Roasted Parmesan Broccoli with Pine Nuts
Want to make the best broccoli recipe? This Roasted Parmesan Broccoli with Pine Nuts is one of our family’s favorites. All you need are six ingredients and about 30 minutes to have this dish on the table. Makes 4 servings.
Love broccoli? Try Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic and Chicken and Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese, too.
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One of my favorite side dishes was broccoli covered in cheese when I was a kid.
We’d put the broccoli in the oven with a little bit of butter, bake it through, then top it with some cheddar cheese.
The goal was for the cheese to melt down and very nearly burn, then the broccoli would come out of the oven and be consumed immediately with whatever else we were eating.
And it was always delicious.
I haven’t had it in years, though I have whipped several a “fancier” cheese sauces throughout my 20’s to make similar renditions of a childhood favorite like this Cheesy Cauliflower Bake.
Why I love this recipe:
When I was brainstorming about dishes to bring to a Christmas Potluck, I thought it would be fun to present y’all a dish similar to that one from my childhood because I have such fond memories of it.
And this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli fits the bill perfectly.
The cheese melts over the broccoli as it cooks, crisping and adding flavor, and the pine nuts add a certain je ne sais quoi to the already delightful dish.
Also, this easy roasted broccoli doesn’t require much prep time.
The cook time is minimal, too, so it would be a great dish to bring on the road because you can roast it at your home and then warm it there.
More side dishes that are great for the holidays or along with dinner: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes | Honey Roasted Carrots | Vegan Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts | Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Casserole | Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries
Looking for more holiday dishes to make? Check out my Thanksgiving Recipe Index for more ideas.
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Sharp knife
- Rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish
- Microplane or box grater
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you need:
- Broccoli—you’ll want fresh broccoli florets. I have not tried using frozen broccoli with this recipe.
- Extra virgin olive oil—or another neutral oil, like avocado oil. The broccoli is tossed in this.
- Pine nuts—you want them to be raw because they will toast up in the oven as the rest of the dish roasts
- Parmesan—purchase a block of cheese to grate yourself instead of getting the shelf-stable kind from the store. The flavor will be better!
- Salt and pepper—I like to use a medium grain kosher salt and to grind my own black pepper.
How to make Parmesan Broccoli with Pine Nuts
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Place on a small rimmed sheet pan or a baking dish.
Toss the broccoli with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and pine nuts on top of the broccoli florets.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is browned and the broccoli is crisp tender.
Enjoy these roasted vegetables warm!
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding parmesan to broccoli adds some cheesiness and saltiness, which is awesome. The pine nuts toast as the broccoli roasts and adds a depth of flavor, too.
That depends on you and your tastebuds! We really like what the parmesan adds to the broccoli.
You can and it will cut down on the roasting time, but I didn’t blanch this broccoli before making this recipe, and it was still done in a reasonable amount of time.
Both work well, but we’re not doing either in this broccoli recipe! Instead, we’re roasting the broccoli in the oven.
Quick tips and tricks for the best Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Prep it ahead of time. Get that broccoli cleaned and chopped days in advance, and keep it in the fridge until it’s cooking time.
- Double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- How to store leftovers: Let cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to a week and reheat in the microwave.
More Christmas potluck ideas:
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots with Cider
- Creamed Cornbread Casserole
- Roasted Green Beans
- Winter Vegetable Hash
Here’s how you can make it:
Parmesan Broccoli with Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 1 lb. broccoli chopped and stemmed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Chop the broccoli and place on a small rimmed sheet pan or a baking dish.
- Toss the broccoli with the oil, then season with salt and pepper.
- Top with the pine nuts and parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes (or until the topping is browned and crispy.)
- Enjoy warm!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
I love a no fuss side dish, especially when it’s covered in cheese, mmmm cheese.
You and me both, Kelly! And you kind of can’t beat anything covered in cheese…
Ooh, hooray for holiday veg! Hearty greens with nuts and cheese are always such a great combination. 🙂
Yes! Hooray for veggies around the holidays! Thanks for stopping by!
I love this recipe!!! It’s such a delicious and hands off recipe – a perfect side dish for week day meals!!