Oven-Roasted Smashed Broccoli with Crispy Parmesan and Garlic Butter
You can make this addictive, crispy smashed broccoli side dish in under 30 minutes. It uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful, low carb side that tastes much better than plain roasted broccoli.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 23 min
- Total Time: 33 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large heads of broccoli, cut into medium florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch them for exactly 2 minutes. Immediately drain the broccoli and plunge it into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain the broccoli well and pat it very dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispiness.
- Place the dried broccoli florets onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Use the bottom of a sturdy glass or a meat mallet to gently smash each floret until it is flattened but still holds together. Do not crush it into pieces.
- Drizzle the smashed broccoli evenly with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 15 minutes.
- While the broccoli roasts, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Brush the garlic butter mixture over the smashed broccoli. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the edges of the broccoli are crispy and the Parmesan cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve this easy side dish immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can finish this recipe in an air fryer after the initial roasting step.
- If you want a low carb side dish that tastes like comfort food, this recipe delivers.
- You can substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese if you need a dairy-free option, though the texture will change slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 18