This is still the best damn broccoli ever. Roasted broccoli with crispy golden edges, finished with a drizzle of lemon juice, zest and a sprinkle of parmesan. It’s so good, yet so easy, it’s like magic….
This Roasted Broccoli is the best broccoli recipe ever
4 1/2 years ago when I first shared this broccoli recipe, I stated that this was the best damn broccoli I had ever had in my life. And that still holds true.
Sure, I’ve had fancier. Great chefs can work magic on the humble broccoli and turn it into a real fancy dish.
But the thing that makes this particular recipe the best broccoli recipe ever is that it’s so quick and easy and yet so good!
Roasting is the key here. Roasted broccoli has flavour that is puts plain steamed broccoli to shame!! It sweetens it, you get caramelisation, crunchy edges and it sucks up the flavour of the lemon juice.
And when you finish it off with a little parmesan…. OMG. It’s just so damn good!!!
How to make the tastiest broccoli of your life
Ready to see how easy this is? Not much more effort than steaming it!
Two large broccoli heads (this will serve 4 as a side, or 2 if I’m present)
Break into florets and halve larger ones
Pile onto tray, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with finely sliced garlic, salt and pepper then toss
Spread out on tray
Roast for 20 – 25 minutes just until the edges are a bit browned and crisp (my favourite part!)
Drizzle with lemon juice and zest and parmesan, toss then serve
I don’t take credit for this Magic Broccoli. It is based on an Ina Garten recipe – though hers has more oil, pine nuts and basil. Terrific, but quite rich and a bit more fiddly than I’d make for day to day purposes (I make Magic Broccoli a lot!)
So this recipe is a simplified and healthier version. I find that if you use too much oil when roasting broccoli, the florets soak it up like a sponge. So what should be a pretty healthy broccoli side becomes excessively rich and oily.
Trust me, you do not need tons of oil to roast broccoli. Especially not when we finish it off with lemon and parmesan!
So easy.
SO DAMN DELICIOUS.
It’s like….magic! ~ Nagi x
Health benefits of broccoli
Broccoli is a powerhouse of goodness! It’s rich with Vitamin C and K, high in fibre (good for your digestive system), and other minerals and antioxidants that promotes good health. There’s also been studies that suggest that broccoli helps with cancer prevention – though it’s not conclusive.
In summary: Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse and Magic Broccoli makes it easy to eat LOADS of it!!
Watch how to make it
Magic Broccoli recipe video!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Magic Broccoli (Best roasted broccoli recipe ever!)
Ingredients
- 2 medium to large heads of broccoli , about 1 kg / 2 lb
- 2 garlic cloves , finely sliced or minced
- 2 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to your taste)
- Black pepper
- Zest of half a lemon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese , plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F (200°C fan).
- Cut/break broccoli into florets and pile onto baking tray. (Note 2 re: stem)
- Toss – Drizzle all over with extra virgin olive oil, scatter with garlic, salt and pepper. Toss with fingers or tongs, then spread out over tray in a single layer (or toss in large bowl or ziplock bag).
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until the tips of the florets are slightly browned and crispy. The broccoli should be "tender crisp", meaning just cooked through, not soft and floppy.
- Finish – Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle over the lemon juice, zest, and parmesan. Toss quickly, transfer to serving plate and garnish with a bit more parmesan. Serve warm!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Magic Broccoli originally shared in 2014. Updated with new photos, new video, all new words in post. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare!
More fabulous Broccoli recipes
Browse all Broccoli Recipes
Life of Dozer
I know I’ve already shared this photo on my blog, but I only put it up on Instagram this morning. I asked people to caption the photo – and some of the responses were so good, I had to share!!
Caption This responses:
“Catch me mum 🐶” (To which I responded: “I’d be flattened – then in hospital!”😂)
“Dozer for President” (At which I grinned just thinking what a great world it would be with giant “Dozer for President” banners all over the world…)
“If Jaws was a dog….”
“Houston, we have lift off!🚀🚀”
“Me – when someone hands me a plate of Asian food” (To which I responded: Me too!!)
And you? Any suggestions??
Susan says
Dozer caption: Flying squirrel!
Nagi says
GIANT squirrel!!😂
Gillian DidierSerre says
As always I love seeing Dozer “water boy”👍
Hi Nagi .your roasted broccoli recipe is delish..and also the idea of nutritional info is excellent..so again a big thanks for such great recipes.
Nagi says
Glad you find it useful Gillian, thanks for the feedback! I’ll continue to include it! 🙂 N x
Kin says
Dear Broccoli,
How many ways do I love thee? Raw, steamed, casseroled, roasted, souped…oh, yeah! This will be our side dish on Saturday when we make our favorite sauteed shrimp and Jasmine rice dinner. YUM! Love your creative recipes, Nagi! Also love your beautiful Dozer! That’s a great pic! One word…EXUBERANCE!! “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superdog!” He needs a cape, Nagi! LOL xxx
Nagi says
“He needs a cape” – Kin, you shouldn’t give me Dozer dressing up ideas like that!!! You know I can’t resist….
Wynn says
I’ll confess to being fussy about lemon on things, which is odd because I love lemon in tea, lemon and garlic with chicken, and lemon pie and cake, etc.–but don’t care for it with seafood or some other things. Go figure!
I haven’t had it with broccoli, and won’t lie that the idea has great appeal for me, but will give it a try! (I do like a Greek type potato dish roasted with chicken broth, butter, garlic, lemon and oregano.)
