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!
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??
Nagi, I love you! This looks delicious and your comment about broccoli versus french fries is cracking me up!
Am adding this to our menu. My wife likes broccoli almost prepared any way.
I have some lemon olive oil kicking around. Do you think this could be incorporated into the recipe?
Yes! Sounds divine Joanne!
Just made this for the whole family and empty plates all round!! Absolutely delicious and will definitely be using this recipe again and again. Thank you
So glad you enjoyed this Elaine! Thanks for letting me know – N x
Good day I am so grateful I found your blog, I really found
you by mistake, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I am here
now and would just like to say cheers for a incredible post
and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have saved
it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a
lot more, Please do keep up the awesome b.
Thank you for the compliment Tom! I’m so pleased you like the look of my recipes 🙂 N x
WOW!!! This broccoli is magic indeed!! I made it last night and it disappeared real fast. I’ll have to double the amount next time. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed this Anita!!! Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback! N x
I do this on the charcoal grill too. It was a favorite of my kids when they were pre-teens.
YUUUUMMM!!!
This recipe is the definition of delicious. I suggest combining the reserved olive oil with the lemon juice via a whisk to form a vinaigrette with the two ingredients for ease of finishing the dish. This change doesn’t negate any lemon flavor in the finished product, and takes a step off the end when everything is coming together. I love this recipe, thanks for opening my eyes to the possibilities of baked broccoli.
That’s great to hear Owen! So pleased you enjoyed this! N xx
This should be called ‘crack broccoli’ – it is so addictive! The first time I made it I used two heads of broccoli thinking my daughter was going to be home for dinner, and she wasn’t. I ate two broccoli heads in one sitting and was so sad when it was gone! I make this at least once a week now, sometimes even if I’m just having a lazy dinner of peanut butter on toast LOL
That’s great to hear Rachel! Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback! N x ❤️
We are vegetarians , is there a good substitute for parmesan to suit this recipe.
Thanks
Nutritional yeast works really well in this recipe to make a Some stores also sell vegan parmesan.
Thanks for the tip Vivian! My non-dairy friend will appreciate that! N x
Isha, I have made this lots of times and never once used the parmesan – I like parmesan but I don’t think it’s necessary in this recipe. It’s perfect without!
would it taste the same if we use frozen broccoli florets? cheers!
I’ve made roast broccoli with frozen broccoli for years. You just need to bump the temp up to 400 degrees and be a little more liberal with the oil. Gets super crispy and yummy. I find it takes 30-40ish minutes depending on the size of the florets. I just saw this recipe and will try it with the same method as Nagi has here, but higher temp. Lemon anything is wonderful and seems to transform the simplest dish.
Hi Christine! I find that it doesn’t get those crispy edges quite as well. Sorry to disappoint!
I just want to tell you: DELICIOUS! Thank you 😊!
Love hearing that Maureen! So pleased you enjoyed this 🙂 N x
I just tried this recipe and my boyfriend and I both loved it!! Great recipe!!
That’s wonderful to hear Brittany! Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed this! N xx
I made this and it’s freaking awesome! Thanks 🙂
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Jenn! Thanks for letting me know! N x
I tied it and it was amazing! Love the zesty flavor with the broccoli
That’s so great to hear Rafia! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Can I cook this, keep at room temp, warm in a micro and serve?
This is best served fresh 🙂 But yes you can reheat in the microwave!
what about using frozen brocolli?
I think it might be too wet for this, sorry to say! 🙂
Simply Amazing…Loved it.. Thanks
🙌🏻 I’m so glad you enjoyed this Vikas, thanks for letting me know! N x
What about minced garlic instead of garlic clove?
That will work fine too 🙂
Would like to make this and bring to a thanksgiving dinner. Can i reheat it without killing it
I really feel this one is best made fresh Rita, sorry to say!