These easy and wholesome broccoli recipes are bright, delicious, and healthy.
Not only does broccoli bring a burst of color to your plate, but it also packs a nutritional punch. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, broccoli is a powerhouse of health benefits.
In this collection, we’ve harnessed its potential to create dishes that are not only delicious but also nourishing.
From comforting soups and curries to refreshing sides and salads, there’s something for every palate and occasion.
Broccoli often gets a bad reputation due to its bland taste and texture. Yet, if cooked properly, you can turn this nutritional vegetable into tasty, elegant, and crowd-pleasing dishes.
Take your pick from these 15 easy and wholesome broccoli dishes that will quickly upgrade your dinner with extra greens.
1. Broccoli pasta
Broccoli pasta is a creamy and delicious dish with six simple ingredients in about 20 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner.
Eat it as is, or serve it with a fresh green side salad for added crispness to your meal.
2. Roasted broccoli
Roasted broccoli is a tender-crisp side dish of broccoli florets roasted in the oven and seasoned with a tasty lemon-garlic dressing.
Sprinkle with shaved almonds, vegan cheese, or parmesan cheese for an extra indulgent side.
3. Broccoli soup
Learn how to make a delicious and creamy broccoli soup that is tasty and nourishing without cheddar or cream.
Top the soup with homemade croutons or roasted chickpeas for a complete and satiating dinner idea.
4. Broccoli frittata
This vegan frittata is crisp on the outside, soft, and moist on the inside, and for some reason, it feels like eating a regular egg frittata.
Broccoli’s robust texture and earthy flavor make it the perfect addition to frittatas, creating a delicious balance of taste and nutritional richness.
5. Roasted broccoli and cauliflower
Roasted broccoli and cauliflower is a great side dish you can make with almost no effort and a few ingredients for weeknight dinner or the holidays.
Broccoli’s versatile and mild flavor profile and its crisp texture make it the perfect addition to side dishes that match any main dish.
6. Tofu stir fry
Here’s an easy and versatile 30-minute tofu stir fry with your favorite veggies and a tasty sauce that makes it better than a takeaway.
The crisp texture of broccoli is a perfect complement to a stir-fry, adding a delightful contrast and a nutritional boost to this plant-powered dish.
7. Cauliflower Alfredo with broccoli
Here’s an easy, creamy, cheesy cauliflower Alfredo sauce; its velvety smooth texture pairs perfectly with chewy fettuccine pasta.
The mild flavor of broccoli pairs well with the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce and adds depth and nutrition to your pasta dish.
8. Tofu soup
This tofu soup is quick, tasty, and straightforward. You can make it in 30 minutes with simple ingredients and seasonal veggies any time of the year.
Broccoli and tofu make a perfect match, as the tender-crisp texture of broccoli complements the smoothness of tofu in this soup recipe.
9. Lentil curry with broccoli
Lentil curry with broccoli florets is an easy, tasty, and nourishing meal in one pot with simple ingredients in about 30 minutes.
Our recipe is simple yet satisfying and flavorful and pairs perfectly with white rice, cruciferous greens, and Naan bread.
10. Broccoli Aglio e Olio pasta
Garlic and oil pasta is an Italian recipe originating in southern Italy; however, this broccoli variation is extra creamy and has a healthy dose of added greens.
It’s a quick vegetarian dinner idea ready in 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
11. Broccoli salad (no bacon)
This broccoli salad is crunchy, creamy, light, and fulfilling in one tasty bowl.
It’s our interpretation of the classic broccoli salad recipe. We use almonds and sun-dried tomatoes instead of cheddar cheese and bacon bits to make it vegetarian–friendly.
12. Broccoli cauliflower salad
This broccoli cauliflower salad is a crisp and creamy recipe that is a refreshing side dish for a memorable holiday meal, potlucks, and get-togethers.
You’ll love the combination of textures and flavors. The crispy veggies meet a velvety, smooth, and tangy dressing with mayo and yogurt.
13. Roasted broccoli and carrots
Roasted carrots and broccoli are a simple and delicious side dish you can serve for any occasion, from Thanksgiving and Holiday meals to weeknight dinners.
Those two veggies are delicious together because the sweetness of roasted carrots balances out broccoli’s slight bitterness.
14. Vegetable curry
Vegetable curry is a cozy, easy, and delicious Indian-inspired recipe packed with vegetables and made in one pot.
You can make it in about 30 minutes and serve it as a main dish with a bowl of rice, noodles, or warm flatbread.
15. Peanut noodles
Peanut noodles are perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, and they are a delicious way to enjoy a satisfying and healthy dish in no time.
Enjoy this simple and fulfilling dish by tossing your noodles with sauce and chopped veggies (bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli).
TIP: For added vegetarian protein, you can add fried tofu, air fryer tofu, marinated tofu, or tempeh bacon.
Fresh or frozen broccoli?
We recommend using fresh broccoli. You can use the whole head, including the broccoli florets, stems, and leaves.
Frozen broccoli works, too; however, in our tests, the recipes turned out a little more watery with frozen broccoli.
Other ways to cook broccoli
Steamed broccoli
Rinse the broccoli and cut it into small pieces. Place the florets in a steaming basket and fill a skillet with water.
Bring the pot to a simmer and steam until the stems are soft. It can take 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the broccoli florets.
To check if they are done, slide a small knife through the stem of the broccoli. If it slides easily, the broccoli is steaming.
Serve steamed broccoli next to your main dish; it pairs well with saucy dishes, such as stir-fries, curries, and stews:
- Orange tofu: sweet and sticky sauce coats perfectly chewy tofu cubes, a great vegetarian dinner idea!
- Chickpea curry with creamy coconut sauce, perfectly paired with greens.
- Braised tofu with a mildly sweet, tangy, and Asian-inspired sauce.
- Chickpea stew with sweet potato and a Middle-Eastern spice mix is an easy one-pot dinner idea.
For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.
15 Broccoli Recipes
Ingredients
FOR ROASTED BROCCOLI
- 1 pound broccoli about 1 large head
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 twists black pepper
FOR THE DRESSING
- 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoons salt
TOPPINGS (Optional)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated, or dairy-free cheese
- ⅓ cup almonds slivered or shaved, and toasted
Instructions
OVEN-ROASTED BROCCOLI
- Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Rinse and shake the water off the broccoli head. Cut the florets into similar-sized pieces.Save the stem to make our broccoli soup, or slice it thinly and add it to the florets.
- Transfer the broccoli florets onto the baking sheet and season with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss with your hands and arrange them on a single layer without overlapping.
- Bake at 400°F or 200°C for 20 to 25 minutes until the florets are tender-crisp. In the meantime, you can make the dressing.
- Transfer onto a serving platter and drizzle with the dressing.
VARIATION WITH CHEESE
- Once the broccoli are ready, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or a dairy-free alternative and broil for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
LEMON-GARLIC DRESSING
- Add olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes to a small jar. Optionally, you can add grated lemon zest.Close and shake well to combine. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients in a small bowl.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.
Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.
Easy right?