Roasted broccoli is a delightful way to enjoy this nutritious superfood! Roasting brings out its natural flavors while adding a satisfying crunch. This simple cooking method enhances the taste and texture, making it a favorite side dish for broccoli lovers and skeptics alike.
The Delicious Benefits of Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli is more than just a side dish; it’s a versatile and nutritious option that can elevate any meal. If you’re looking to add some greens to your plate while keeping things simple and delicious, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll explore how to roast broccoli to perfection and share some tips for making it a standout part of your meal.
Why Choose Broccoli?
Broccoli is often touted as a superfood for good reason. Packed with vitamins K and C, folate, fiber, and antioxidants, this cruciferous vegetable offers numerous health benefits. Eating broccoli has been linked to improved heart health, digestive health, and even cancer prevention. Incorporating roasted broccoli into your diet is an easy and tasty way to boost your nutrient intake.
How to Roast Broccoli
Roasting broccoli is simple, requiring minimal ingredients and time. This recipe uses the following ingredients and cooks in a 450-degree F oven for 15 minutes.
- Fresh broccoli florets – Use only fresh broccoli in this recipe.
- Olive oil – Coats the broccoli for baking and helps the salt and pepper to adhere to the broccoli.
- Salt and pepper – Used to season this dish.
- Chopped pecans (optional) – Adds extra crunch and flavor.
- Butter – Adds flavor to this dish.
A Favorite Roasted Broccoli Recipe
This roasted broccoli recipe has become a staple for me, as it is always well-received. Every time I serve it, someone asks me for the recipe! This dish is easy and quick to prepare, tastes fantastic, and even encourages those who typically avoid broccoli to try it.
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Oven-Roasted Broccoli with Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 heads broccoli, washed and cut into florets
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ⅓ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Directions for Broccoli
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Place broccoli in a large baking dish or a jelly-roll pan with sides and toss with oil, pepper, and salt.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until browned.
Directions for Pecans
- In a skillet, place the pecan pieces and cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until they start to brown. Turn off the heat and place butter in the skillet and let it melt. Stir to coat the pecans.
- When the broccoli comes out of the oven, drizzle the melted butter and pecans over the broccoli and stir to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
Broccoli
- The recipe is best when served right out of the oven.
- Broccoli shrinks when roasted so what looks like a lot of florets before cooking will be a lot less after roasting.
- The broccoli browns better when placed in a single layer in the cooking pan.
Prep Ahead
- For ease of preparation, cut up the broccoli and pecans a day ahead of time and store each in their own container.
Adjust Cooking Time
- For less browned broccoli, reduce the cooking time to 12 minutes.
Spicy Broccoli Option
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the cooked broccoli and stir.
Substitute Salted Butter
- If using salted butter, reduce the salt amount to 1 teaspoon.