Magic Broccoli: The Best Roasted Broccoli Recipe Ever!

Even though broccoli works great when roasted on its own, adding other ingredients to the mix helps enhance its natural earthy flavor. Gather the following for this recipe:

• Broccoli: You want fresh, bright green broccoli. About 2 medium crowns, roughly 680 grams. It is best if you use fresh ones from the farmers' market, but frozen broccoli will work too.
• Olive Oil: Take some good-quality extra virgin olive to roast your broccoli. Trust us; you will be able to feel the difference.
• Lemon Juice: Acidity from lemon is essential to brighten the flavors of broccoli. It cuts down on the earthy flavor. Vinegar could also be used, but we think lemon goes better with broccoli.
• Parmesan: You see, it's all in the secret ingredient in our wonderfully roasted broccoli. It puts a nutty taste in the broccoli that goes really great with other ingredients like garlic and lemon juice. The baking brings about a slight crispiness to the parmesan, further enhancing the texture part of the dish.
• Garlic: Garlic is the only aromatic we recommend. Use fresh cloves minced for this recipe. Yes, adding garlic powder works too, but if you want an unforgettable broccoli experience, then fresh garlic is the way to go.

Among others, you will be needing salt, pepper, and chili flakes to go with your broccoli for seasoning.

You'll master this super-easy recipe in no time. The secret behind our finger-licking roasted broccoli is to bake at high heat. 

Let's walk through the step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare The Oven

First, get your oven preheated to 425°F (220°C). This high heat will be sufficient for those crispy edges and brown spots on the broccoli all while the stems remain tender. As that heats up, make uniform cuts of broccoli florets. This is the trick to cook broccoli evenly.

2. Season The Broccoli

Toss the broccoli in olive oil and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. When the oil is well coated, add salt and pepper. Sprinkle some parmesan for that extra char, if needed. Mix well and let it sit for a few minutes.

3. Arrange In The Baking Sheet

Place the seasoned broccoli on a baking sheet. Keep them apart from each other, so that each floret is equally cooked on all sides. Do not forget to prepare the baking tray in advance with just a drizzle of some oil or parchment paper.

4. Roast

Bake the florets in the oven for 15 minutes. Do a fork test for doneness. Insert the fork into the floret; if they are fork tender, then they're good to go. You will also notice some brown spots on the broccoli; yes, that means crispy and ready to go.

5. Garnish and Serve

Now, take the broccoli back into the bowl and top it with some chili flakes and Parmesan. Adding the Parmesan when the broccoli is still hot makes it develop a nutty flavor.

Roasting time is critical in baking broccoli; the difference distinguishes a crispy broccoli and a burnt one. Two factors are responsible for this difference; that is, the size of the broccoli florets and the temperature.

Following are some standard times for different medium-sized broccoli florets:

• At 350°F: 30 – 35 minutes
• At 375°F: 25 – 30 minutes
• At 400°F: 18 – 22 minutes
• At 425°F: 14 – 18 minutes

If they are a little larger than normal florets, leave them in for a minute or two longer. During the last 5 minutes of your cooking time, keep checking on the florets with a fork for consistency.

Here are some tried and true tips to help you get your roasted broccoli just right every time:

• Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces: Cut your broccoli florets into smaller pieces to give it more flat surfaces. When you roast, those surfaces will caramelize.
• Don't crowd the tray: Overfilling your tray means the florets are going to steam instead of roast, and you'll never get those crispy edges you desire. Make sure the broccoli has some breathing room.
• Don't throw away stems: Chop the stalks, and roast them along with the florets. You can save them to make a base for soups and stews. They are full of fiber, so save them.
• Season correctly: Don't be afraid of salt, pepper, and lemon juice. They give the flavor to your broccoli. No one likes bland broccoli.
• Bake on high heat: If you want the edges and some broccoli char, then it needs high heat. Cook them at that temperature that gives you slightly brown spots without burning the olive oil.

A simple roasted broccoli is a classic for a reason, however, there are certain add-ins that will make the dish go beyond. These variations can come in the form of garnish like almonds or might include a specific flavor that will change the dish entirely.

1. Thai Roasted Broccoli

The classic roasted broccoli when drizzled with some peanut sauce turns into a Thai delight. Serve this with some lime wedges and additional chili flakes for added heat.

2. Italian Roasted Broccoli

For the Italian flair, make a dressing out of balsamic vinegar, chili flakes and some Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the dressing on top of the broccoli and serve with as a side dish to complete your Italian dinner.

3. Almonds

This is an add-in that you can add either while serving or as you finish cooking the vegetable. The crunch and nutty flavor of the almond complements the earthy natural flavor of the broccoli.

Pair the freshly baked broccoli with your favorite dinner recipes. Roasted broccoli goes well with both meat and plant-based meals. Here are some suggestions for you to try:

• Homemade Mac and Cheese: Broccoli complements mac and cheese by providing a different texture. It also helps cut down on the richness of mac and cheese and round out the meal.
• Salmon: Grilled or baked salmon also pairs well with roasted broccoli. This one is especially appealing to those looking to keep their meals healthy.

• Shrimp Pasta: Serve roasted broccoli with shrimp pasta. A great way to enjoy seafood while also devouring on seasonal harvest. This one is a must-try.