Do you like dares? I do. Well, unless they involve heights, in which case I’ll pass. If you dare me to do something with my two feet firmly on the ground, I’ll be inclined to take you up on it.
My dare for you is to serve something a little different at Thanksgiving. Just one side dish that deviates from the usual green bean casserole and mashed potatoes, maybe. Or a dessert that’s not pumpkin pie. (This dessert should certainly not replace pumpkin pie, however. Let’s not get too crazy.) Just something that will broaden your guests’ horizons a bit and liven up the standard beige Thanksgiving plate.
Here’s a side dish that fits the bill. It includes broccoli rabe, which we’ve talked about before—it looks like long, flat broccoli but tastes more like kale. It’s bitter in the best way. I really like it.
Here, roasted broccoli rabe is tossed with golden potatoes and just enough Parmesan cheese to tempt even the skeptics. The dish comes together fairly quickly—you can prepare the broccoli rabe and dressing while the potatoes roast for the first 22 minutes, then roast the broccoli rabe on the upper rack until it’s tender and the leaves are a little crisp. A simple, zippy blend of lemon, mustard and garlic soaks right into the potatoes and makes this dish extra flavorful.
If you don’t have enough oven space for the big feast, I think this recipe would also make a great breakfast hash situation. Just top individuals servings with eggs cooked to your liking. If you are still a little skeptical of broccoli rabe, click here to learn about its nutrition benefits and find more creative broccoli rabe recipes from bloggers!
Lemony Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe
- Author:
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Cuisine: Italian
This delicious side dish features golden roasted potatoes and tender, roasted broccoli rabe with Parmesan cheese melted into it. This recipe would also make a great breakfast—just serve with eggs! (Fried, poached, scrambled or hard boiled.) Recipe yields 4 side servings.
Ingredients
Roasted broccoli rabe and potatoes
- 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- ¾ pound broccoli rabe (about 1 bunch)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about ½ lemon, juiced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with racks in the middle of the oven and upper third of the oven. Slice the potatoes into ¾-inch pieces. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway.
- Meanwhile, prepare the broccoli rabe by rinsing it and spinning it dry in a salad spinner or patting it dry. Slice off the tough lower ends and any stems that are greater than ¼-inch in diameter and discard those pieces. Roughly chop the remaining broccoli rabe into 2- to 3-inch pieces.
- On a separate large baking sheet, combine the broccoli rabe with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the Parmesan, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Use your hands to rub the ingredients into the broccoli rabe, so it’s lightly but thoroughly coated in oil. Arrange the broccoli rabe in a single layer. Once the potatoes have only 8 minutes baking time remaining, place the baking sheet on the upper rack in the oven.
- While the potatoes and broccoli rabe finish cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Once the timer goes off, the broccoli rabe should be tender and turning crispy in places, and the potatoes should be golden and tender throughout. If not, bake leave one or both pans in the oven a couple more minutes.
- Transfer the contents of both pans to a bowl and drizzle the dressing into the bowl. Toss to mix well, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make it dairy free/vegan: Skip the Parmesan!
▸ Nutrition Information
This post was created in partnership with Andy Boy and I received compensation for my participation. Opinions are my own, always. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who support C+K!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Allie
This looks delicious, definitely trying this soon! I love your recipes, they always looks so fresh & healthy. Keep them coming!
Kate
Thanks, Allie!
Katrina
Thanksgiving is over already for us Canadians but I would certainly like to make something like this right now!! I love the lemon with the potatoes!
Amy @ parsley in my teeth
I love lemon with potatoes. It’s not done nearly enough and I’m so glad you shared this recipe! Lemon, garlic, Dijon — what’s not to love about that?!
Kate
Thanks, Amy! I’m definitely a fan of that combo!
Susan
This is one dare I’d probably take you up on. (I’m not big on most dares.) For one thing, roasted makes vegetables better. For another, this isn’t going to add 5000 calories to the Thanksgiving or other dinner. Or breakfast. Raw garlic is difficult for me, though, so I’d make sure I used only a small clove of it.
Kate
Woohoo! Pouring the garlicky dressing over the hot potatoes helps temper the flavor a bit, but sounds like a small clove would be just right for you.
nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
I’m all about adding a little variety to the Thanksgiving table, we usually try to introduce 2-3 new dishes each year in addition to all the traditional sides (we typically have A LOT of people over), and one usually ends up being a constant in years to come. Love this healthier, fresher option — I’m a sucker for broccoli rabe!
Kate
Sounds like you have an epic Thanksgiving feast every year! Hope to see you soon, Nicole!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
Love the flavor of lemon and potatoes together. Never thought to add the broccoli rabe or to eat it for breakfast. But why not? Happy fall!
Kate
Thanks, Karen!
Sophie
I love lemony potatoes but this looks incredible. I am definitely going to have to make this, maybe for breakfast (never even though about potatoes for breakfast though!).
Sophie
This sounds right up alley! I love broccoli rabe but never know what to do with it besides roasting it and eating it plain.
Allyson
I don’t think my family would be down for replacing the traditional trappings, but this is totally my jam. I might take you up on your suggestion to turn this into a hash some lazy morning.
Kelley
I wouldn’t dare try it for Thanksgiving…I mean, showing up at my mom’s house and asking for oven space probably wouldn’t go over so well… but mustardy-garlicy roasted vegetables are basically my favorite. I hadn’t thought to add lemons. So good.
Kate
Yeah, that part could be problematic. They’d be a great side dish for any weeknight dinner, though!
Sarah Noelle
THANK YOU for giving me some guidance as to what to do with the five billion potatoes that my CSA has sent me this month. I have potatoes coming out of my ears. :)
Kate
Perfect! Hope you love it!
Bella B
In my family we always do different dishes for holidays! At christmas we do a different meal every year its so fun!
Adina
I love the simplicity and I am so sure I would like this. It is saved!
Kate
Thanks, Adina! Hope you love it!
Lynne
This looks totally yummy. Still haven’t had any luck in finding Broccoli Rabe here in South Africa, but I am sure I can substitute it, it may not be 100% like yours, but hopefully it will be great. :-)
Kate
Thanks, Lynne! I think broccolini or broccoli or maybe even de-stemmed kale would be great here!
Camillia
This looks delish!
Sara | Tastefulventure
I have never tried Broccoli Rabe, ok now I need to make a trip to the grocery store so I can make this! :)
Kate
Hurry! :)
Joshua Hampton
Well, this is interesting. I have never tried broccoli rabe before, but I certainly love the simplicity of this dish. I could eat this for breakfast, and yes, with eggs.
Kate
Thanks, Joshua! I hope you’ll give it a shot soon!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health
i have yet to try broccoli rabe…
Mandy
Made this last night, but couldn’t find broccoli rabe at the store! I subbed broccolini and it was amazing and delicious and will be lunch today, too. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for broccoli rabe so I can try it again by the book!
★★★★★
Kate
Sounds like a great sub! Glad you enjoyed this one, too, Mandy!
jess
This looks great! I am of a mind to make it just a bit naughtier, though- so in addition to a fried egg I’m going to borrow a trick from a favorite breakfast spot, and add a bit of garlic aioli for dipping :)
Anna Kohn
Made it. Stellar! I will probably need this weekly forever more. We sub’d vegan “parmesan” (finely ground raw cashews and nutritional yeast) and presto. Standout delicious dish, Kate! Thanks yet again.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Anna! I love your vegan Parmesan sub.
Gaby Dalkin
hurray for lemony potatoes! I love the challenge of making something different for Thanksgiving, it’s so easy to make the same things year to year. and yes, we all need to give broccoli rabe more of a chance!
Stephanie
Oh yes, another excuse to eat delicious potatoes! Looks wonderful, thank you.
Alexa @ Sweet Little Kitchen
Yum! I made a similar lemon roasted vegetable recipe from the Vegetarian ATK cookbook last week and wasn’t thrilled with it (though my husband absolutely loved it). I want to try this one because I prefer yukon potatoes to red, grated parm makes everything better, I think the addition of dijon mustard to the lemony dressing sounds divine :) I may throw some capers in there too!
Kate
I hope you love this one, Alexa! Parmesan, Dijon and lemon are a few of my favorite flavors, too. I tried this dish with red potatoes, but the Yukons turned out much more crisp and delicious.
