32 broccoli recipes that are actually exciting

For ages, broccoli has had a bad taste reputation. From the famous scorn of former President George HW Bush to all the three-year-olds who have their mouths shut tight at mealtimes, this vegetable (perhaps more than most) is hardly hailed as the winner. of dinner.

But that is about to change.

Why? Because it’s time for this nutritious cruciferous vegetable to be put in the spotlight. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli is rich in fiber and vitamins. A single cup contains as much vitamin C as an orange! It’s also a great addition to the grocery list to be economical; Plus, it’s readily available year-round in supermarkets, meaning you can use it whenever you want.

If that’s not enough to get you to eat your veggies, we’re here to help. Luckily, the fabulous chefs and cooks who frequent the kitchen TODAY are flavor wizards who can dress broccoli up or down, roast it on a griddle with crispy chicken, glaze it in a vivid miso and even slipping it into pepperoni rolls so kids (and adults!) could actually have excited eat their broccoli.

So roll up your sleeves, stock up on the goodies, and try these easy and delicious broccoli dishes.

Broccoli side dishes and appetizers

Roasting vegetables with salt, garlic powder and pepper makes them so delicious. Be sure to spread the broccoli evenly on the baking sheet so you get lots of crispy bits in every bite.

Making a sauce for vegetables, like this one with Tangy Orange, adds great flavor and encourages picky eaters with vegetable aversions to enjoy their greens more.

Say goodbye to freezer burnt bags of Tater Tots. Joy Bauer’s Homemade Version Is So Easy and delicious. By replacing the potato with broccoli, she cuts down on carbs and calories without sacrificing texture and flavor.

This is a twist on those classic mayonnaise-based broccoli salads, except every element is amped up. The quick-marinated shallots add a zesty kick, the gorgonzola lends a touch of savory creaminess, and the salami inserts the meaty element without requiring you to fry bacon.

There’s no reason to throw out the broccoli stalk, which has a radish-like crunch and a mild flavor. Cutting it into long spears and searing it keeps the broccoli crunchy while softening its fibers a bit, and the creamy avocado sauce acts as a kind of dipping sauce.

Cheese and broccoli are a natural combination in dips and dinners, but when you add bread and eggs to the mix, you have a mind-blowing side dish.

When it’s hot outside and you don’t want to turn on your stove, this light and bright salad is the perfect antidote. Use a grater or your food processor to get the broccoli as small as possible, then combine it with the fresh zest from the lemon and the brine from the feta for the perfect summer coleslaw.

Originating in West Virginia, pepperoni rolls are a popular chewy dough snack stuffed with pepperoni and gooey cheese. Here, Katie Lee makes a homemade version with the addition of broccoli. It’s perfect for entertaining and a great way to sneak into the veggie.

Serve this simple salad warm, with a crisp, tangy, onion vinaigrette. You can melt the pancetta to make it crispy, use the fat to cook the shallot, and add a little vinegar and Dijon to balance it all out.

This non-traditional dish borrows ideas from three different countries. Caesar salad was invented in Mexico, migas (toasted seasoned bread) originated in Spain, and the dressing contains a dollop of Japanese miso.

What’s the secret to putting so much cheesy flavor into a soup that only has 200 calories per serving? A crust from a piece of Parmesan cheese is key to adding plenty of rich flavor while keeping this comfort food on the virtuous side of the spectrum. A second sneaky addition comes from peeled and diced broccoli stalks in the broth, giving you tons of filling fiber and reducing the waste of this nutritious green vegetable.

Broccoli Appetizers

Marinated pepperoncini are the secret ingredient here, adding spice and heat. They’re also great for livening up meaty pork chops, nutty chickpeas, and earthy broccoli.

This soup includes three powerful nutritional ingredients: onions, broccoli and Greek yogurt. It’s only 100 calories per cup, contains six grams of protein, and six grams of fiber. Pair it with a piece of oven-roasted salmon for the ultimate (and complete) feel-good meal.

Broccoli and cheese make a great pairing, especially in baked pasta. Antoni Porowski’s skillet version is crispy on the edges and has a wonderful crispy breadcrumb topping – his favorite part.

What better way to savor veggies than with cheesy peppercorn pasta? Adding broccoli to the classic cacio e pepe gives the dish a nice bright green color and gives it a healthy boost.

When you’re trying to get people who don’t like their veggies to finish their broccoli, serve them these fluffy ricotta gnocchi smothered in a slightly spicy sweet pesto sauce, and they’ll be begging for more.

This creamy casserole is the epitome of comfort food. The rice makes it hearty enough to enjoy as a main dish, but it’s still light enough to serve as a side dish. And what better way to eat your greens than smothering them in melted cheese?

This one-pot vegetarian creation is packed with tons of plant-based protein and easy-to-digest fiber. The acorn squash slices and white beans caramelize perfectly on the outside and stay creamy on the inside.

Have you ever wondered what celebrity chefs like to cook at home? Well, now we know one of Tom Colicchio’s favorite dishes: Broccoli, Ham and Parmesan Pasta. And guess what? All you need is a pot to make this dish, so dinner and cleanup will be quick and easy.

If you’re a fan of teriyaki chicken rice bowls, this is a low-sodium and low-sugar alternative that can be quickly made from a roast chicken on a night you’re just too strong. to cook. It’s a perfect 10-minute semi-homemade meal!

It’s the perfect soup to make when you feel like you need an extra boost in your immunity. Green vegetables are packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants that will have you feeling stronger and on the mend in no time.

When planning what to make for dinner on a weeknight, the checklist typically includes “cheap”, “easy”, “crowd pleaser”, “healthy”, “one casserole”, “chicken” and “delicious”. This recipe by Kevin Curry from Cook fit men check all these things.

You will love this versatile rice mix. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal because everything is easily tossed together, dropped straight onto a baking sheet, and ready to eat in 30 minutes. Once you take this casserole out of the oven, the onions will be caramelized, the raisins will be plump, and the vegetables will be tender.

Fried rice is the ultimate customizable meal. You can choose your rice, your choice of protein, and a variety of vegetables to create a simple and hearty dinner to your liking.

This Parm baking sheet skips the frying step and adds roasted garlic bread and broccoli to make it a complete meal with very little cleanup. Plus, it’s a healthier way to enjoy everyone’s favorite Italian-American dish.

Not your basic, boring rotisserie chicken. The beer-based marinade makes this chicken extra juicy and flavorful, and the roasted garlic rub really ups the ante. Plus, there’s nothing better to go with it than super crispy broccoli.

The sea bass alone is incredibly buttery, but the marinade takes it to another level. Crispy Ginger Broccoli provides the perfect contrast in flavor and texture.

These baked chicken and ricotta meatballs are lighter than their beefy counterparts and don’t require a lot of work. Cooking skips the time and mess of stovetop browning and leaves you with a mixing bowl and griddle to clean up at the end — and, most importantly, 20 delicious meatballs with crispy broccolini.

Broccoli, mushrooms and garlic combined with a bright lemony flavor and a kick of spice make for a pretty unbeatable combination. Cooking the pasta gives the pieces along the rim an extra deeply satisfying crispy texture.

This recipe is one to repeat as it’s easy enough to make for a Monday night, but the results are nothing short of a fancy Friday night dinner.

Curtis Stone’s Succulent Casserole is a fabulous, family-friendly comfort meal that’s easy to make ahead, whether it’s a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

A quiche could his fancy, but it’s actually one of the most versatile dishes. It is, of course, a delicious brunch, but it is a delicious lunch or light dinner when served with a salad.