Nagi says
Oooh – I love the idea of a big lemony Greek chicken-potato bake!!
Wynn says
Dozer looked like he’d nailed an impression of sleek, breaching dolphin.
Nagi says
Sleek?? You mean – furry / sandy / wild eyed!!!
Isabela says
Hi Nagi, I have been making this recipe using frozen broccoli. It works!!! And I don’t need to comment on flavor. Sometimes I do skip the cheese too. After that recipe my kids ask for broccoli. I also roast some sliced carrots on the side. Yummy!!!
Nagi says
OK, that might be the greatest validation ever – that your KIDS ask for this broccoli??? 😳
Rob says
Could you have a listing on your web site with your lower carb recipes, like this one?
Nagi says
Hi Rob! What a great idea, I’ll do that! N x
Jenn says
OMG!! MOM!!! Something touched my foot…something touched my foooottt!
Nagi says
And the thing is, it’s SO viable. He is such a wuss. Once, I think he stepped on a sting ray. He yelped and ran over to me, quivering like a girl and wouldn’t leave my side all the way back to the car. literally, pressed up against my legs as we walked back, shaking!!
Barbara Sheridan says
Nagi, Havingthe health benefits box above the recipeis a good idea. Had an issue with edema last summer, caused by too much sodium in my system. Was hospitalized now on the right track, watch my salt intake closely. The health benefit box is an excellent idea.
Nagi says
I’m sorry to hear that Barbara. Glad to hear you’re ok now! I’m glad you find the health benefits box useful! N x
Vivian says
Vroommm! (comment for Dozer). Or “Damn, I want that sausage!”
Yes to broccoli…we all need more!
Nagi says
Ba ha ha! I love it!!! N x
Marianne says
Other additions to this recipe are pine nuts and basil. YUM!
Mariane says
Hi Nagi! I have tried a similar recipe to this and it is definitely our go to recipe, but of course I will try yours! One addition that some people might like is chopped Basil. That it yummy too, with all the lemony flavor and parmesan. YUM!
Nagi says
YES. It’s so SO good! The original Ina Garten recipe on which this is based uses basil 🙂 N x
Susan says
I love roasted broccoli, but never thought of doing it like this. I would omit the lemon zest and probably use garlic powder instead of raw, just to suit our tastes. We usually don’t fancy-up our veggies, but this one is simple and should be very tasty. I like including a little nutrition information like you did this time.
Nagi says
YUM! Powder is great too, I’ve used it. I tend to keep my veggies pretty simple too. Don’t want oily / flavour loaded sides! N x
Mary Ann Rollano says
I like the health benefits section. Nice addition. I do that on all my recipe posts and my readers have given me positive feedback. I’m also a nurse so I’m drawn to that sort of thing.
Besides that, it takes the focus off of calories alone. Too many people just count calories but calories don’t tell the whole story.
It’s really all about the nutritional benefits of those calories. I would rather eat a higher caloric food jammed packed with nutrition over a lower calorie food with little nutritional value.
Nagi says
I just lost time browsing your site Mary Ann! What a beautiful and INFORMATIVE blog you’ve created. And the props! I’m so jealous of your tea related collections! PS The Moroccan Mint tea – that’s perfect for a Moroccan feast I’ve got coming up, thanks! N xx
Mary Ann says
Thank you Nagi! That means a lot coming from you. And yes, my tea paraphernalia is out of control.
Nydia solís says
Really grateful for the health benefits box😉😉Really helps, I admire your effort to improve! God bless,a kiss to Dozer
Nagi says
Kiss happily received! Any excuse to pass one on 😂
Diane says
Hi Nagi, I’m not a huge fan of vegetables and I’m always looking for ways to prepare them to make them tastier. Thank you for doing this! I can’t wait to try the Broccoli! Keep up the great work! Love your recipes and make them often!
Nagi says
I absolutely promise you will love this!! Tastes nothing like bland steamed broccoli, I swear! 🙂 N x
Charlie says
Morning Nagi!
This is a great recipe. I go one further though. I hate wasting, so I peel the stems, cut them up and roasted those as well.
A lot of people don’t realize the tenderness of the stems once peeled. I don’t know what is my favourite the stems or the tops.
Nagi says
Ah yes, I should tell people to peel the stalk! That’s what I do too 🙂 Thanks Charlie! N x
Wynn says
Ditto! We don’t core cauliflower or cabbage, either–except for when shredding cabbage for coleslaw–we only trim the dry part on the cut end, and cook the whole thing, because we like it. And we often peel the woody bits on asparagus stems, since those parts are tender also when peeled.
Debi says
Love the health benefit box, what a great idea! AND, I love ALL your recipes!!
Nagi says
Thanks Debi! Glad you think it’s a good idea! N x
Dee says
Hi Nagi,
Looks awesome! Any recipes which help to eat more veggies is top notch in my book 😊
I like the health benefits, great idea 👍
Many thanks,
Dee
Nagi says
YES. I hear you Dee! N x
Donna says
Nagi, this is a terrific recipe. I love the health benefits box. I think more people are concerned about nutrition and having this information is appreciated.
Nagi says
Thanks Donna! Such great feedback on it, I’m going to work on adding it to more recipes going forward – even going backwards! 🙂 N x
Dolores Pap says
For me, not beats “Dozer for President” 🙂
That would be ‘prayers answered’ ..
Nagi says
Ba ha ha! Can you imagine :0 What a world it would be! N x