the picky eaters in your life.
5. Broccoli Cheddar-Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Do you want to eat something that makes you weak in the knees?
You pile fluffy baked potatoes high with a delectable cheese smothered broccoli sauce. It is a hearty and healthy way to jazz up a side dish we already love.
6. Roasted Broccoli Salad With Couscous and Lemon
If you want a salad that is dense and filling, this roasted broccoli and couscous situation is for you.
It is hearty and chunky with a warm, earthy, nutty taste. You get a great crunch from chopped hazelnuts, but pine nuts would work great here too.
You will love this even if broccoli is not your favorite veggie.
7. Broccoli Stir-Fry
You do not need meat to make a delectable stir fry because sometimes veggies are even better.
For a vegetarian dish that everyone will love, just stick to broccoli, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. You use the same robust sauces so it is just as tasty, but it cooks up so much faster.
8. Orzo with Broccoli
Broccoli goes with pretty much everything, and this orzo dish is no exception.
It is delicious hot or cold, and the simple seasonings make it ideal for your Sunday dinner. Serve it next to pork loin, prime rib, or flaky fish.
9. Broccoli and Cheddar Potato Skins
Potato skins are such a fun appetizer.
Usually they are stuffed with cheese and bacon, but this version adds some green to the mix for a boost of goodness. Just make sure you chop the florets quite small so they are easy to eat.
10. Broccoli Risotto
This broccoli risotto is tangy, cheesy, and oh so creamy.
It takes about 45 minutes to make but it packs a boatload of flavor into every single bite. It is the perfect thing to prep while your chicken dinner cooks, especially if you are a fan of Italian food.
11. Scalloped Corn and Broccoli
One thing I know about kids is that they love corn.
If you want to encourage them to eat more veggies, mixing broccoli with corn is a total no brainer.
Whip up this creamy, comforting meal with just seven ingredients. It is cheesy and almost sweet thanks to the corn.
12. Broccoli Mash with Garlic and Parmesan
Forget the boring old mashed potatoes and try this dish for your next holiday dinner.
The green color makes it pop in pictures, and since it is low carb, it will fly off the table. It is tender, salty, garlicky, and cheesy.
13. Broccoli Casserole
My grandma makes the best broccoli casserole, but this recipe gets pretty close.
It uses fewer than ten ingredients and has just four steps, so even a beginner chef can handle it. It is hearty and cheesy with a delightfully crunchy cracker crumb topping.
14. Roasted Broccoli
If you need a vegan version, just leave out the Parmesan.
It is still crunchy and tasty without the cheese. If you miss that salty cheesy taste, sprinkle on some nutritional yeast. This recipe leaves out garlic, but I always add it.
15. Easy Low Carb Broccoli Fritters
Fritters are a terrific way to get adults and kids to eat their greens.
These have crunchy edges and tender fillings, just like roasted potatoes but way tastier. You add cheddar and Parmesan for flavor along with almond flour and garlic.
16. Loaded Roasted Broccoli
I know these won’t replace loaded fries, but they are a pretty decent alternative if you are trying to be healthy.
You make them on one sheet pan so cleanup is easy. Just roast the fresh florets with oil and seasonings until crisp, then finish them with cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and sour cream.
17. Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad
Here is another fabulous salad that is yummy served hot or cold.
It looks stunning with all those colors and is incredibly filling thanks to the protein rich chickpeas. It is chewy, crunchy, and umami packed, and you can have it ready in just 20 minutes.
18. Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
Are you a meat and potatoes person who has to force yourself to eat more greens?
This recipe will help. It has everything you love about well seasoned roasted potatoes, just with a few sneaky little trees on the tray.
Once the broccoli is mixed in and covered in seasonings, they are just as scrummy.
19. Quick Broccoli and Cheese
This recipe is for steamed broccoli, but it is not the plain old steamed broccoli you are used to.
It is ultra cheesy and the broccoli is completely smothered. The cheese makes all the difference here.
20. Broccoli and Cauliflower “Rice”
If you like rice but want fewer carbs, try this.
Cauliflower rice is hugely popular, but adding broccoli to the mix makes it even more colorful. This recipe has just two net carbs per serving, so it is a keto dream.
21. Garlic Grilled Broccoli
It is hard to beat grilled broccoli because it retains that snappy crunch.
The smoky, garlic infused flavor is impossible not to love, and at less than 100 calories per serving, it is tough to pass up. It works for all kinds of diets from vegan to keto.
22. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Bacon
Broccoli and cheese are good, but when you add bacon to the mix? It is irresistible.
The bacon provides an extra depth of salty flavor. This is an excellent option for keto since it is high fat and low carb with nine grams of protein.
23. Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Parmesan crusted Brussels sprouts are a favorite of mine, so I was surprised it took me so long to try Parmesan roasted broccoli.
This bright and tangy side barely tastes like broccoli. It is cheesy, garlicky, and lemon-y, and your family will gobble it up.
24. Broiled Broccoli With Spicy, Sesame Scallion Sizzle
Even hardcore broccoli lovers know that roasting and steaming can get old.
This broiled recipe is so easy to make and helps mix things up. The spicy, sesame scallion sizzle on top brings the heat and adds a pop of flavor.
You can use the scallion sizzle recipe on anything, like lean pork chops or whitefish.
