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??
You are absolutely correct as this is the best damn broccoli EVER!!! My husband and daughter kill this meal when I make it. I’m now doing 3 crowns at a time and often that’s not enough!!!! Thank you for this delicious yet healthy recipe!!!!
I LOVE HEARING THAT!!!
So simple yet sooooooo delicious!!! Thank you.
That’s so wonderful to hear!! Thanks for letting me know Catalina – N x ❤️
I have my husband on a low carb diet and this will be perfect with our baked cod and salad with homemade blue cheese dressing! I have never baked broccoli so it will be fun. Thanks for the recipe!
I hope he loves it Terri! 🙂 PS He is so lucky to have you, that meal sounds amazing!
I’m excited to try this Broccoli recipe but I have a question. I’ve tried roasting broccoli before but they always turn out mushy and not crisp. I was wondering if I shouldn’t try to bake them right after washing them? Could it be the moisture that’s causing them to “steam” in the oven instead of bake properly? Do I need to let them dry before oil and seasoning?
Hi Helen! Definitely don’t bake them if very wet especially water in the florets because yes that would cause them to steam! Cut into florets and shake well by the handful before proceeding with the recipe 🙂
This was absolutely delish. I threw in some cauliflower as well and loved the flavours.
Oooh! Glad you enjoyed this one Lisa! PS Isn’t it too hot to have the OVEN on???
Hahaha, the joys of evaporative cooling. I guess I forget sometimes that it’s hot outside in my little climate controlled bubble. That is until I step into my studio for a few hours with a newborn baby and have to still have the heaters on, even in 35 degree weather…..arghhhhh!!!!
Wow! This is good! I did add onion before roasting as onion and garlic are married in my books… no more steamed broc for me. Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Adrienne! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂 N x
Not a fan of the lemon taste with my broccoli, must try again without the lemon.
Hope you do Michelle! I adore the lemon flavour in this 🙂 N x
I want to make meatballs like I had when I was a kid in Rutland Vermont . Half our city was Italian I used to go to zag a lies Restaurant , which is long gone
I have made this quite often but without the lemon juice. I will try that next. However, I do put the broccoli in a plastic bag and toss with the olive oil. I also cut the stems and bake them with the florets. My husband thinks they are great and they do contain a lot of your vitamins.
I do the same….toss in a plastic bag and I also eat the stems along with the florets. Yum
This was fantastic! I had the oven at 420 for potatoes, but threw in the broccoli anyway and kept a close eye. It was done after about 8 minutes and perfect! My 8 yr old loves that it’s called “magic broccoli”. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Amy, thank you for letting me know!!
Looking forward to the recipe book … Recipes look easy and tasty
Hope you got it Carol! 🙂
Can you use frozen brocolli? Do I need to thaw it first?
Hi Katie! Frozen works just fine, it will take 10 minutes or so longer though. No need to defrost!
I HATE BROCCOLI! I mean it, I’ve never liked it, I gag it down because I know iIshould, but I REALLY don’t like it. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but this is DELICIOUS!!!! I LOVE IT! Don’t tell anyone but I ate the whole bowl! Is that wrong?
YEE HAAA!!! Broccoli hater CONVERTED!!! 🙂
haven’t tried yet, but looking forward to this healthy dish. thank you.
Hope you enjoy it Sam!
I love making broccoli this way. In fact my husband told me he never knew he like broccoli until I started roasting it like this. I often will throw the broccoli florets, garlic, and oil into a large Ziploc bag and toss really well. Then I stick it in the refrigerator perhaps only for an hour, or sometimes I’ll make it in the morning and leave it in the fridge all day. I find The garlic flavor really comes through this way and the oil is more evenly distributed over all of the florets.
That’s a great tip Lisa, it would DEFINATELY make the flavour even better doing it that way! 🙂
Hi Nagi,
I’ve never cooked a day in my life, but today I decided to get off Pinterest and actually try and make a recipe I had saved. Low and behold, magic broccoli! Thank you so much for making this as straightforward as possible. Virgin chef no more!
xo
Hannah
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear that Hannah, thank you so much for coming back to let me know! N x
LOVE this recipe. I’ve had this recipe in my queue for about 6 months now and FINALLY had the chance to make it the other night. It was absolutely wonderful. My husband (who is afraid of any green vegetable) asked for seconds. Definitely amazing – thank you so much!! – gina 🙂
YEE HA!! I literally just made this TODAY!!! So glad you enjoyed it Gina!!
Hey Nagi. Just here because Iris, my 8 yo, just requested this for dinner. You so win!
Your 8yo has GREAT TASTE! 🙂
I made this today 1-1-16. This is the best broccoli recipe I have ever made. I did just what you said, didn’t change a thing. I usually don’t comment but this is very good. !!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know. 🙂 And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
It was 40 degrees in Melbourne yesterday but I rode my bike to a supermarket to get some broccoli to make this. I was so sweating when I got back and started cooking, then even more sweating as I don’t have an air-con at my place… But, wow! It was worth the effort! So yummy!
Now I have joined your mail list and got the e-cookbooks, thank you Nagi san! I am also subscribing to your mum’s blog too 😉
BA HA HA!! You rode to the supermarket in 40C for this??? OK, I’m totally honoured and phew! So glad it was worth it!!! 🙂 (PS You’re subscribed to my mum’s blog????)