13 Broccoli Recipes That Make You Want to Eat Your Veg

From stir-fry and salad to creamy soups and galette, we're paying tribute to this versatile and beloved brassica.

In the vegetable kingdom, broccoli rules—just ask anyone perusing the produce aisles. I, for one, invariably toss a head (or two) into my basket every time I grocery shop regardless of whether or not I know what I'm going to do with it. It's so versatile that intention doesn't matter all that much. I know I can use it in stir-fries, add it to pasta, puree it into soup, or top a pizza. Heck, I even chop it into bits and add it to my dog Violet's homemade dog food. Eating broccoli is never a problem. Cooking broccoli the right way to retain all its healthy benefits and make the most of its natural deliciousness is another thing.

We've discovered that roasting broccoli is one of the best ways to intensify its sweetness and layer on flavor. And while broccoli is often sold by the "crown" (implying some sort of royal vegetable lineage), there are also ways to make every part of the brassica shine. From crave-worthy broccoli and beef stir-fry and caramelized broccoli-topped pizza to rival your favorite takeout to nostalgic broccoli cheddar soup and comforting baked potato smothered in vegan nacho cheese and loaded with broccoli, we've got all brassica fronts covered in these broccoli recipes below.

Easy Roasted Broccoli

A 500°F oven and foil-lined pan that's ripping hot before the florets are added = perfectly sweet and nutty broccoli. Not a mushy, sulfurous-smelling floret in sight!

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Charred Broccoli With Manchego, Hazelnuts, and Honey

Caramelized roasted florets finished with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts, and a blanket of shaved Manchego is our grown-up version of broccoli and cheese.

Get Recipe: Charred Broccoli With Manchego, Hazelnuts, and Honey

Charred Broccoli With Taleggio Cheese Sauce and Gremolata

How do you turn broccoli into a main dish? Slice it up and char it like steak, dress it with a punchy gremolata made with the stems and scraps, then serve it with a creamy smooth Taleggio sauce. Done!

Get Recipe: Charred Broccoli With Taleggio Cheese Sauce and Gremolata

Orecchiette With Broccoli and Toasted Hazelnuts

This pasta dish comes together quickly and makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Searing some of the broccoli here adds smoky and bittersweet notes, contrasting nicely with the creamy cooked-down broccoli sauce infused with earthy turmeric and crunchy toasted hazelnuts.

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Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli With Oyster Sauce

One could argue there is no Chinese-American takeout without beef and broccoli, possibly one of the most ordered items on the menu. When done right—that is, stir-fried on scorching high heat—the marinated beef is tender and the florets are slightly charred, crisp, and bright green.

Get Recipe: Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli With Oyster Sauce

Broccoli Salad With Radicchio, Basil, and Pistachios

Every part of the brassica is used in this salad, and the key to its success lies in how each part is treated: the florets are lightly blanched and the raw stems are peeled and cut into thin strips. Tossed with radicchio and a bold basil-pistachio vinaigrette, it's a veritable celebration of broccoli.

Get Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Radicchio, Basil, and Pistachios

Vegan Cheesy Baked Potatoes With Broccoli

For the best baked potatoes, start them off in foil for the first 30 minutes, which speeds up cooking time but still allows the skins to crisp. Then all you have to do is cut them open and fill them with a luscious vegan nacho sauce loaded with broccoli that's as flavorful and satisfying as real cheese.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

Here, adding the broccoli in stages builds layers of flavor and texture in this creamy, filling version of broccoli cheddar soup.

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Broccoli and Cheese Galette

Okay, who wouldn't want their veggies enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce and wrapped in a golden, flaky crust? Here, a free-form pie crust and Mornay sauce (the secret sauce in traditional mac and cheese) provide a delightfully decadent vehicle for broccoli.

Get Recipe: Broccoli and Cheese Galette

Caramelized Broccoli and Red Onion Pizza

We all know brassicas are delicious on top of pies. To make them taste even better, break the broccoli up into smaller pieces so they char faster, then pair them with thinly sliced red onion and red pepper flakes to play off the sweetness of the caramelized broccoli.

Get Recipe: Caramelized Broccoli and Red Onion Pizza

Creamy Roasted-Broccoli Soup With Buttermilk and Spiced Pepitas

Roasting instead of blanching the broccoli is what gives this creamy, dreamy soup its fall vibes. A splash of buttermilk adds brightness, while a garnish of spiced roasted pepitas plays off the roasted broccoli flavor.

Get Recipe: Creamy Roasted-Broccoli Soup With Buttermilk and Spiced Pepitas

Spanish Tortilla with Broccoli, Chorizo, and Onion

This is a case where the riff on a classic might prove to be as good, if not better, than the original. The cooking method here is nearly identical to the traditional potato-based Spanish omelette, but with a great advantage: Broccoli is easier to prep than potatoes, which need to be peeled and thinly sliced.

Get Recipe: Spanish Tortilla with Broccoli, Chorizo, and Onion

Charred Broccoli Salad With Sardines, Pickled Shallot, and Mint

Smoky, charred broccoli florets simply paired with fat chunks of canned sardines, quick-pickled shallots, and fresh mint make for a light, yet satisfying meal on a warm lazy summer day when minimal cooking is most appreciated.

Get Recipe: Charred Broccoli Salad With Sardines, Pickled Shallot, and Mint

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