Active Time:25 minsTotal Time:25 minsServings:6Jump to Nutrition Facts
Active Time:25 minsTotal Time:25 minsServings:6
Active Time:25 mins
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:25 mins
Total Time:
Servings:6
Servings:
6
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipeIf you’re on the fence with broccoli, you must try thisCrispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan. Antioxidant-rich broccoli becomes fork-tender before being smashed and simply seasoned with salt, pepper and earthy Parmesan cheese. Then everything goes under the broiler, giving the broccoli and Parm a light, crispiness around its edges. A drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze perfectly finishes the broccoli off. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to cut down on kitchen time.Tips from the EatingWell Test KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!Using packaged fresh broccoli florets will save you time. Most come in 12-ounce bags, so you’ll have to buy a couple of bags and plan to use the leftovers in another way. You can use frozen broccoli, but make sure it is thawed and dry before you use it.For the best flavor, seek out longer-aged Parmesan. You can choose Parmigiano-Reggiano, the king of Parm cheeses—aged the longest—or use a regular Parm in block form. It’s aged longer than the pre-grated.If you are avoiding Parmesan cheese because it’s made with rennet, swap it for vegetarian cheese. You can find one in the refrigerated cheese section of your local grocery store.You can season smashed broccoli with your favorite seasonings, and if you like hot foods, you can enhance it with red chile pepper flakes or add a drizzle of hot sauce.Nutrition NotesBroccoliis loaded with powerful plant compounds that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, strengthen your immune system and bones, and enhance your skin health. The fiber in broccoli feeds your gut’s beneficial bacteria, helping to build a healthy microbiome.Parmesan cheeseadds a tiny bit of protein and calcium to the broccoli (only a tiny bit because there’s not much Parm in this recipe). Parmesan is one of the saltier cheeses so if your body is super sensitive to sodium, you could swap the Parm out for alower-sodium cheese, such as Swiss—or leave the salt out of this dish. If you follow a vegetarian eating pattern, you might want to use aParmesan cheese made with vegetable rennet, since most Parm is made with animal rennet.Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Jump to recipe
If you’re on the fence with broccoli, you must try thisCrispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan. Antioxidant-rich broccoli becomes fork-tender before being smashed and simply seasoned with salt, pepper and earthy Parmesan cheese. Then everything goes under the broiler, giving the broccoli and Parm a light, crispiness around its edges. A drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze perfectly finishes the broccoli off. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to cut down on kitchen time.Tips from the EatingWell Test KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!Using packaged fresh broccoli florets will save you time. Most come in 12-ounce bags, so you’ll have to buy a couple of bags and plan to use the leftovers in another way. You can use frozen broccoli, but make sure it is thawed and dry before you use it.For the best flavor, seek out longer-aged Parmesan. You can choose Parmigiano-Reggiano, the king of Parm cheeses—aged the longest—or use a regular Parm in block form. It’s aged longer than the pre-grated.If you are avoiding Parmesan cheese because it’s made with rennet, swap it for vegetarian cheese. You can find one in the refrigerated cheese section of your local grocery store.You can season smashed broccoli with your favorite seasonings, and if you like hot foods, you can enhance it with red chile pepper flakes or add a drizzle of hot sauce.Nutrition NotesBroccoliis loaded with powerful plant compounds that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, strengthen your immune system and bones, and enhance your skin health. The fiber in broccoli feeds your gut’s beneficial bacteria, helping to build a healthy microbiome.Parmesan cheeseadds a tiny bit of protein and calcium to the broccoli (only a tiny bit because there’s not much Parm in this recipe). Parmesan is one of the saltier cheeses so if your body is super sensitive to sodium, you could swap the Parm out for alower-sodium cheese, such as Swiss—or leave the salt out of this dish. If you follow a vegetarian eating pattern, you might want to use aParmesan cheese made with vegetable rennet, since most Parm is made with animal rennet.Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
If you’re on the fence with broccoli, you must try thisCrispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan. Antioxidant-rich broccoli becomes fork-tender before being smashed and simply seasoned with salt, pepper and earthy Parmesan cheese. Then everything goes under the broiler, giving the broccoli and Parm a light, crispiness around its edges. A drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze perfectly finishes the broccoli off. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to cut down on kitchen time.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients8cupsbite-size broccoli florets (about 1 pound)2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil¼teaspoonsalt¼teaspoonground pepper¼cupgrated Parmesan cheese1tablespoonbalsamic glaze (see Tip)
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
8cupsbite-size broccoli florets (about 1 pound)
2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
¼teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonground pepper
¼cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1tablespoonbalsamic glaze (see Tip)
Directions
Position oven rack 6 inches from broiler. Preheat broiler to high.
Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Steam broccoli until just tender, about 3 minutes.
Spread broccoli on a large rimmed baking sheet. Using the bottom of a Mason jar or sturdy glass, flatten each floret. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Evenly distribute Parmesan over the florets. Broil until the broccoli is lightly browned and the cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Equipment
Large pot, steamer basket, large rimmed baking sheet, Mason jar or sturdy glass
Frequently Asked Questions
With this method, vegetables are parcooked, then smashed and roasted or broiled until crispy. For this recipe, broccoli florets are steamed until tender, smashed with the bottom of a Mason jar or a sturdy glass and broiled until browned. You can also use a meat mallet but smash it lightly—you don’t want to pulverize the broccoli.
If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 4 days. For the crispiest results, heat leftovers in the air fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes; on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-high heat or in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Heat leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl for the quickest method (but without the desired crispiness). Cover it with microwave-safe plastic wrap with holes poked for venting, and heat on medium-high heat (70% power) for about 1 to 2 minutes.
You can serve smashed broccoli as a side dish with meat or fish, like ourBaked Lemon-Pepper Chicken, orLemon-Garlic Grilled Cod. Or you can set them out with other trays ofappetizersduring a cocktail hour with friends.
Absolutely. This recipe is perfect with Brussels sprouts. We have recipes for other smashed vegetables, too, such asGarlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes,Smashed Sweet Potatoes, andSmashed Butternut Squash with Harissa & Goat Cheese.
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2021
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)79Calories6gFat5gCarbs3gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
Jan Valdez,
Linda Frahm,
andCarrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers, M.S.