Cassandra
Thank you so much. Absolutely delicious. As a semi-new vegetarian I need extra inspiration this time of year to not feel like I’m missing out on all the meat dishes. And this does the trick and then some :)
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! Thank you, Cassandra.
Christy
I made this tonight and without a doubt, the flavors are spot-on fantastic. It seems a stretch that such simple ingredients can culminate into such a lovely flavor experience but your recipes never fail to deliver that special, complimentary pop of wholesome goodness in each bite!
My version variance was vegan, no oil so my Yukon’s were roasted with a bit of broth and my parmesan was homemade vegan and it was still a delight! Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you very much, Christy! I really get a kick out of turning simple ingredients into something really special. Glad to hear it’s appreciated!
Jena @fuelingafitfam
This looks great! I am always looking for good side dish recipes to switch it up! This dish will be a perfect addition to our holiday table!
Thanks for a great recipe!
Kate
Thanks, Jena! Hope you get a chance to cook this one soon!
Sloan
Hi Kate — I made this recipe tonight and it is a hit with my whole family. I did not have broccoli rabe on hand, so I substituted spinach which I added for last 2 minutes in oven so that is was just beginning to wilt. I also used half yukon gold and half sweet potatoes. I really love the dressing — this will be a keeper in my recipe box. Thanks once again for a fabulous recipe. I look forward to getting your cookbook when its available.
Kate
Thank you, Sloan! Really happy to hear it. Can’t wait for you to see my cookbook!
pat
the broccoli rabe and potato recipe sounds real good, but what can i use instead of parmesan cheese?
Asako
i don’t think you need it, the main flavour is from the lemon/garlic sauce. but you could use nooch (nutritional yeast)
Melissa
Would love to try this for NYE! Any tips on getting bitterness out of broccoli rabe or does roasting do the trick?
Kate
Made this for a small dinner party last night, and it was well loved by all! Thanks for a delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Kate! Happy it was a crowd-pleaser :)
Asako
I thought I should finally comment on and review this recipe since I’ve made it SO many times. We make it as a side for a salmon steak and the combination is just amazing.
I’ve actually never been able to find broccoli rabe so i’ve just used broccoli every time – I slice them into long thin stalks, so they look like thinner brocollini. I roast them for a bit longer than the recipe calls for, but they taste amazing with the same sauce.
Last night I planned to make this but didn’t even have potato on hand! Luckily I had sweet potato so I thought i’d try that and it was pretty damn good too. NOT as good as regular ol’ potato, but great nonetheless :)
Thanks! One of our faves from your site.
I would actually like to try this with broccoli rabe one day if I can ever find it. I might try with kale next time as it seems similar.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m glad this works, even with the broccoli rabe/broccoli substitution! Thanks so much for commenting, as always, Asako!
Terry
Love this recipe. I make it using nutritional yeast on the broccoli rabe
to replace the parmesa.
★★★★★
Susan Manley
This is hands down deceptively simple but one of the best potato dishes ever. I can’t stop eating it!
Greta
Probably my new favorite recipe until I make another one from your blog. My co-op didn’t have rabe, so I used mini broccoli. So good!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for your review!
Deborah
AMAZING!
Kate
Thank you!
aubrey
What can you use instead of broccoli rabe? It’s not easy to find in the grocery..
Kate
Hi Aubrey, you could use broccolini or kale, I think. Hope that helps! The potatoes are great on their own accord.
Mary M
Do you think I could bring this to a St. Patrick’s Day potluck as a potato dish? Or would the Herbed Red Potato Salad be a better option. If you have an Irish Potato recipe like Colcannon or Dublin Coddle or Roasted Potatoes, please let me know. Thank you.
Kate
I think either would be! (and stay tuned for another one coming in time for St. Patrick’s day!)
Sabrina
Super yummy recipe and super easy. We loved this and will make it again and again.
★★★★★
Renee
Made this tonight! Tasted wonderful. I served it with a soft boiled egg.
★★★★★
Jasmine
All I can say is wow. I have never had lemony potatoes before. This was also my first time cooking with broccoli rabe and man was it delicious. This is recipe just became on of my favorites. The only thing I did differently is I halved petite potatoes. I also added rosemary. Thank you this recipe has me wanting more.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you! I appreciate your review, Jasmine.