Broccoli Dinner Recipes

Depending on who you ask, eating broccoli might not always be the most exciting thing in the world. With these broccoli dinner recipes, however, that might be a different story. They’re the full package—nutritious, easy, budget-friendly, and utterly delicious. No matter how hectic life gets, you won’t have any problem putting together a few dishes for the whole family to enjoy.

Why You Should Try These Broccoli Dinner Recipes

• Loaded With Great Nutrients

With broccoli as the main ingredient, there's no doubt what a nutrition powerhouse these dishes are. This cruciferous vegetable is known for its incredibly high vitamin C content, along with other essential nutrients like fiber, antioxidants (lutein and beta carotene), and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.). This gives it several potential health benefits such as promoting gut health, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving eyesight.

• Quick and Simple

These recipes were made to be as simple as possible. Most of the ingredients come straight from the pantry, require minimum preparations, and can usually be cooked in one go. All you’ll need is about half an hour and a little bit of effort to put together a full dish filled with gorgeous flavors and textures.

• Easy to Customize

Broccoli has an earthy and grassy taste that’s neither overwhelming nor bland, making it an unexpectedly great match for a wide variety of foods. With these adaptable recipes, you’ll be able to freely adjust the ingredients and get as experimental as you like.

Check Out These Broccoli Dinner Recipes

1. Broccoli Pasta

A simple, one-skillet concoction of pasta and broccoli simmering in a creamy sauce, this dish is your gateway to a quick, easy, nutritious, and flavorful dinner. Feel free to sprinkle in anything else you like—protein, nuts, legumes, veggies, and more—to customize it to your liking. There's nothing complicated about it, but when you're in the mood for something simple, this is the dish to go for.

2. Air Fryer Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This is not your typical casserole, but that's all the more reason to try it. Rice, broccoli, and chicken are simmered in a cream sauce then coated in cheese and air-fried to perfection. Ladden with warmth and flavors, every forkful brings you nothing but joy and comfort.

3. Chicken Couscous

If rice, noodles, pasta, or bread have gotten too repetitive, consider a switch to couscous for something different and fun. Our recipe brings you air-fried chicken, broccoli, and carrots laid over a fluffy bed of couscous. It's as simple as can be yet still refreshingly exciting.

4. Stir-fried Chicken and Broccoli

When it comes to quick, easy, and flavorful dinners, it's hard to go wrong with stir-fries. This recipe pairs broccoli with chicken and mushrooms, seamlessly tying everything together with a sweet-savory sauce. A side of white rice is all that's needed left to complete this dish. Easy, simple, filling, and still loaded with marvelous flavors, this is a no-brainer main course for any casual dinner.

5. Air Fryer Mongolian Chicken

With this recipe, broccoli serves as a side to air-fried Mongolian chicken. Coated in a sweet and savory soy glaze, the chicken is both tender and flavorful. The earthy broccoli diversifies the profile and makes the eating experience even better. Made up of rustic, simple elements, this dish somehow still holds an irresistible allure that elevates any casual dinner.

6. Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan is a classic, New York-based casserole dish that typically consists of chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce. A layer of breadcrumbs is sprinkled on top, giving the dish a tumultuous and exciting myriad of textures. Warm from the oven, it's a savory, creamy dream come true for anyone who loves good food.

7. Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

From takeout restaurants to home kitchens, a plate of stir-fried chicken and vegetables never fails to steal the show. With this recipe, we gather chicken, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers then drench them in the magical teriyaki sauce. A quick stir-fry is all it takes to bring everything to life.

8. Roasted Broccoli

When in doubt, go for roasted vegetables. Easy, hands-off, and nutritious while still packed with gorgeous flavors, they're the foolproof answer to all your incomplete meals. With this recipe, the broccoli is joined by red onion, squash, and carrots. Together, they make a colorful dance of sweet, earthy notes, tumbling with joy and delight on your taste buds.

9. Mongolian Shrimp

Biting into these Mongolian shrimp always feels like fireworks exploding on your palate. The sauce lends its spicy, sweet goodness to anything it touches, from the juicy shrimp to tender-crispy, earthy broccoli. A spectacular dinner has never been easier with this recipe in your back pocket!

10. Parmesan-Crusted Sea Bass

Fine dining and homemade comfort roll into one with this parmesan-crusted sea bass recipe. The tender, flaky fish is coated in crispy breadcrumbs and joined by a colorful side of broccoli, butternut squash, and potatoes. Have a plate on the table and elevate your dinner experience in an instant.

What Does Broccoli Go Well With?

It may not seem like it, but broccoli is surprisingly versatile. Here are a few foods that you can pair it with:

• Vegetables

Broccoli’s earthy taste pairs excellently with vibrant flavors like carrots, red onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, or squash. These combinations work great for all kinds of dishes, from salad and roasted veggies to stir-fries and pasta.

• Herbs & Spices

When it comes to herbs, common ones like coriander, dill, parsley, thyme, and basil do a great job of giving broccoli a subtle aromatic undertone. As for spices, we recommend a simple salt and pepper combo if you only want to enhance the veggie’s natural flavors or cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, etc. for a more intense kick.

• Other Ingredients

A sprinkle of parmesan or a melted layer of cheddar will instantly make broccoli much more delicious and easier to eat. For a delightful crunch and some nutty sweetness, consider adding some pistachio, almonds, cashews, or macadamia to your dish. You’ll also find dried cranberries in a lot of salad recipes, mellowing out the broccoli’s vibrant earthy taste with its sweet-tart goodness.

You can also pair broccoli with proteins like chicken, bacon, shrimp, or even salmon for a main dish filled with great nutrients and diverse flavors.

What Are Some Ways to Cook Broccoli for Dinner?

For a quick and easy dish that still tastes marvelous, try cooking broccoli in some of the following ways:

• Roasting

Roasting broccoli in the oven is an effortless way to make it irresistible. The florets become tender-crisp with slightly charred edges. Flavor-wise, its natural taste becomes much sweeter while the seasonings give it a few extra vibrant notes. You can easily whip up a quick dish to eat as a side to savory mains, or a light snack to enjoy between meals.

• Sautéing and Stir-frying

These cooking methods will give you quick, adaptable, and flavorful broccoli dishes in less than 15 minutes. Simply toss the veggie into a pan with a few Asian condiments, other vegetables, and aromatics. Serve it with white rice or egg noodles for a homemade dish that trumps all the ones at takeout restaurants.

• Blanching

Blanching is a cooking method that involves briefly submerging vegetables in boiling water then removing and dropping them into a bowl of ice water. This will help to subdue the broccoli’s bitter undertones while also keeping its green exterior bright and vibrant.

FAQ

Is broccoli good for weight loss?

Yes, it is. This cruciferous vegetable is a good source of dietary fiber, which keeps you full for a long period of time and effectively curbs hunger. Plus, it’s also quite low in calories and high in water—which is essential for a good metabolism system that helps burn calories quicker.

Can you eat broccoli raw?

While it’s more common to cook broccoli, it’s also perfectly okay to eat raw. The vegetable’s naturally earthy and mildly bitter undertones will be more pronounced—suitable for salads and vegetable dips. Just make sure you thoroughly wash it to completely remove any dirt or contamination.