25 Best Broccoli Recipes for the Pickiest Eaters
Soups, salads, and stir-fry meals are all tasty.
Broccoli might just be one of the most versatile veggies around. It's true! The green, tree-like florets and thick stalks can be roasted, steamed, blended into creamy soups, or even served raw! (Try it as part of your next crudité platter with an herby dip and you won't be disappointed.) Of course, broccoli is a delicious vegetable side dish for chicken, steak, or fish but it can also stand on its own in easy casseroles or your favorite pasta dish. And just because it's green doesn't mean your family won't eat it! Ree Drummond recalls the days when her kids were younger and broccoli was on the weeknight dinner menu: "My boy Bryce loves broccoli with cheese sauce so much that there’ve been times I’ve actually feared he would turn into broccoli with cheese sauce!" she jokes.
Not only is broccoli just plain delicious, but it's good for you. As Ree discovered when she was working on her health, eating more vegetables is one key to keeping your body happy and healthy. In addition to being pretty high-protein for a vegetable, broccoli is packed with minerals like folate, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Some studies have even linked eating more of the dark green veggie with preserving eye health as you age.
At this point, you're probably craving broccoli—and who could blame you? Once you've picked up some at the store, try the cruciferous veggie in one of these delicious broccoli recipes for dinner tonight.
Broccoli Caesar Salad
Get ready to switch up your salad: This dish swaps romaine for roasted broccoli florets and stems, baked until crispy and golden. Everything gets tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing with parmesan, garlic, Worcestershire, lemon, and a little anchovy for that classic savory punch. Finish it with homemade cheesy croutons.
Get the Broccoli Caesar Salad recipe.
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Here's a cozy dish you'll want on repeat: tender broccoli and fluffy rice baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce until bubbling and golden. It's easy to prep ahead and perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Get Ree's Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe.
Chicken and Broccoli
This recipe is even better than takeout! To make it, golden, tender chicken and bright, crisp broccoli get tossed in a bold, savory sauce. The key move is blanching the broccoli first, so everything cooks fast and evenly—no mushy veggies, no dry chicken. Serve it over steamed rice for an easy dinner.
Get the Chicken and Broccoli recipe.
Grilled Broccoli
This is the fastest way to make this veggie taste downright irresistible! Florets get lightly charred until smoky and crisp-tender, then finished with bright lemon and a shower of salty parmesan. It's a simple side for anything on the grill.
Get the Grilled Broccoli recipe.
Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This is the kind of low-effort, high-reward dinner that feeds a crowd, reheats like a dream, and somehow tastes even better once all the flavors settle in. Tender chicken and broccoli are coated with a rich, creamy sauce, then baked until the whole thing turns bubbly and bronzed.
Get Ree's Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
Got a bag of frozen broccoli in the back of your freezer? Put it to good use in this easy, fuss-free, cheesy soup. Don't forget to serve it up with saltine crackers, or in a bread bowl if that's your thing.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Broccoli
Sheet pan suppers are the best, especially when it involves pillowy soft gnocchi and a colorful array of veggies including broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Fresh basil and gooey mozzarella bring the whole dish together!
Broccoli Salad
This potluck favorite has so many tasty mix-ins that your friends and family will love. There's sweet dried cranberries, smoky almonds, shredded cheese, and crispy bacon. Oh, and a zippy, creamy dressing over everything!
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Roasted Broccoli
Sometimes, a simple roasted vegetable is best! This one is seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, grated parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of lemon juice. But the crispy edges are our favorite part.
Get the Roasted Broccoli recipe.
Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs
The broccoli, peppers, onions, and meatballs will all cook up together on a handy skewer—making this dinner as easy to cook as it is fun to eat!
Get Ree's Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
These days, you can find bags of pre-shredded broccoli slaw mix at most grocery stores, but if you're in a pinch, you can also grate two to three broccoli stalks using a food processor. It makes for a crunchy base in this cookout recipe.
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki with Broccoli
Simple steamed broccoli is the perfect side for these sticky-sweet chicken teriyaki bowls. It's a restaurant-worthy meal that will be on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Ravioli Primavera with Broccoli
Green veggies are the star of this ravioli dish—broccoli, asparagus, peas, and a lovely green pesto sauce covers the whole plate.
Get Ree's Ravioli Primavera with Broccoli recipe.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Broccolini
Broccolini is technically a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. Thinner and longer, it cooks up tender-crisp with garlic and ginger in this weeknight dinner.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
There's just something about this soup that's so, so comforting. Customize the recipe by choosing your favorite kinds of cheeses to mix in—cheddar isn't your only option!
Get Ree's Broccoli-Cheese Soup recipe.
Broccoli and Tomato Flatbread Pizzas
Everything tastes good on top of pizza, even broccoli! Ree also adds fresh tomatoes to hers.
Get Ree's Broccoli and Tomato Flatbread Pizzas recipe.
Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole
Buttery Ritz crackers make this casserole's texture almost like stuffing. It's heavenly—and filling enough that you can serve it as a main dish.
Get Ree's Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole recipe.
Ginger Meatballs With Sesame Broccoli
Broccoli is a great companion for these flavor-packed meatballs. Ree cooks the veggie in a bit of sesame oil for a nutty taste.
Get Ree's Ginger Meatballs With Sesame Broccoli recipe.
Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Broccoli
Simple steamed broccoli is the perfect side dish for most proteins, including this pretzel-crusted chicken. So simple, but so delicious.
Get Ree's Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Broccoli recipe.
Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole
Cheese-lovers, this casserole is for you. Serve it for Thanksgiving or as a side dish with dinner throughout the year.
Get Ree's Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole recipe.
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