This smashed broccoli with parmesan takes a fun twist on the traditional roasted broccoli. Each smashed floret is perfectly seasoned and sprinkled with crispy parmesan cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This simple recipe may just become your new favorite way to make a broccoli dish! It is perfect for both the broccoli lover and those still learning to like broccoli thanks to it's great flavor in each crispy bite.
- If you've tried smashed potatoes, you'll know that the process of smashing is one of the innovative methods to use to help create a crispier final product. Smashing the broccoli is a simple way to increase the surface area and create a flatter surface, allowing the cheese to stick better to the seasoned broccoli, creating a delicious broccoli dish.
- This parmesan smashed broccoli requires a few simple ingredients and only a few minutes of prep time.
- This great recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with a main course such as our rotini bolognese.
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh broccoli - we recommend using a fresh broccoli crown over frozen broccoli, which will not produce the same crispy result. Cut the broccoli into medium or small florets depending on your preference (however, note that the broccoli will cook more quickly with smaller florets).
- Olive oil
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder - you can also use fresh garlic or garlic butter (in place of the olive oil), however, fresh garlic may be more prone to burning.
- Grated parmesan cheese - we recommend getting fresh parmigiano reggiano from the refrigerator section for best results.
- Squeeze of lemon juice and red pepper flakes (optional) - these extra touches will take each floret of parmesan crusted broccoli to the next level!
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper*
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A heavy glass or mason jar to smash the broccoli
Step by Step Directions for smashed parmesan broccoli
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the broccoli into medium sized florets. Lay them on the lined baking sheet in a single layer and drizzle the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder on top. Toss to evenly coat the broccoli.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until you have tender broccoli (the cooking time may depend on the size of your florets). Remove from the oven and carefully use the bottom of a glass or the bottom of a mason jar to “smash” each piece of broccoli down. You can use a paper towel to soak up any extra moisture. Sprinkle a little Parmesan the smashed broccoli florets. Return to the oven for 3-5 more minutes, until the cheese melts and is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips & Variations
- While some recipes may call for a different cooking process such as steaming or boiling, we like to roast it all on one pan to make for easy clean up.
- Feel free to try this method with different vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.
- For extra flavor you could also add some onion powder or lemon zest.
FAQ
For best results, we recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. For a dairy-free or vegan option, omit the parmesan cheese or replace with nutritional yeast.
If you like this recipe, check out another tasty side dish:
If you make this crispy smashed broccoli recipe, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished product—it makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Crispy Smashed Broccoli With Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan
- Optional: Squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the broccoli into medium sized florets. Lay them on the baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder on top. Toss to evenly coat the broccoli.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Remove from the oven and carefully use the bottom of a cup to “smash” the broccoli down. Sprinkle a little Parmesan on each piece. Return to the oven for 3-5 more minutes, until the Parmesan is golden brown. Remove from the oven and add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. For a dairy-free or vegan option, omit the parmesan cheese or replace with nutritional yeast.
The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Smashed Broccoli."
The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
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