Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan

You won’t find a more addicting broccoli recipe than this Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan! Get ready to fall in love with broccoli! 

Do you have a food happy place? I have a few, but one of them is definitely with a big bowl of roasted vegetables in front of me.

Is that weird?

I can’t help it. When vegetables taste this good, it makes me happy.

I’ve talked about the magic of roasting vegetables many times on Happy Healthy Mama, and I won’t stop.

It’s the easiest way to get vegetables haters gobbling up their veggies. This Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan is no exception. It’s ah-dict-ing. I’m telling you–broccoli can be addicting.

It couldn’t be easier to make this side dish and it goes with so many different dinners. It can go with pretty much anything. The parmesan cheese takes this roasted broccoli over the top.

When you see those crispy parmesan bits on the baking sheet? SCRAPE those up and serve them with the broccoli. You get little cheese crisp pieces with your broccoli and it’s basically heaven. Yep. Broccoli heaven.

You’ll turn all the broccoli haters into lovers with this deliciously simple roasted broccoli recipe. All it takes is a handful of ingredients and minimal effort.

Let’s check out what we need for this simple side dish.

Ingredients for Oven-Roasted Broccoli Recipe

As I said, this easy roasted broccoli recipe uses simple ingredients. So, you don’t need a special occasion to make this yummy and easy side dish. I make it for weeknight dinners ALL THE TIME.

Broccoli

We will use 1 pound of broccoli florets, about 6-8 cups. Although I prefer fresh broccoli, frozen will work as well. Frozen broccoli doesn’t get quite as crisp as fresh broccoli, but if frozen is all you’ve got–go for it!

Broccoli has a ton of health benefits. It is good for your skin, reduces the risk of diabetes and cancer, and promotes a healthy gut.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point; it won’t burn during the process. It is also heart-healthy and loaded with vitamin E. You need two tablespoons of it.

Salt

Seasonings are the make-or-break of any dish. Of them all, salt is the most powerful. Add too little, and you’ll have a bowl of bland, flavorless veggies. Add too much, and it could ruin the dish. I recommend half a teaspoon of coarse kosher salt for this recipe. You can always add more salt after baking your broccoli.

Black Pepper

Use freshly ground black pepper for a more flavorsome experience. Prepacked black pepper often tastes dusty, and it’s less fragrant.

Cheese

We will use 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a crispy finish. Parmesan cheese has easy-to-digest proteins, so it works for kids and adults. Plus, the tangy and nutty flavor profile compliments the broccoli. You can use cheddar cheese if you want but expect a milder flavor.

Additional (Optional) Ingredients

Did I tell you this recipe is incredibly customizable? Yep, you can adjust it to your personal preferences. Here are some additional basic ingredients that you can use:

• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic powder
• Sesame seeds

Cooking Steps for the Easy Broccoli Recipe

1. Turn on high heat in your oven and bring it to 425 degrees F.
2. Half the larger pieces of broccoli for even cooking. The smaller florets can remain whole.
3. Spread the broccoli pieces in an even layer on a rimmed large baking sheet and drizzle the oil and seasonings on top.
4. Roast your greens in the hot oven for 15 minutes or until they are slightly golden brown. Keep a watchful eye.
5. Take your sheet out of the oven and sprinkle cheese on top.
6. Roast some more to get crispy edges.
7. Scrape the crispy cheese from the baking sheet and serve with the roasted broccoli.

Easy Roasted Broccoli Recipe Best Tips

• Always dry your broccoli before baking it. If the head of broccoli is too wet, it won’t brown so well.
• Use similar-sized pieces of broccoli. They’ll cook evenly.
• Don’t overcrowd your sheet pan. Spread your broccoli in a single layer with some distance between each floret; otherwise, they won’t get as crisp as we want them to.
• Don’t chuck out your broccoli stems. You can roast them, too, and then use them in soups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Store Leftover Roasted Broccoli?

Stash your delicious leftovers in a shallow, airtight container before popping them in the fridge.  If you do it right, it’ll easily stay edible for 3-5 days. For reheating, I recommend the air fryer to help them crisp up again.

What Other Vegetables Can I Roast with Broccoli?

Sweet potatoes, lemon wedges, Brussels sprouts, and green beans will all roast perfectly. Just manage the roasting timing for each accordingly. My family enjoys roasted cauliflower and roasted asparagus, too.

Can I Make This Recipe in an Air Fryer?

Oh, of course! Using an air fryer is a great way to get crunchy roasted broccoli minus the oil.

If you try and serve this to a broccoli hater, will you please let me know how it goes? I wanna hear about it! Let’s convert the haters! Enjoy, friends.

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating below! It’s so helpful for other readers to see which recipes are tried and true! I’d also love to see it–share your photo of this dish and tag me on Instagram and I’ll feature you!

If you need more broccoli recipes, scroll below the recipe card to see some of my absolute favorites.

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More Favorite Broccoli Recipes

If you’re looking for more ways to use up your broccoli, I have plenty of ideas! Save the recipes below so you’ll always be ready to make something delicious.

Healthy Broccoli Salad

This one is pictured above and is definitely my favorite broccoli salad recipe, ever.

Broccoli Bites Recipe

Nobody can resist these broccoli cheese nuggets!

Roasted Broccoli Barbecue Pizza

Sounds weird, tastes amazing.

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake

A great one-pot, vegetarian dinner.

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

You’ll crave this one and want it in your regular rotation!

Easy Sautéed Broccoli

When I don’t have time to roast my broccoli, this is the recipe I use.

Chicken and Broccoli

This is a simple, delicious dinner that’s very quick to make.