Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan

Everyone loves this roasted broccoli tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and lots of black pepper.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated January 16, 2024
Elise Bauer

Kids don't usually beg for broccoli, at least not the kids I know.

So I was quite pleasantly surprised when my goddaughter and her sisters not only raved about roasted broccoli, but insisted on making a batch for me during a recent visit.

If this were how broccoli was always served, I would beg for it too.

Tender florets, tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, roasted at high heat until nicely browned around the edges and stems (with some crispy bits), and then sprinkled generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese—yes, this is broccoli that anyone could love!

You can even skip the lemon and cheese if you want. The broccoli is great roasted on its own with some olive oil and salt. But don't skip the black pepper. Broccoli loves pepper!

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan in a bowl ready to serve

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Roasting Vegetables Is Easy

Roasting vegetables is as easy as cutting them up, adding a little olive oil, and putting them in the oven. Okay, there's a bit more to it, but not much. We explain it all in a how-to.

Swaps and Substitutions

  • Use Asiago or Cotija cheese instead of Parmesan cheese
  • Use half kale and half broccoli
  • Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes
  • Add 1/2 cup of lightly toasted panko breadcrumbs after the olive oil for a little crunch

More Easy Roasted Vegetables Recipes

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 3 to 4 servings

The measurements are just a guideline. Add more or less olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese to taste.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (680g) broccoli (about 2 medium crowns), cut into florets of even size

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)

  • Kosher salt

  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Method

  1. Preheat the oven:

    Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. Toss the broccoli and garlic with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt:

    In a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets and minced garlic with olive oil and lemon juice until lightly coated. Sprinkle salt over the broccoli and toss to coat.

    Ingredients for a roasted Broccoli recipe

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
  3. Arrange the florets in a single layer on a baking sheet:

    Arrange the broccoli florets in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been rubbed with some olive oil or lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

    How to roast Broccoli on a sheet pan

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
  4. Roast:

    Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 16-20 minutes until cooked through (check by poking with a fork, should be fork tender) and lightly browned. The browned bits are the best! So don't worry if you see some charring.

    Broccoli on a sheet pan after roasting with Parmesan

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
  5. Toss with Parmesan and black pepper, then serve:

    Put the roasted broccoli back in the bowl and toss with lots of freshly ground black pepper and the grated parmesan cheese. Be generous with the black pepper, broccoli loves it!

    Serve immediately.

    Did you like this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review below!

    Roasted Broccoli in a bowl after being seasoned with parmesan cheese

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
210 Calories
16g Fat
14g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 210
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 263mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 112mg 558%
Calcium 127mg 10%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 525mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.