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!
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Two large broccoli heads (this will serve 4 as a side, or 2 if I’m present)
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Break into florets and halve larger ones
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Pile onto tray, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with finely sliced garlic, salt and pepper then toss
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Spread out on tray
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Roast for 20 – 25 minutes just until the edges are a bit browned and crisp (my favourite part!)
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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
More fabulous Broccoli recipes
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!!
Best broccoli recipe ever!
Watch how to make it
Magic Broccoli recipe video!
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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 220C/425F (standard) or 180C/350F (fan/convection).
- Cut/break broccoli into florets and pile onto baking tray. (Note 2 re: stem)
- 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.
- 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!
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:
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“Catch me mum 🐶” (To which I responded: “I’d be flattened – then in hospital!”😂)
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“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…)
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“If Jaws was a dog….”
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“Houston, we have lift off!🚀🚀”
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“Me – when someone hands me a plate of Asian food” (To which I responded: Me too!!)
And you? Any suggestions??
Soooo I just made this as a side for our lunch (didn’t even have the parmesan and was still fantastic) and my boyfriend saw what I was cooking in our oven and said, “What is this? Broccoli?!? My nightmare!”
Yeah, that same guy, just ate the whole damn bowl. Needless to say, it rocked. And I’m so excited I can incorporate another veggie I love into our menu. 🙂
Thanks for this great recipe!
OMG I love it!! I love hearing that broccoli haters are converted by this recipe! Ina Garten – she’s a legend. 🙂 N x
Loved it! So easy. Only change I made was to infuse my olive oil with garlic first. We like the subtle flavor. It was a huge hit, no leftovers. That alone says something. Thanks for sharing.
OOOOH, you made yours FANCY with infused oil!!
OMG! The broccoli was amazing! I tried this out tonight and everyone loved it! Thank you so much! I’m one of those people who searching the internet looking for new recipes for the family. I love broccoli and this recipe just took it to a whole new level!
Oh YAY!! So glad you loved it Lela!
My daughter and I just made this today! Funny thing though, I was making a sauce for the fish at the same time and got my recipes confused and ended up adding soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce to the broccoli recipe. Oh. My. God. It was so good that the fish almost got ignored! So, here’s to being scatterbrained! Lol! Will try it next time as per your recipe.
Ba ha ha!! That happens to me ALL the time! Especially because I usually have 3 recipes on the go at the same time when I’m creating things!! 🙂
I made this tonight and OMG…it was so delicious! My family wouldn’t shut up about it and they fought over the last few straggler pieces that were left. This recipe is DEFINITELY a keeper! 🙂
SO GLAD you loved it! Ina Garten is a legend!!! 🙂
Literally the best broccoli recipe ever invented in the history of man. I feel like such an accomplished cook.
I know, right? I had just this for dinner the other night. SO. GOOD!! 🙂 Thanks for coming back to let me know you loved it!!
The Magic Broccoli you were telling me about! I’ve got some broccolini in the fridge that I’m going to turn into Magic Broccolini for a dinner party tomorrow night. 🙂
Yes!! It is Magic…..Barefoot Contessa is a goddess!
OMG this stuff was AWESOME! I forgot the lemon though, BUT i sprayed some lime juice on it, just as good. I know it needed the zest but i will definitely remember the lemon next time. I was eating this like candy!!!! I also added some sharp cheddar cheese on it too.. sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooood! THANK YOU!
I know I know!! I eat it like candy too! Who would have thought BROCCOLI could be so addictive??!! 🙂
I am sooooo glad you used ‘profanity’ in this post! I made this broccoli last night and have been dreaming/thinking/needing it ever since!!! Only problem??? I deleted all of my history. I searched for this forever…until, I googled ‘roasted broccoli profanity’ and I came back (thank god) to this amaIng post!!!!!!
I could eat this like popcorn!! Thanks!
Ha ha ha!! That just cracks me up no end that you found this using the word “profanity”!!! OMG, I am literally laughing out loud!! 🙂
you should try roasted cabbage…omg. we scatter onion around the cabbage wedges and lay bacon over each wedge. i make a pig of myself every time. the leaves that turn black taste like roasted marshmallows.
HELENE! That is a BRILLIANT idea! I am definitely trying it! Keep an eye out for it coming soon….I have to credit you! This is a brilliant idea!
I have been making this for years….I agree the best broccoli ever. But, try it with some pine nuts, so delish.
Agree- really is super delicious! Just don’t always have pine nuts on stock cause they’re really expensive in Australia!!
Just the right moment I see now your post, I just thinking what I’m going to do with my broccoli florets. I’ll try your “secret” by roasting the broccoli, drizzle it with lemon and spread with grated parmesan cheese. You’re right about French fries get stuck on our thighs 🙂 haha
Hope you do try it Amallia! It really is sensational 🙂
Loving the name, Nagi. It’s MAGIC! And no, I don’t mind the swearing at all. I’ll have to try roasted broccoli one day, never had it before! And yes, yes pine nuts are crazy expensive.
I know, right?!! Reserved for special occasions or when I find them on sale!
So easy, they look crisp and delicious! Thank you for another simple and quick recipe 🙂
And thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Nothing better than roasted broccoli, and I love how this is flavored!!
Simple is always best, right? 🙂 Plus even the KIDS love this one!
First of all I have to say that you’re amazing for being so active on publishing new posts regularly! I enjoy coming to your blog and finding more than one new delicious, mouth watering recipe. Second, I love broccoli and looking at the ingredients I can tell that it this is a very tasty recipe.
Great clicks Nagi 🙂
Thanks Muna! I appreciate your kind words. And you know how much I enjoy discovering new recipes on YOUR blog! You are a great source of inspiration to me.