Parmesan Broccoli

We dare you not to take another bite of this crispy, crunchy Parmesan broccoli! It’s an irresistibly healthy side dish or snack.

Want to dress up broccoli to take it to irresistible status? Try this Parmesan broccoli! It’s crispy, crunchy, and impossible not to take another bite. (We dare you.) Roasting broccoli brings a sweetness and lightly charred edges to this healthy green vegetable. Combine that with savory Parmesan cheese, and it’s got rock star status. The only problem with this recipe? It disappears really fast. The entire bowl was gone in a flash, in our house! Here’s how to make it.

Also try: Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower!

How to make Parmesan broccoli

The best Parmesan broccoli is roasted, in our opinion. This brings in the best flavor and crisps up the broccoli so it’s more like a potato chip than a vegetable. Of course you could make sauteed broccoli and top with Parmesan…but that’s just not the same. Here are the keys to making

• Cook at high heat: 450 degrees! Roasting at very high heat is what gets those charred edges and crispy Parmesan bits.
• Chop: Chop the florets into medium-sized florets (more on that below). Mix with olive oil, salt and Parmesan cheese. Important: take any Parmesan that falls onto the baking sheet and place it on top of the broccoli.
• Roast 22 to 25 minutes: Roast until crispy, flipping at the 15 minute mark.

Cut medium-sized florets with long stems

Of course, the exact look of the broccoli florets doesn’t matter for Parmesan broccoli. But it’s helpful for getting bites that are just the right size for a bite, and look beautiful on the plate. Instead of making tiny or stubby florets, medium-sized florets with long stems are the key! Here’s how to cut broccoli:

• Cut off the broccoli floret where its stem meets the larger stalk. This gives the floret a long, elegant stem instead of a stubby one.
• Separate any large florets. Cut the base of the stem of any large florets in half, then pull the floret apart with your fingers or slice it apart. Try to make the florets as similar in size as possible.

What type of Parmesan cheese to use?

Of course, this Parmesan broccoli will taste good with any sort of Parmesan! But here are a few notes on the type:

• Use shredded, not grated. Shredded Parmesan has nice long shapes, which melt into the perfect cracker-like texture when roasted (see the photos). You could use grated Parmesan, but it won’t have the same coverage.
• Use pre-packaged or grate your own. Either way works! If you have a big block of Parmesan, use the medium holes of a grater to add it. But honestly, you don’t need the best cheese in the world for this one: it tastes just as good with the packaged shredded Parmesan. (Just not the shaker can kind, of course!)

Serving Parmesan broccoli as a side dish

This Parmesan broccoli is a versatile healthy side dish, and works with so many different dishes! You can also serve it as a healthy snack (see below). If you’re serving as a side dish, here are some ideas for pairing it:

• Seafood: It’s great with Garlic Butter Shrimp, Baked Salmon, Grilled Cod, or Easy Pan Fried Cod.
• Pasta: It’s an easy side for a pasta made on the stovetop. Try it with Simple White Sauce Pasta, Pesto Pasta, White Wine Pasta Sauce, or Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta.
• Grain Bowl. Put it in a bowl with quinoa or farro, then add chickpeas or beans and and top with our Lemon Tahini Sauce.

Serve it a snack or appetizer: just add a dipping sauce!

Want to serve Parmesan broccoli as a snack or appetizer instead? Just add a dipping sauce and it’s transformed into a tasty healthy snack. Here are some ideas for sauces:

• Lemon Dill Sauce This would give the perfect bright herby flavor.
• Honey Mustard Sauce Dip them into honey mustard sauce for a fries-like experience! 
• Special Burger Sauce This burger sauce works for “fries” too: it’s all of your favorite condiments combined.

This Parmesan broccoli recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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More broccoli recipes

Broccoli is a favorite vegetable around here! Here are some top ways to try it:

• Broccoli Salad A new and improved take! Crunchy and savory sweet, it stars broccoli, raisins, and a flavor-popping dressing. Or for a unique spin, make Broccolini Salad.
• Broccoli Slaw Irresistible and easy to make using fresh broccoli or the packaged mix you can find in most grocery stores.
• Quick Cheesy Broccoli is the best fast and easy side dish! A fan favorite.
• Blanched Broccoli A simple, crowd pleasing way to cook this veggie.
• Pan Fried Broccoli Perfect for weeknights! Crisp tender and full of flavor.
• Roasted Broccoli and Carrots This pair has the perfect flavor and color contrast, and they come out tender and browned.
• Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup This broccoli potato soup is intensely creamy, satisfying, and 100% plant based! It’s an easy healthy soup that everyone loves.