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!
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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 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!
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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??
Really yum. I added some cauliflower and a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning
Really yum. I added some cauliflower and also a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
I love this recipe, both as a side dish and as an entree. Absolutely delicious
This was the most absolutely delicious broccoli! Thank you for posting!
Truly magic broccoli! I only had 1 1/2 medium sized heads, which shrank as warned, so my only complaint is that there wasn’t enough of it – might’ve had something to do with me snatching pieces of it while the rest of dinner was cooking. Lol. I will NEVER steam or *gasp* boil broccoli again!
So good for a simple dish. I support the use of the stems I trim of the green bits and cut them into strips for stir fry or raw they have a mild radish flavour. 🙂
This recipe SLAPS!! I mean, every Nagi recipe does, but this one is so good. I served mine over rice and topped with kewpie mayo. 10/10, will eat every day probably
Wow, Nagi, this is the best broccoli recipe ever. So easy to prepare. The lemon, garlic and Parmesan take the broccoli to the next level. Will be my go to recipe now for broccoli. Thank you!
Nagi, this is truly a magic recipe… my 4 year old finally loves broccoli thanks to this! Hands down the best way I’ve ever had broccoli, couldn’t improve upon this… have made it multiple times since stumbling upon it on your website 🙂
I agree, Nagi! Definitely the BEST way to make broccoli. I slice my garlic instead, and up the quantity to 6 or 8 cloves. The result is sweet, crispy-edged caramelized pieces of garlic that really take this over the top.
Delicious, thank you Nagi
A family favourite. My preteen boys love this way to cook broccoli.
Sooooo delicious! Thank you.
Yum!! So easy and delicious. The perfect side to any main. This is a keeper.
I love the simplicity of this dish. It is a winner every time I make it
Gandhi Nagar Main Rd, near Snapdeal, New Gandhi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Nehru Nagar III, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201001
This is the best broccoli ever! My family asks for it all the time which always surprises me. Thanks so much!
Delicious! It even tasted good raw before it went in the oven.
This is my go to for side vegetables. I’ve actually become a bit of a broccoli fiend since finding this recipe. The Crispy garlic bits are the best. It’s super easy, delicious and healthy!
&had this broccoli last night with whiting fillets and your brown butter sauce. Simply stunning and so easy. No more boiled broccoli ever!