Name: Oven Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces broccoli (cut into floret slices); 4 tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice; ¼ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated); chili pepper flakes to taste

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This Oven Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli is one of those easy side dishes that proves simple ingredients can create incredible flavor. Fresh broccoli florets are tossed in olive oil, roasted until tender with lightly browned edges, then finished with fresh squeezed lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. For a little spice, I also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Oven Roasted Broccoli-Topped with Parmesan

"I made this as a side for dinner and even the picky eaters enjoyed it. The lemon and Parmesan really brighten the broccoli!"

★★★★★- Catalina

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🔍 Quick Look: Oven Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
A note to the reader
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Steps
Watch how to make
What kind of pan should you use for oven roasted broccoli?
Can you roast frozen broccoli?
Why is it better to add lemon juice after roasting the broccoli?
Why should you add Parmesan cheese after roasting the broccoli instead of before?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🔍 Quick Look: Oven Roasted Lemon Parmesan Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes (up to 25 minutes for crispier broccoli)
👥 Servings: 6
📊 Calories: 124 per serving
🥦 Main Ingredients: Fresh broccoli, olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes
🍋 Flavor: Bright lemon, savory Parmesan, with a hint of heat
⭐ Difficulty: Easy

A note to the reader

There was a time when broccoli was just the vegetable sitting on the side of the plate at our dinner table. It was healthy, but it wasn't exactly the part of the meal anyone got excited about. Then I started roasting it in the oven. Everything changed. The high heat brings out the broccoli's natural sweetness, gives the edges a little caramelization, and turns an ordinary vegetable into anything but boring.

Whether you're serving it with grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, or seafood, this easy roasted broccoli recipe comes together in about 25 minutes and pairs well with almost any meal. I hope you love it as much as we do! Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.

oven roasted lemon parmesan broccoli ingredients- broccoli, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper

Ingredient notes and substitutions

You will need the following ingredients to make oven roasted lemon parmesan broccoli.

broccoli florets- Fresh broccoli gives the best flavor and develops the beautiful browned edges you want when roasting. You can use frozen broccoli if needed, but it won't become quite as crisp and may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
olive oil- Helps the broccoli caramelize and keeps the seasonings evenly coated. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
garlic powder- I recommend garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic because fresh garlic can burn during the roasting and become bitter.
lemon juice- Adds bright flavor. I don't recommend lemon juice from a bottle with this recipe.
parmesan cheese- Freshly grated parmesan melts better and has a richer flavor than the shelf-stable grated parmesan found in the shaker can.
red chili flakes- Adds a kick of heat and complements the lemon and parmesan, but feel free to leave out if you prefer a milder flavor.
salt and pepper- Season generously to bring out the flavors of the roasted broccoli.

*The full recipe with ingredient measurements is located at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Steps

Follow these simple steps to roast broccoli with lemon and parmesan.

Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, if desired.
Place broccoli in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then spread the broccoli into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan or the broccoli will steam instead of roast.
Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and the edges begin to brown. For crispier broccoli, continue roasting for up to 25 minutes, keeping a close eye on it during the last few minutes to prevent burning, watching closely not to burn.
Remove from oven. Drizzle broccoli with fresh squeezed lemon juice. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and red chili pepper flakes, if desired. Serve warm.

Watch how to make

What kind of pan should you use for oven roasted broccoli?

This broccoli typically roasts in about 20 minutes, but the exact cooking time can vary depending on the type of baking sheet you use. Dark colored pans tend to absorb more heat, so the broccoli may cook faster than it would on a light colored pan. Start checking for doneness around the 15 minute mark and continue roasting until the broccoli is tender with lightly browned edges.

Can you roast frozen broccoli?

Yes, you can roast frozen broccoli, but keep in mind that it won't become quite as crispy as fresh broccoli because it releases more moisture as it cooks. Plan to add about 10 to 15 minutes to the roasting time.

For the best results, roast the broccoli straight from frozen. There's no need to thaw it first. About halfway through cooking, flip the broccoli florets. Because of the liquid the frozen broccoli lets out during roasting, I like to add a little more oil half way through. This will help crisp it up more after that water has been released.

Why is it better to add lemon juice after roasting the broccoli?

Adding lemon juice after roasting gives the broccoli more brighter, fresher flavor. If you add the lemon juice before roasting, the high heat reduces its fresh citrus flavor.

The lemon juice also adds moisture, which can slightly slow the browning and caramelization. Roasting the broccoli in olive oil first, allows it to develop brown edges. Then, adding the lemon juice after roasting coats the broccoli with fresh flavor without interfering with the roasting process.

Why should you add Parmesan cheese after roasting the broccoli instead of before?

It is better to add the Parmesan cheese after roasting the broccoli instead of before. Parmesan browns quickly and could go from golden and flavorful to burnt and bitter during the roasting process. Also, sprinkling the Parmesan cheese over the hot broccoli allows it soften and melt slightly without becoming hard and dry.

More veggie sides

Please leave me a comment below if you make this roasted parmesan broccoli recipe, and tell me what your opinion of it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.

Also post your picture of your broccoli on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!

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