This cheesy roasted broccoli recipe is the thing of side dish dreams! Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, it’s perfect to serve as part of your Thanksgiving or holiday meal, and quick enough to be part of a weeknight dinner.

Cheesy Roasted Broccoli on a sheet pan

When it comes to the holidays I’m all about sides, and the crispier and cheesier the better! This broccoli is one of my familys favorites, and I thought it was about time I shared it with you!

How to Make This Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe

  • Heat oven to 450°F and set a large, rimmed sheet pan on the middle rack in the oven (while the oven heats).
  • While the oven preheats, bring a large pot of water and 1-teaspoon salt to boil.
  • While the water heats, rinse and cut the broccoli into florets (they should all be about the same size).
  • Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water, and set it next to the stove.
  • When the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets, and set the heat to medium-low. Boil the broccoli for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, use a slotted spoon to submerge the broccoli in the ice water to cool for 2 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate to dry and pat dry with another paper towel.
  • In a large bowl, mix together broccoli, olive oil, 1-teaspoon salt and black pepper.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, panko crumbs, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
  • Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the broccoli mixture evenly over the pan.
  • Set the oven to broil and return the pan with the broccoli to the middle rack of the oven.
  • Broil the broccoli 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, and
  • sprinkle the breadcrumb/cheese mixture evenly over the top of the broccoli.
  • Return the broccoli to the oven and broil another 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is fork-tender and the cheese has melted and is crispy around the edges. Watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn. (**Note: If the cheese is browning too quickly, remove the broccoli from the oven and turn off the broiler. After 1 minute, return the broccoli to the oven and let it finish cooking with residual heat.)
  • Serve immediately and…
  • Enjoy!

A spoon on a sheet pan of the side dish

Close up of the cooked broccoli

How do you make broccoli crispy?

This oven roasted cheesy broccoli is so perfectly crispy, and there’s a few key tips to making this happen:

  • Panko breadcrumbs and these are a must ingredient in this recipe, fine breadcrumbs aren’t a great substitute. They really add a great texture to the broccoli.
  • Before roasting, the broccoli is very slightly boiled and placed in cold water (this helps it to keep its vibrant green color), it’s important to remove any excess water with paper towels, this will help keep it crispy too.
  • Don’t over crowd the roasting sheet either or this can create steam and result in the broccoli not getting crispy.

What do you serve with cheesy roasted broccoli?

This broccoli is perfect as a side for your Thanksgiving or holiday table, but it will also work well with fish, beef and chicken dishes. Try it with:

Cheesy Roasted Broccoli ready to serve

Cheesy Roasted Broccoli on a covered baking sheet

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan

The broccoli is roasted with two types of cheese, cheddar and parmesan. The cheddar melts wonderfully across the broccoli and the parmesan adds a really nutty and cheesy flavor to the whole dish. Cheesy roasted broccoli is decadent, full of flavor and amazingly delicious! 

Can you use frozen broccoli to roast?

It’s best not to use frozen broccoli in this recipe, fresh is definitely best in this case. If you are in a pinch though, you can use frozen in the place of fresh.

The finished vegetable side dish

Top Tips to Make This Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe

  • Be sure to place the broccoli in ice water after boiling it, this will help it to stop cooking and retain it’s color.
  • It’s best to use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-grated.
  • Cook the side dish in a pre heated oven and serve immediately.
  • Keep an eye when broiling that the cheese doesn’t burn.

Close up of a floret of Cheesy Roasted Broccoli

For more easy vegetable side dishes:

Recipe Card

Crispy Cheesy Roasted Broccoli Recipe

4.79 from 51 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin
crispy cheesy roasted broccoli on a pan
This cheesy roasted broccoli recipe is the thing of side dish dreams! Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, it's perfect to serve as part of your Thanksgiving or holiday meal, and quick enough to be part of a weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 head broccoli cut into florets with 1-inch stems attached
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions 

