Can we be honest? We adore cauliflower and zucchini, but recently, we’ve started to feel a teeny bit bored by them. So, we’re falling back on our trusty standby: broccoli. It’s equally delicious, nutritious, low-carb (keto friends, we’re looking at you) and, dare we say it, kid-friendly. Below, 40 easy, unexpected broccoli recipes that will be a hit at dinner, from garlic-roasted broccoli salad to cheesy broccoli gratin.
The 40 Best Broccoli Recipes in the Universe
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Published Apr 11, 2022
1. Broccoli And Cauliflower Gratin
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Prediction: This side, starring cruciferous veggies and a whole lot of Gruyère and Parmesan, will be gone in seconds. Don't say we didn't warn you.
2. Roasted Broccoli And Bacon Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
Summer doesn't own pasta salad. Turn the leftovers into the happiest desk lunch ever.
3. Broccoli Pesto Pasta
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Pesto is decidedly kid-approved. Swap traditional basil for broccoli and they'll be none the wiser.
Donna Griffith/The Primal Gourmet Cookbook
4. Pan-roasted Broccoli ‘steaks’ With Garlic-sesame Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Make a second batch of the dressing to use on salads or as a marinade for fish, chicken or tofu.
5. Sweet Potato, Bacon And Broccoli Egg Muffins
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, kid-friendly, make ahead
This recipe is a great way to use up forgotten produce. Add spinach, onion, kale or whatever else you have on hand.
6. Roasted Broccoli And Aged White Cheddar Soup
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Who doesn't love a sourdough bread bowl? The answer is no one.
7. Hemp And Walnut Crusted Salmon With Broccoli And Kimchi Cauliflower Rice
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: high protein, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy
Salmon isn't the only ingredient in this bowl that boasts omega-3s—walnuts are chock-full of 'em, too.
8. Spicy Broccoli Sauté
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Drizzle your helping with sriracha for extra heat if the crushed red pepper flakes don't cut it.
9. Broccoli Margherita Pizza
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, gluten free, kid-friendly
Cheese, almond meal, eggs and broccoli florets unite to create an epic alternative to standard pizza dough.
10. Meal-prep Creamy Pasta Salad With Broccoli And Raisins
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Sour cream takes over for gloppy mayo for a creamy, tangy dressing you'll love. (Greek yogurt would work, too.)
11. Turmeric-spiced Cauliflower And Broccoli With Capers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Ghee (or clarified butter) has a higher smoke point than regular butter, so it's great for roasting vegetables.
12. Charred Broccoli With Sriracha Almond Butter Sauce
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, special occasion-worthy
The recipe calls for peeling the broccoli stems, which strips them of their tough outer layer and makes them more tender.
13. Broccoli Soup With Spinach, Cilantro And Croutons
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, crowd-pleaser
Proof that you don't need cheese to make a killer broccoli soup. We'll take extra croutons, please.
14. Sheet Pan Miso-glazed Fish With Broccoli And Coconut Rice
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love it: one pan, high protein, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy
Oh so elegant, yet a breeze to prepare. Go with salmon, sea bass, cod or halibut.
15. Broccoli Fritters
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
One way to guarantee everyone at the table finishes their veggies? Fry 'em. Top the fritters with a poached egg to make a truly magical meal.
16. Ayurvedic Cleansing Green Kitchen Bowl
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pot
Self-care at its finest. Skip the Greek yogurt (or substitute dairy-free coconut yogurt) to make it vegan.
17. Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, no cook, <30 minutes
Prep a big batch and lunch is covered for the week. The chickpeas provide a ton of protein and fiber to boot.
18. Beef With Broccoli
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: Paleo, high protein, <30 minutes
Your kids will be psyched to see their takeout fave on the table (and even more so because they won't have to wait for delivery).
19. Garlic, Beef And Broccoli Lo Mein
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, high protein
The sweet-and-savory sauce, made with brown sugar, ginger and sesame oil, is one for the books.
20. Lemon-garlic Roasted Broccoli Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, gluten free
Virtuous, but still packed with flavor (and tangy feta cheese).
21. Instant Pot Creamy Broccoli Mac And Cheese
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Bring on the extra sharp cheddar, Dijon mustard and butter for this decadent dish, which comes together in a flash with the help of a pressure cooker.
22. Chicken Broccoli Pizza
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly
Start with a shredded rotisserie chicken to save yourself some time.
23. Cheesy Ham And Broccoli Tater Tot Hot Dish
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Aka your kids' new favorite way to utilize frozen tater tots. Think salty ham, tender broccoli, crispy spuds and savory cheese sauce.
24. Broccoli Cheddar Potato Pierogi
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It:
Greek yogurt in the dough makes it extra moist, while cream cheese offers tangy decadence to the filling.
25. Broccoli Crunch Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook
Bring this bacon-kissed side to every picnic you ever attend—your friends will thank you.
26. Broccoli Quiche With Cherry Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Since it starts with a store-bought pie shell, this brunch beauty is easier to pull off than it looks.
27. Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Caution: Make this for the fam once and your kids will request it every week.
28. Light Bleu Cheese Broccoli Slaw
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
Throw it on burgers, serve it as a refreshing steak side or top it with crispy chicken to make a creamy salad.
29. Spaghetti Squash And Broccoli Alfredo
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free
Skip carby noodles in favor of fluffy, nutritious spaghetti squash. Substitute zoodles instead if the weather's hot.
30. Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Pockets
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
You'll blow the iconic Hot Pocket out of the water with this one. (The trick is using Crescent dough.)
31. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, kid-friendly
A trio of cheeses makes this family-style dish an easy win, as does the Ritz cracker topping.
32. Broccoli Tots
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Potatoes have nothing on these crispy bites. If you're feeling extra lazy, buy the broccoli pre-riced.
33. Spicy Mongolian Beef Broccoli "rice" Bowls
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, paleo,
Here, broccoli takes over for carby rice by being blitzed in a blender or food processor, steamed and seasoned.
34. Honey Balsamic Steelhead Trout
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, pescatarian, high protein
Complete with a side of oregano-kissed roasted broccoli.
35. Broccoli Cheese Quesadilla With Chipotle Sauce
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
It comes with a sweet-and-spicy dip, but we wouldn't blame you for plating it with a side of sour cream or guac as well.
36. Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp And Broccoli
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: air fryer recipe, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, pescatarian
Might we suggest serving it over one-pot pasta limone for a veggie-rich take on shrimp scampi?
37. Roasted Broccoli And Grilled Cheese Melt
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
We'd pile these sammies high with caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms if we were you...
38. Farro Mac And Cheese With Broccoli
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Allow us to introduce you to farro, a nutritious whole grain that's positively packed with fiber.
39. Savory Dutch Baby With Roasted Broccoli
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
This massive skillet pancake is laced with salty Parmesan, sharp scallions and a duo of fresh herbs.
40. Roasted Broccoli Pasta Carbonara With Crispy Prosciutto And Whipped Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
If you think broccoli and bacon are soulmates, wait until you taste it with its fancy cousin prosciutto.
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
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