If you are craving a side dish that balances crisped edges, cheesy richness, and vibrant green freshness, this Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Each broccoli floret gets the perfect roast with a tantalizing, crunchy cheesy topping that adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture. Whether you want a quick snack, an impressive side for dinner, or a healthy but indulgent treat, this recipe hits all the right notes with minimal fuss and maximum taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is chosen for its role in building layers of flavor and texture, from the sharpness of cheddar to the crunch of panko crumbs, all harmonizing with fresh broccoli.
- 1 head broccoli: Cut into florets with 1-inch stems attached for perfect roasting size and bite.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: Adds a rich, fruity base that helps crisp the broccoli.
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided): Enhances natural flavors and helps achieve perfect seasoning.
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Provides subtle heat and depth.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted): Contributes to the luscious texture of the cheesy topping.
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs: Delivers light, golden crunchiness that contrasts beautifully with tender broccoli.
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese: Brings a bold, tangy flavor that melts irresistibly.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, salty notes for depth and complexity.
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Sparks just the right amount of heat without overpowering.
How to Make Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Oven
Start by heating your oven to 450°F and placing a large, rimmed baking sheet on the middle rack to get it hot. This ensures that when the broccoli hits the pan, it instantly begins to crisp up, giving you that coveted texture in every bite.
Step 2: Blanch the Broccoli
As the oven heats, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse and cut the broccoli into uniform florets to ensure even cooking. Blanch the broccoli by boiling it for just 2 minutes—this step softens it slightly while preserving its brilliant green color and fresh flavor.
Step 3: Shock in Ice Water and Dry
Immediately transfer the boiled broccoli to an ice water bath to halt the cooking process and keep the florets vibrant. Once cooled for 2 minutes, drain and pat them dry thoroughly on paper towels. Drying is crucial to getting a crispy finish rather than steamed sogginess.
Step 4: Toss with Oil, Salt, and Pepper
Combine the dried broccoli with olive oil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper in a large bowl. Tossing ensures every floret is coated and seasoned perfectly, priming them for roasting.
Step 5: Roast the Broccoli
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the broccoli evenly over it. Switch your oven to broil mode and return the pan to the middle rack. Broil for 4 minutes to develop a beautiful roasted color and tender crispness.
Step 6: Prepare the Cheesy Topping
While the broccoli begins broiling, mix melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, shredded sharp Cheddar, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. This mixture is the ultimate cheesy crunchy layer that transforms the broccoli into something extraordinary.
Step 7: Add Topping and Finish Broiling
Take the broccoli out and sprinkle the breadcrumb and cheese mixture evenly over the top. Return the pan to the oven and broil another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and the topping is golden, bubbly, and crisp around the edges. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Step 8: Serve Immediately
Once out of the oven, serve your Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli right away to enjoy the perfect contrast of textures and flavors at their absolute best.
How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this dish even more, consider garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness, or a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten the cheesy richness. A dash of flaky sea salt can also enhance the crunch and overall flavor.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of mains. It’s delicious alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or sautéed fish. It also makes a fantastic addition to any vegetarian spread, especially when served with quinoa or a hearty grain salad.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the broccoli in a rustic cast iron skillet right at the table for a cozy vibe, or plate it on a crisp white platter to highlight the vibrant green and golden topping. For a fun twist, scoop into toasted baguette slices for a party-perfect appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The broccoli may lose some crispiness but will maintain its delicious cheesy flavor. Re-crisping helps bring back some crunch.
Freezing
Freezing is not ideal for this dish since broccoli’s texture can become mushy and the crisp cheese topping may become soggy. For best results, enjoy fresh or refrigerate and consume within a few days.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the broccoli on a baking sheet and warm it at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This method revives the crispy texture much better than microwaving, which can soften everything.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Fresh broccoli is best for this Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe because frozen broccoli often releases too much water and becomes mushy after roasting, which affects the texture and crispiness.
What cheese works best if I don’t have sharp Cheddar?
You can substitute sharp Cheddar with aged Gouda or Gruyère for a similarly rich and melty topping. Just make sure it melts well and has a good flavor punch.
Is it necessary to blanch the broccoli before roasting?
Blanching enhances the vivid green color and ensures the broccoli is tender without drying out during broiling. It’s a key step to achieve that perfect texture contrast in this recipe.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
Absolutely! Use vegan butter or olive oil instead of butter, and substitute the cheeses with plant-based alternatives or nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste without dairy.
How spicy is the crushed red pepper in this recipe?
The red pepper flakes add just a gentle warmth that complements the cheese and broccoli without overpowering them. You can adjust or omit it depending on your heat preference.
Final Thoughts
You simply have to try this Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe if you haven’t already. It brings an irresistible combination of textures and flavors to your table with such ease and minimal prep. Whether it’s a weekday side or a dish to impress guests, this broccoli will charm you with every bite and make you rethink how you enjoy your greens.
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Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli recipe features tender broccoli florets blanched to perfection, topped with a flavorful, crunchy blend of sharp Cheddar, Parmesan cheese, and buttery panko crumbs, then broiled to a golden crisp. It’s a delicious and easy vegetable side dish bursting with cheesy goodness and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, perfect for adding a gourmet touch to any meal.
Ingredients
Broccoli Preparation
- 1 head broccoli (cut into florets with 1-inch stems attached)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Topping Mixture
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 450°F and place a large, rimmed sheet pan on the middle rack to heat while preparing the broccoli.
- Prepare Broccoli: Rinse and cut broccoli into uniform florets about 1-inch in size. Bring a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon salt to a boil.
- Create Ice Bath: Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water and set nearby for blanching.
- Blanch Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to boiling water, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 2 minutes to soften slightly while retaining crispness and bright color.
- Shock Broccoli: Using a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli immediately to the ice water bath to stop cooking, chilling for 2 minutes.
- Dry Broccoli: Remove broccoli from ice water, place on paper towel-lined plate, and pat dry thoroughly with additional paper towels to ensure crisp roasting.
- Toss with Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine broccoli with olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated.
- Roast Broccoli: Remove the hot sheet pan from oven and spread broccoli mixture evenly. Switch oven setting to broil and return pan to middle rack; broil for 4 minutes until starting to char.
- Prepare Topping Mixture: While broccoli broils, mix melted butter, panko crumbs, shredded Cheddar, Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove broccoli from oven and evenly sprinkle breadcrumb-cheese mixture over the top.
- Broil with Topping: Return baking sheet to oven and broil for an additional 3–5 minutes, watching carefully for cheese to melt and edges to crisp without burning. If browning too quickly, remove pan and turn off broiler for 1 minute before finishing with residual heat.
- Serve: Remove from oven when broccoli is fork-tender and topping is golden crispy. Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect cheesy roasted broccoli side dish.
Notes
- Be sure to pat the broccoli dry thoroughly after blanching to help achieve maximum crispiness when broiled.
- Watch the broccoli closely during the final broil to prevent cheese from burning.
- You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of spice.
- Use sharp Cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- This recipe works well using a baking sheet with rims to contain any melting cheese and oil.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko bread crumbs.
