Description
A delicious and healthy side dish featuring crispy smashed broccoli topped with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large heads fresh broccoli
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Start by washing your broccoli heads thoroughly under cold water. Cut the florets away from the main thick stalk, aiming for medium-sized pieces that are roughly the same size.
- Place your broccoli florets into a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot and let them steam for about five to seven minutes.
- Once they are tender, remove them from the heat and let them sit for a minute so the excess steam can escape.
- Spread the steamed broccoli out on a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels. Gently pat the tops of the florets to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F while you get your baking sheet ready. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the dried broccoli florets onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between each one. Take a heavy glass or a small bowl with a flat bottom and press down firmly on each floret. You want to flatten them out until they are about half an inch thick.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Use a pastry brush or a small spoon to drizzle this seasoned oil over each smashed floret.
- Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top of each piece of broccoli. Try to get a little bit of cheese on the parchment paper right around the edges of the broccoli.
- Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You are looking for the cheese to turn a deep golden brown and the edges of the broccoli florets to look dark and crispy.
- As soon as you pull the tray out of the oven, drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the hot broccoli.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a standalone vegetarian option.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg