27 Broccoli Recipes That Even Picky Eaters Will Love

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Want a delicious and well-balanced meal? Add broccoli, our ultimate green warrior, to the mix. As kids, our nose would turn up at the mention of this green vegetable. But now, older and wiser, we realize that broccoli adds a flavorful and healthy twist to any dish. Long are the days where we have to smother our florets in cheddar cheese. We'd like our broccoli front and center, right where we can see it and taste it. Learn your broccoli basics like prepping and roasting, then dive into this collection of delicious and nutritious recipes that even picky eaters will love. Our recipes range from main courses to delectable side dishes that just might steal the spotlight. From Broccoli-Sausage Pizza to Broccoli Tots, casseroles, and stir fries, we have all the tasty recipes that showcase our affinity for this green veggie. Cook up these pretty little florets for a healthy accompaniment to any meal.

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy stir fry needs to be on your weeknight rotation. This recipe has just the trick for crispy, but still moist stir fry.

Baked Broccoli Tots

Broccoli Tots are the healthier yet equally delicious version of classic tater tots. The kids will gobble these tots up, no matter how much they claim to dislike broccoli.

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Recipe: Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Cue the nostalgia factor. This creamy soup instantly brings us back to our childhood days. Make a big batch of Broccoli-Cheddar Soup on a chilly day to create the same memories for the young ones in your life.

Lemon-Garlic Butter Shrimp with Broccoli

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Cook up this tasty meal in a pinch by using bagged, precut broccoli florets. The rice soaks up all of the buttery, savory, and citrus flavors while the broccoli is a welcome snap of brightness.

Crispy Chicken-and-Broccoli Salad

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Even the picky-eaters of the group will be lining up for seconds for this Crispy Chicken-and-Broccoli Salad. Throw this dish together in just 15 minutes, serve it up, and watch it magically disappear bite by bite.

Roasted Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Cubes of cheddar cheese are the trick to bursts of gooey flavor throughout this warm, pasta dish. Tender broccoli in mac and cheese is a great way to get in your greens.

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

It's rare that a side dish will be the one on the menu that has guests begging for your recipe, but this one comes in swinging. A friend asked for this slaw recipe after just one bite.

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Photo: Hector Sanchez

"The old-school version of this recipe uses canned soup and often calls for frozen broccoli," says Contributing Editor Virginia Willis. "My new twist is made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. It takes just a smidgen of more time, but the results are absolutely extraordinary."

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick
Jennifer Davick

If you're a broccoli salad fan, you'll love this combination of colorful ingredients. Cook the pasta al dente so it's firm enough to hold its own when tossed with the tangy-sweet salad dressing.

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Iain Bagwell
Iain Bagwell

Cheese-filled tortellini and a chopped pecan topping add extra flavor to this kid-friendly Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake, while broccoli and red bell pepper contribute pops of color throughout this one-dish meal. Add even more fun color by using colored tortellini.

Chubba Bubba's Broccoli Salad

Southern Living
Southern Living

This easy version of broccoli salad features broccoli plus cauliflower and chopped carrot for added color and crispness. It couldn't be easier to prepare this pop of green for the supper table.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Courtney West
Courtney West

This side dish will win over even the most stubborn broccoli-haters. Plus, it's great to make ahead and bring to the potluck.

Broccoli-Parmesan Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

This soup is just what the doctor ordered. It's creamy and comforting but packed with veggies.

Sheet Pan Broccoli-and-Chicken Casserole

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

With the help of a sheet pan, dinner comes together in a snap. We especially love how this dish is like the crunchy top of a casserole, all the way through.

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Bright basil pesto and broccoli partner up in this delightfully green orecchiette pasta dish. Shaved parmesan and toasted walnuts add irresistible flavor, so we'll excuse the color break this time.

Broccoli-Sausage Pizza

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Thanks to this recipe, pizza dinner gets a healthy and hearty boost. It's supper that both parents and kids can agree on.

Breaded Chicken Salad with Grapes, Honey, Almonds, and Broccoli

Hector Manuel Sanchez
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This tossed salad lets fresh ingredients like broccoli and grapes shine though in simply delicious effect. A honey and Dijon mustard vinaigrette brings it all together.

Chicken-and-Broccoli Pasta Bake

Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel
Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

If you're short on time but craving a tall order of comfort, this casserole is for you. It's got everything you could wish for: protein, veggies, pasta, and lots of rich, creamy cheese.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Any old chicken dish could get an enticing flavor boost from buffalo and ranch, but this flavor combo especially shines in our chicken-broccoli casserole recipe. It's chicken wings' richer, greener competition.

Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The easiest way to cure a house full of hungry stomachs is a skillet dinner. You can even serve it family-style right out of the skillet.

Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Ah, yes. Two of our favorite Southern foods: casseroles and pimiento cheese. Mix the two with the delightful addition of some broccoli and you've got a winning dinner on your hands.

Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

Broccoli may not normally be a go-to for breakfast, but this recipe bridges that gap. Savory bread pudding comes together in the slow cooker with Dijon mustard.

Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Elegant loaded casserole is ideal for casual weeknight dinner and impressive enough to hold its own for company. Rich Italian flavors come together easily in just 40 minutes.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Ian Knauer
Ian Knauer

This classic casserole will always satisfy for supper. To enhance this dish's hearty chicken flavor, simmer the leftover chicken bones in your milk.

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Arugula and broccoli build in double greens in this delectable salad that shines for weekday lunch. Some salty Parmesan, a snap of onion, and a slight bite of citrus top it off to perfection.

Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Just because a recipe has broccoli, doesn't make it health-forward. If nutrition is your priority, try this lighter casserole that uses reduced-fat substitutions so it's still creamy and rich.

Broccoli-Spinach Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Antonis Achilleos
Antonis Achilleos

This vibrant and hearty soup was made for those long, cold months. This fresh take on winter soup is as tasty as it is green.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.