The most incredible Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipe you'll ever make! A perfect side for mains and the perfect addition to your holiday table. These veggies are tossed with garlicky olive oil and rich parmesan cheese until golden. This recipe takes just 30 minutes and is sure to impress with its crispy edges and savory flavor.
If you need more vegetable side dish recipes you'll love these roasted carrots or this shaved brussel sprout salad. And this broccoli and lemon salad side dish is always a huge hit! And of course you'll need an amazing potato side dish like this potatoes au gratin with gruyere cheese. This harissa chicken is the perfect pairing for these roasted veggies.
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⭐️ Why This Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Side Dish Works So Well
- Savory and cheesy flavor: The perfect mix of parmesan and garlic takes this dish to the next level.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes.
- The perfect side dish: Perfect as a side dish. Oven-roasting means you can multitask with other meal prep.
- Healthy: High in fiber and low in carbs; it’s a win-win!
🧾 Ingredients
- Broccoli and Cauliflower: The heroes of this dish. Use fresh florets for the best taste. Chop those broccoli and cauliflower heads into matching florets. *Even sizing equals even cooking!
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps crisp up the edges.
- Garlic: Brings a kick of flavor to the mix.
- Parmesan Cheese: Optional but highly recommended for a cheesy, crispy crust. Stick with grated Parmesan for the crispiest results.
- Salt and Pepper: The simplest seasonings for a balanced flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vegan Option: Skip the cheese or use a vegan alternative like nutritional yeast.
- Vegetables: You can use this recipe and method with any firm vegetable that can be roasted. Try it with eggplant, sweet potatoes or asparagus.
Flavor variations
- Mediterranean Seasoning: Use 1-2 teaspoons of Greek seasoning instead of Italian.
- Spicy Cajun: For a Cajun twist, use 1-2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning and skip the cheese.
- Herby Ranch: Dash in 1-2 teaspoons of herb mix along with the Parmesan, pre or post-roasting.
- Citrus Twist: Replace salt and pepper with zesty lemon-garlic seasoning. Add a squirt of lime for a change!
👩🏻🍳 Step By Step
- Preheat Oven: Crank it up to 425°F. *High heat is essential for getting those crispy golden edges.
- Prepare Veggies: Cut the broccoli and cauliflower, Wash and dry the vegetables well. *Dry vegetables roast much better than soggy ones!
- Season and Mix: Place the broccoli and cauliflower florets into a large bowl, Drizzle the florets with olive oil, and sprinkle in the parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Roast: Spread the veggies on an unlined baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.
- Visual Cue: Look for golden-brown edges as a sign of doneness.
💡 Top Tips
- Use high-quality olive oil for a richer flavor.
- Keep an eye on the clock to avoid overcooking. Crisp-tender is what we're aiming for.
- Don't Overcrowd: Give your veggies breathing space for optimal roasting.
- Skip parchment for better browning. Using an unlined pan is better for a crispy edge.
🥦 How to bring out the best flavor in roasted broccoli and cauliflower?
- Roasting: High heat caramelizes the natural sugars.
- Spices: Garlic, cumin, and paprika complement cauliflower's subtle flavor.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of parmesan or cheddar can elevate the dish.
🍯 Storage
- Fridge
- Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer
- Freezing isn't recommended due to texture changes.
- Reheat
- Best reheated in an oven to maintain crispiness.
💡 Top Tips
- Evenly-Sized Pieces: Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into even-sized florets. This ensures uniform cooking.
- Dry Veggies: Make sure the florets are completely dry before roasting. Moisture hinders crispiness!
- High Heat: Roasting at high heat ensures that crisp-tender finish we love.
❓FAQ
Yes, but remember to thaw them and modify roasting time.
Broccoli tends to cook faster due to its less dense texture. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking!
More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this roasted broccoli and cauliflower or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Also, please leave a star rating while you're there!
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You can also find weekly meal plans and budget recipes over on our sister site Savvy Bites.
Easy Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced *Or use 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Zest of and juice of 1 lemon, optional
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash the broccoli and cauliflower heads and then cut them into florets. Be sure to dry them well.
- Place the florets in a large mixing bowl.
Season the Vegetables
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and minced garlic (or garlic powder).
- Pour this garlic-oil mixture over the florets and toss to coat evenly.
- Add salt, black pepper, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Arrange and Bake
- Spread the seasoned florets in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the florets are tender and the edges are slightly crispy.
Add Final Touches
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the hot florets.
- Zest the lemon over the florets and then drizzle the lemon juice (if using).
- If using, sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Serve
- Serve hot as a side dish and enjoy your Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower!
Notes
- Even Spread: Make sure to spread the florets in a single layer on the baking sheet for even roasting.
- Checking for Doneness: You can check for doneness by piercing a floret with a fork. It should be tender but not mushy.
- Lemon Zest: Zesting the lemon adds a zing that elevates the overall flavor of the dish. Don't skip this step!
- Parmesan Cheese: Using freshly grated Parmesan gives a more authentic and robust flavor compared to pre-grated versions.
- Optional Heat: If you prefer a spicier dish, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, or any protein of your choice. It can also be added to pasta or grain bowls for a complete meal.
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