Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Smashed Broccoli with Parmesan Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 44 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Smashed Broccoli with Parmesan recipe offers a flavorful and textured way to enjoy broccoli. Blanched and then gently smashed before baking with a zesty garlic-infused olive oil and sprinkled generously with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, this dish is a perfect savory side that balances crispness and tenderness with a burst of cheesy, lemony goodness. Finished with optional spicy and tangy toppings, it’s an easy gourmet vegetable recipe to elevate your meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Broccoli

  • 1 head broccoli, washed

Garlic-Infused Oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Zest of one organic lemon
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Toppings and Seasoning

  • 1 heaping cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red Tabasco or Sriracha (optional)
  • Pesto (optional)
  • Lemon wedges or aged balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line or brush a baking sheet to prepare for roasting the broccoli.
  2. Prepare Garlic-Infused Oil: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, salt, mustard powder, lemon zest, and extra-virgin olive oil until well combined. This will infuse the olive oil with bright, savory flavors.
  3. Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Submerge the whole broccoli head for 4-5 minutes until it turns bright green and starts to become tender. Drain thoroughly and let cool slightly.
  4. Prepare for Baking: Brush your prepared baking sheet generously with the garlic-infused olive oil. Break the broccoli into manageable florets and slice the stem into pieces.
  5. Smash the Broccoli: Gently press down on each broccoli floret and stem piece to flatten them slightly, creating more surface area for crisping and flavor absorption.
  6. Season and Bake: Arrange the smashed broccoli pieces on the baking sheet. Brush them with more of the garlic-infused oil, season with salt and pepper, then generously sprinkle the grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese over each piece. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the edges of the broccoli are crisped.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm with optional toppings such as red Tabasco or Sriracha for a spicy kick, pesto for herbaceous richness, and lemon wedges or aged balsamic vinegar for acidity and brightness.

Notes

  • Blanching helps soften the broccoli just enough so smashing it won’t break the florets apart completely.
  • Mustard powder adds a subtle depth of flavor to the garlic oil that complements the cheese well.
  • Squeezing lemon juice just before serving enhances freshness and balances the richness from the cheese and olive oil.
  • This recipe is scalable: simply adjust quantities depending on the number of servings needed.
  • Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for best flavor and optimal melting.
  • Optional toppings allow customizing the dish to your preferred flavor profile, from spicy to tangy or herbal.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://scratchymama.com/smashed-broccoli-with-parmesan-recipe/