  • Heat oven to 450°F and set a large, rimmed sheet pan on the middle rack in the oven (while the oven heats).
  • While the oven preheats, bring a large pot of water and 1-teaspoon salt to boil.
  • While the water heats, rinse and cut the broccoli into florets (they should all be about the same size).
  • Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water, and set it next to the stove.
  • When the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets, and set the heat to medium-low. Boil the broccoli for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, use a slotted spoon to submerge the broccoli in the ice water to cool for 2 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate to dry and pat dry with another paper towel.
  • In a large bowl, mix together broccoli, olive oil, 1-teaspoon salt and black pepper.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, panko crumbs, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
  • Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the broccoli mixture evenly over the pan.
  • Set the oven to broil and return the pan with the broccoli to the middle rack of the oven.
  • Broil the broccoli 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, and
  • sprinkle the breadcrumb/cheese mixture evenly over the top of the broccoli.
  • Return the broccoli to the oven and broil another 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is fork-tender and the cheese has melted and is crispy around the edges. Watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn. (**Note: If the cheese is browning too quickly, remove the broccoli from the oven and turn off the broiler. After 1 minute, return the broccoli to the oven and let it finish cooking with residual heat.)
  • Serve immediately and…
  • Enjoy!

Video

Calories: 325.09kcalCarbohydrates: 14.5gProtein: 14.49gFat: 24.67gSaturated Fat: 11.73gCholesterol: 50.21mgSodium: 1522.48mgPotassium: 517.8mgFiber: 4.24gSugar: 3.11gVitamin A: 1477.55IUVitamin C: 135.59mgCalcium: 353.59mgIron: 1.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.79 from 51 votes (45 ratings without comment)
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18 Comments
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Donna
Donna
August 28, 2024 9:23 am

This looks yummy and just the type of broccoli recipe I’ve been searching for! Just wondering, could the first step of parboiling the broccoli be done in advance and refrigerated?

Samantha Marceau
August 28, 2024 3:16 pm
Reply to  Donna

Hi Donna, you can parboil the broccoli in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.

Amina nakhuda
Amina nakhuda
October 27, 2023 12:07 pm

Turned out absolutely amazing added more chilli flakes n didnt broil it but just layered it on a sheet on 350 for 5 mins then before serving broiled it !!!! Tasted delicious n everyone loved it !!!😍5 stars

Samantha Marceau
October 27, 2023 1:37 pm
Reply to  Amina nakhuda

So happy to hear it was a hit, Amina!

Jenny
Jenny
July 29, 2023 1:04 pm

I really enjoyed this! I just had it last night for the first time last night and it turned out SO well. The only thing I was wondering, is if you could mix the broccoli with half of the panko mix for the first 4 mins, and then top the dish with the rest of the panko mix for the last 3-5 mins of broiling? The reason I ask is it was very yummy, but we both ate most of the top layer because it had the cheesy mix lol So could you mix the broccoli with some and then add the rest on top? Thank you!!!

Samantha Marceau
July 31, 2023 9:10 am
Reply to  Jenny

We think it could work!

Krista
Krista
March 26, 2020 9:19 pm

Holy crap this dish is incredible!! I was craving cheesy bread but didn’t want to totally give in. This completely filled the craving with the crunchy cheese bits. I will 1000% make this again!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 29, 2020 4:30 pm
Reply to  Krista

I’m happy I could help!! SO glad you loved it!!!

April
April
November 13, 2019 11:34 am

Yum!! This would be soooo good on a baked potato.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 17, 2019 7:07 pm
Reply to  April

That sounds delicious!!

Kristyn
Kristyn
November 13, 2019 11:14 am

This is one of my favorite ways to prepare broccoli!! Love the cheesiness!!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 26, 2019 8:16 pm
Reply to  Kristyn

Thanks Kristyn! That’s one of my favorite parts too!

Trang
Trang
November 13, 2019 10:53 am

I love your idea of topping it with panko! I’ve always made a version of this for Thanksgiving but this is wayyyy better.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 26, 2019 8:18 pm
Reply to  Trang

Let me know what you think of it once you try it!

Stephanie
Stephanie
November 13, 2019 10:37 am

Roasted broccoli is the best! Throw on that layer of cheese and it’s irresistible. Great recipe!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 26, 2019 8:18 pm
Reply to  Stephanie

Thank you, Stephanie!!

Kimberly
Kimberly
November 13, 2019 10:36 am

There’s no better way to enjoy broccoli than crispy and cheesy, SO good!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 26, 2019 8:19 pm
Reply to  Kimberly

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Kimberly!!