Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Drizzle

Name: Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Drizzle
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 pound (16 ounces) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces (from 2 pounds or about 1 1/2 bunches of broccoli); 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; Salt; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese*; 1 to 2 tablespoons thick balsamic vinegar**; Lemon zest from 1/2 to 1 lemon, preferably organic; Pinch of red pepper flakes (omit if sensitive to spice); Pinch of flaky sea salt or kosher salt

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Broccoli has never tasted better. Truly, I have never been this excited about broccoli, and I’m a big broccoli fan!

Broccoli florets are roasted until they’re irresistibly caramelized and crackly on the edges, with golden, bubbling Parmesan on top. A drizzle of tangy balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of lemon zest rounds it out.

This delicious side dish recipe looks sophisticated and it’s easy to make, too. The only hard part about making this recipe is not eating it all straight off the pan!

Make this simple side dish recipe on busy weeknights and special holidays. No matter the occasion, this broccoli will disappear quickly.

This Parmesan and balsamic broccoli is a delicious variation on my perfect roasted broccoli recipe. This recipe would pair beautifully with your favorite Italian or Mediterranean entrées.

It would be lovely with eggs, too, for brunch or a simple breakfast-for-dinner situation.

Looking for recipes to pair with this broccoli side dish?

You can roast this broccoli in the oven while you cook pasta on the stove. Here are a few of my favorite pasta dishes that would play well with this roasted broccoli:

You could also roast this broccoli while you’re baking hearty Italian casseroles. Just bake the broccoli on the rack below. Here are my picks:

Let me know how you like this recipe in the comments! Your feedback and ratings are so important to me, and I’m eager to hear what you think of this broccoli.

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Drizzle

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Author: Cookie and Kate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 side servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Roasted
Cuisine: Mediterranean

★★★★★

4.9 from 25 reviews

The ultimate roasted broccoli recipe, featuring golden Parmesan cheese and tangy balsamic vinegar! Make this easy broccoli side dish for your next dinner and everyone will love it. Recipe yields 4 generous side servings.

Scale

Ingredients

1 pound (16 ounces) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces (from 2 pounds or about 1 ½ bunches of broccoli)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese*
1 to 2 tablespoons thick balsamic vinegar**
Lemon zest from ½ to 1 lemon, preferably organic
Pinch of red pepper flakes (omit if sensitive to spice)
Pinch of flaky sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper so you don’t end up with cheese stuck to your pan.
On the prepared baking sheet, toss the broccoli with the oil until all of the florets are lightly coated. Arrange them in an even layer across the pan, then sprinkle salt lightly on top.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven. Toss the broccoli with a spatula and arrange it in an even layer across the pan again. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the broccoli, then return the pan to the oven. Bake for 10 more minutes, or until the florets are turning deeply golden on the edges and the Parmesan is golden and bubbly.
Drizzle balsamic lightly over the broccoli and grate lemon zest on top, to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes and flaky salt. This side dish is best served warm, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for several days. Gently reheat in the microwave before serving.

Notes

Make it dairy free/vegan: Simply omit the Parmesan, or sprinkle on vegan Parmesan after baking.

*Parmesan note: Most Parmesans are not technically vegetarian (they contain animal rennet), but Whole Foods 365 and BelGioioso brands offer vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

**Balsamic vinegar note: For the vinegar to stick to the broccoli, you’ll want to use a high-quality, thick balsamic vinegar (I love Napa Valley Naturals’ Grand Reserve Vinegar—it’s about $7, make sure you get the bottle with “25 stars” on it) or store-bought balsamic glaze/reduction (DeLallo and Alessi make them). You can use regular runny balsamic for less beautiful results, or make your own balsamic reduction by following the note below.

How to make balsamic reduction: Bring 1 cup (or more) runny balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small, thick bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often, until the vinegar is reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the reduction to cool, then transfer to an air-tight jar and store in the pantry. Balsamic vinegar is great on everything from pizza to ice cream, Caprese and green salads, and more.

▸ Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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