Deliciously caramelized broccoli with that roasted crispy texture made quick and easy? Yes, please! Learn all the tips to bake this epic side perfectly each time.

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan
Want to turn plain broccoli into caramelized bites that make the most cheeselicious side dish? Easy peasy! With this simple recipe and a few basic ingredients, everyone will be eager to eat their greens.
Roasting veggies in the oven brings out their natural flavor and sweetness, making them way tastier than steamed broccoli. And if you add lemon, garlic, and cheese to the equation, we get the most delicious Parmesan Roasted Broccoli ever!
The sprinkled parmesan gives the broccoli a lightly salty and cheesy flavor that kids love, which is one reason they also love the veggie mac and cheese recipe.
Since the oven does all the work, you can enjoy a good-for-you effortless side dish with very little cleanup and ready-to-eat in less than 30 minutes. Did anyone say the perfect weeknight dinner side? I know!
Ingredients
Simplicity can taste amazing, and this recipe is the proof. With broccoli and everyday ingredients, bake a scrumptious and healthy side dish to enjoy with baked chicken or your favorite protein.
Here’s what you need:
- Fresh broccoli: cut it into florets. If you have frozen broccoli, check out this recipe.
- Olive oil: helps to caramelize broccoli and turn it subtly golden brown.
- Lemon: adds a fresh, bright flavor.
- Garlic: fresh garlic cloves grated yield better results, but you can use garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand.
- Salt and pepper: two classics for seasoning.
- Grated parmesan cheese: what makes broccoli deliciously cheesy!
You’ll find the amounts in the recipe card below.

How to Roast Broccoli with Parmesan
Making this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli is nothing more than washing the veggies, seasoning, and baking to perfection. Are you already adding this recipe to your go-to side dish list? I bet you will!
Check out how to roast the broccoli:
- Prep the oven
Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. - Wash the broccoli
Wash and trim the broccoli so the florets are similar in size. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. - Season the veggies
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the broccoli florets and toss to coat the veggies with the seasoning. - Bake to perfection
Spread the broccoli onto the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until the florets are tender and the edges golden brown. - Make it cheesy!
Remove the roasted broccoli from the oven, transfer the cooked broccoli back into the large bowl, and toss it with the grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Keep it Crunchy, not Soggy
We want tasty broccoli, but also crunchy! To keep this and any veggie from getting soggy in the oven, give them enough room. If the baking pan is too crowded, there will be steam, and you can say goodbye to crunchiness. If necessary, divide the broccoli into two baking pans.
Oven temperature also plays its part in preventing sogginess. Make sure it’s preheated and at 400F when you put the broccoli tray in. This way, each piece will roast quickly without getting soggy or drying out.
Tips and Tricks
I know you want the best parmesan roasted broccoli, so follow these easy hacks, and you’ll enjoy an epic dinner!
Oven temperature matters
Make sure the oven has reached 400F when you place the broccoli. Otherwise, this veggie won’t bake quickly and will turn out overcooked and dry.
Roast a complete meal
Baking broccoli with other veggies or protein is totally allowed and solves the what should I make for dinner dilemma real quick. The secret is using the right temperature and cooking time to roast everything perfectly. In this post, you can learn how to bake broccoli with other ingredients at the same time.
Parchment paper saves you time
You can roast broccoli without covering the baking pan with parchment paper, but you’ll probably regret it later. Parchment paper makes clean-up much easier! If you use glass or ceramic baking ware, grease the surface with enough cooking spray or oil, and you can skip the parchment paper.

Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Once cooled, roasted broccoli leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can enjoy them as a side dish, as a healthy snack for dipping hummus, or to build a terrific lunch salad.
To reheat them, place them on a baking sheet and warm them up in the oven at 350 until heated through, or microwave for 1 or 2 minutes. While the microwave is quicker and more convenient, the oven will better keep the crispy texture.
What To Serve with Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
The caramelized flavor makes this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli a perfect side for any protein! You’ll definitely want to serve it with my Creamy Garlic Chicken or this delicious Baked Lemon Herb Chicken Breast recipe.
This Baked Cajun Salmon is another great protein to pair with roasted broccoli for the most nutritious, quick, and tasty weeknight dinner!

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan (Kid-Friendly)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs fresh broccoli, 1-2 crowns, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Wash and trim the broccoli so the florets are similar in size. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the broccoli florets and toss to coat the veggies with the seasoning.
- Spread the broccoli onto the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until the florets are tender and the edges golden brown.
- Remove the roasted broccoli from the oven, transfer the cooked broccoli back into the large bowl, and toss it with the grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
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