Broccoli doesn’t need to be bitter and disgusting! Make it delicious with this easy roasted broccoli recipe. Healthy and satisfying, it makes a great weeknight side dish in about 30 minutes!
Any information in the post is for general information purposes only and is NOT medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for individual medical and nutrition advice.
Unfortunately, broccoli gets a bad name. It has a reputation of being bitter and smelly and most people won’t touch it unless it is absolutely smothered in a cheese or ranch sauce. Admittedly, I was one of those people. I have learned, however, that broccoli can be delicious when seasoned and cooked properly, and this easy roasted broccoli recipe will be a healthy and favorite side dish in your home as it is in mine!
I never really thought I would like broccoli. For most of my life, it was either served raw with ranch dip or cooked until it was so mushy it could be easily crushed with a fork. Yuck! However, I forced myself to eat it both for the health benefits and to set a good example for my kids so that they, too, would learn to eat their vegetables. It wasn’t until recently that I finally came up with a delicious way to cook it, and this easy roasted broccoli recipe finally allows me to actually enjoy (rather than simply tolerate) this simple and healthy side dish.
Why should this easy roasted broccoli recipe be added to your side dish rotation? Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable. Along with other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, this group of healthy veggies are rich in phytochemicals. Broccoli also contains plenty of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and Vitamin K. Lastly, broccoli is high in fiber, with about 3 grams of fiber per serving.
In addition to the health benefits, broccoli makes a great side dish that adds color to the plate. The vegetable adds a nice green color to your dinner to compliment the beiges and browns in most main dishes. It also adds a crunchy component, which is a nice addition to a meal that may not otherwise have a variety of textures.
You may be wondering, where’s the salt? As a dietitian, I rarely use salt in my cooking, and this easy roasted broccoli recipe is no exception. There is so much flavor from the garlic, pepper and, of course, the broccoli that I simply do not see the need for additional salt to be added. While you can certainly add salt to your own dish at home, I would very much encourage you to try this recipe without first. You may be surprised how good it tastes!
While I generally make this easy roasted broccoli as is, I also like to take it up a notch at times. How do I do that? By adding a few extra ingredients. One way to make this a little different (and perhaps more appealing to kids) is by adding some shredded or grated cheese after baking. Try adding some shredded cheddar or grated parmesan on top after removing the pan from the oven. Another way to add a little different flavor? Drizzle some fresh lemon juice on top, or perhaps some lemon zest, for a tangy flavor. Finally, adding sauce sauce prior to roasting can give the broccoli a very rich, savory flavor. I highly recommend trying it!
What goes well with this easy roasted broccoli recipe? My family likes to serve it alongside many seafood and pasta dishes, like garlic butter salmon or a simple spaghetti or lasagna. I also find it makes a great addition to a plate of mac ‘n cheese for a simple but healthy meal that is visually appealing. Really, though, this is one of the main vegetables I make as a side dish to almost any main dish, whether it be some type of pasta, seafood, or just meat and potatoes. There isn’t much this broccoli doesn’t go with!
Easy Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes Bake Time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Raw Broccoli Crowns (about 0.75 pounds)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Black Pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Directions
- Wash the broccoli crowns well, then tear or cut apart into individual florets. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the broccoli
- Sprinkle the garlic and pepper over top, then toss to coat
- Roast in a pre-heated oven at 400oF for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn brown
Time Saving Tip: Buy pre-washed and pre-cut raw broccoli florets for faster prep
*Nutrition Information (per serving, about 3 servings per recipe)
- 85 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 0.7 g Saturated Fat
- 3 g Protein
- 41 mg Sodium
- 7 g Total Carbohydrate
- 2.7 g Fiber
*Nutrition information is approximate and based on the products that I buy in my home. Information will vary based on the products purchased in your home.