Smashed Broccoli with Cheese: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Broccoli, often relegated to the sidelines as a humble vegetable, can be transformed into a star dish with a little creativity. This recipe for Smashed Broccoli with Cheese elevates the simple cruciferous vegetable into a flavorful and texturally exciting experience. Think crispy, caramelized edges, tender florets, and a gooey, cheesy blanket that will have even broccoli skeptics asking for seconds. This dish is incredibly versatile; it works as a side dish, a vegetarian main course, or even a delightful appetizer. It’s also remarkably easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to enjoy broccoli!
Why Smashed Broccoli?
So, why smash broccoli instead of just roasting or steaming it? The key lies in maximizing surface area. Smashed broccoli offers several advantages:
* **Increased Caramelization:** By flattening the florets, you expose more of the broccoli to the heat of the pan or oven. This leads to more browning and caramelization, which translates to richer, sweeter, and more complex flavors.
* **Crispy Edges:** The flattened shape encourages the edges to become delightfully crispy, providing a satisfying textural contrast to the tender interior.
* **Better Cheese Coverage:** Smashed broccoli provides a larger, more even surface for cheese to melt and spread, ensuring that every bite is cheesy and delicious.
* **Faster Cooking Time:** Smashed broccoli tends to cook faster than whole florets, saving you precious time in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry:
* **1 large head of broccoli:** Choose a head of broccoli that is firm, heavy for its size, and has tightly closed florets. Avoid broccoli with yellowing or wilting florets.
* **2-3 tablespoons olive oil:** Olive oil is essential for creating crispy edges and adding flavor. You can also use avocado oil or another high-heat cooking oil.
* **1/2 teaspoon garlic powder:** Garlic powder adds a savory depth to the dish.
* **1/4 teaspoon onion powder:** Onion powder complements the garlic powder and adds another layer of flavor.
* **Salt and pepper to taste:** Seasoning is crucial for bringing out the natural flavors of the broccoli.
* **1 cup shredded cheese:** We recommend a combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese for a classic cheesy flavor and good melting properties. You can also experiment with other cheeses, such as Gruyere, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack.
* **Optional toppings:** Red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, chopped fresh parsley or chives for a fresh herb garnish, a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Large pot or steamer:** For steaming the broccoli.
* **Baking sheet:** For roasting the smashed broccoli.
* **Parchment paper or silicone baking mat:** To prevent the broccoli from sticking to the baking sheet.
* **Potato masher or flat-bottomed glass:** For smashing the broccoli.
* **Large bowl:** For tossing the broccoli with oil and seasonings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create perfectly smashed broccoli with cheese:
**Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli**
* Wash the broccoli thoroughly under cold running water. Remove any leaves and trim the tough end of the stalk. Cut the broccoli into florets, ensuring they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
**Step 2: Steam or Boil the Broccoli**
* **Steaming:** Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp. You should be able to easily pierce the florets with a fork, but they should still retain some firmness.
* **Boiling:** Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Drain the broccoli immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
**Step 3: Dry the Broccoli**
* This step is crucial for achieving crispy edges. After steaming or boiling, spread the broccoli florets on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and gently pat them dry. You can also use a salad spinner to remove excess water.
**Step 4: Toss with Oil and Seasonings**
* In a large bowl, combine the dried broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well to ensure that the broccoli is evenly coated.
**Step 5: Smash the Broccoli**
* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
* Arrange the broccoli florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Use a potato masher or a flat-bottomed glass to gently smash each floret. You don’t need to completely flatten them; just apply enough pressure to crack them open and increase the surface area.
**Step 6: Add the Cheese**
* Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the smashed broccoli. Make sure each floret gets a generous amount of cheese.
**Step 7: Bake the Broccoli**
* Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown, and the broccoli is tender and crispy around the edges. Keep a close eye on it to prevent the cheese from burning.
**Step 8: Garnish and Serve**
* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the broccoli cool slightly before serving. Garnish with red pepper flakes (if using), chopped fresh parsley or chives, and a squeeze of lemon juice (if desired). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Smashed Broccoli with Cheese
* **Don’t overcook the broccoli:** Overcooked broccoli will become mushy and won’t crisp up properly. Aim for tender-crisp.
* **Dry the broccoli thoroughly:** Excess moisture will prevent the broccoli from browning and crisping.
* **Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet:** Overcrowding will steam the broccoli instead of roasting it. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
* **Adjust the cooking time based on your oven:** Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the broccoli and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Use high-quality cheese:** The better the cheese, the better the flavor of the dish. Choose a cheese that melts well and has a good flavor.
* **Experiment with different seasonings:** Get creative with your seasonings! Try adding smoked paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning, or your favorite herb blend.
* **Add some heat:** A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a pleasant kick to the dish.
* **Make it vegan:** Use vegan cheese and plant-based butter (instead of olive oil) to make this recipe vegan.
Variations and Add-ins
This recipe is a great starting point for experimentation. Here are a few variations and add-ins to try:
* **Bacon:** Add crumbled cooked bacon to the broccoli before baking for a smoky and savory flavor.
* **Sun-dried tomatoes:** Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.
* **Mushrooms:** Add sliced mushrooms to the broccoli before baking for an earthy flavor.
* **Onions:** Add sliced onions to the broccoli before baking for a sweet and savory flavor.
* **Everything bagel seasoning:** Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the broccoli before baking for a savory and flavorful crust.
* **Parmesan cheese:** Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the broccoli before baking for a salty and umami flavor.
* **Lemon zest:** Add lemon zest to the broccoli before baking for a bright and citrusy flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Smashed broccoli with cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways:
* **Side dish:** Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, steak, fish, or pork.
* **Vegetarian main course:** Serve it as a vegetarian main course with a side salad or quinoa.
* **Appetizer:** Serve it as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
* **Pizza topping:** Use it as a topping for homemade pizza.
* **Taco filling:** Use it as a filling for tacos.
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Besides being delicious, broccoli is also packed with nutrients and offers numerous health benefits:
* **Rich in vitamins and minerals:** Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, and potassium.
* **High in fiber:** Broccoli is a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety.
* **Contains antioxidants:** Broccoli contains antioxidants that help protect the body against damage from free radicals.
* **May help prevent cancer:** Studies have shown that broccoli may help prevent certain types of cancer.
* **May improve heart health:** Broccoli may help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
Making it Ahead
You can prepare the broccoli ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Steam or boil the broccoli, dry it thoroughly, and toss it with oil and seasonings. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, smash the broccoli, add the cheese, and bake as directed.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover smashed broccoli with cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Recipe Card
**Smashed Broccoli with Cheese**
**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
* 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 cup shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese blend
* Optional toppings: red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley or chives, lemon juice
**Equipment:**
* Large pot or steamer
* Baking sheet
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
* Potato masher or flat-bottomed glass
* Large bowl
**Instructions**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Steam or boil broccoli florets until tender-crisp (5-7 minutes steaming, 3-5 minutes boiling). Drain well and pat dry.
3. In a bowl, toss broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange broccoli on the baking sheet in a single layer. Smash each floret gently with a potato masher or glass.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the smashed broccoli.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown, and broccoli is tender and crispy.
7. Garnish with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Enjoy this simple yet delicious way to enjoy broccoli! It’s a family-friendly recipe that’s sure to become a new favorite.