Easy Broccoli Recipes - The Plant Based School (2024)

Not only does broccoli bring a burst of color to your plate, but it also packs a nutritional punch. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, broccoli is a powerhouse of health benefits.

In this collection, we’ve harnessed its potential to create dishes that are not only delicious but also nourishing.

Broccolioften gets a bad reputation due to its bland taste and texture. Yet, if cooked properly, you can turn thisnutritional vegetableinto tasty, elegant, andcrowd-pleasing dishes.

Take your pick from these 15 easy and wholesome broccoli dishes that will quickly upgrade your dinner with extra greens.

1. Broccoli pasta

Broccoli pastais a creamy and delicious dish withsix simple ingredientsin about20 minutesfor a quick weeknight dinner.

Eat it as is, or serve it with a fresh green side salad for added crispness to your meal.

2. Roasted broccoli

Roasted broccoliis a tender-crisp side dish of broccoli florets roasted in the oven and seasoned with a tastylemon-garlic dressing.

Sprinkle with shaved almonds, vegan cheese, or parmesan cheese for an extra indulgent side.

3. Broccoli soup

Learn how to make adelicious and creamy broccoli soupthat is tasty and nourishingwithout cheddar or cream.

Top the soup with homemade croutons or roasted chickpeas for a complete and satiating dinner idea.

4. Broccoli frittata

This vegan frittata iscrisp on the outside,soft, and moist on the inside, and for some reason, it feels like eating a regular egg frittata.

Broccoli’s robust texture and earthy flavor make it the perfect addition to frittatas, creating a delicious balance of taste and nutritional richness.

5. Roasted broccoli and cauliflower

Roasted broccoli and caulifloweris a great side dish you can make with almost no effort and a few ingredients for weeknight dinner or the holidays.

Broccoli’s versatile and mild flavor profile and its crisp texture make it the perfect addition to side dishes that match any main dish.

6. Tofu stir fry

Here’s an easy and versatile30-minute tofu stir frywith yourfavorite veggiesand atasty saucethat makes it better than a takeaway.

The crisp texture of broccoli is a perfect complement to a stir-fry, adding a delightful contrast and a nutritional boost to this plant-powered dish.

7. Cauliflower Alfredo with broccoli

Here’s aneasy,creamy,cheesy cauliflower Alfredo sauce; its velvety smooth texture pairs perfectly with chewy fettuccine pasta.

The mild flavor of broccoli pairs well with the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce and adds depth and nutrition to your pasta dish.

8. Tofu soup

This tofu soup is quick, tasty, and straightforward. You canmake it in 30 minutes with simple ingredients and seasonal veggiesany time of the year.

Broccoli and tofu make a perfect match, as the tender-crisp texture of broccoli complements the smoothness of tofu in this soup recipe.

9. Lentil curry with broccoli

Lentil curry with broccoli floretsis aneasy, tasty, and nourishing mealin one pot with simple ingredients in about30 minutes.

Our recipe issimple yet satisfyingand flavorful and pairs perfectly with white rice, cruciferous greens, and Naan bread.

10. Broccoli Aglio e Olio pasta

Garlic and oil pasta is an Italian recipe originating in southern Italy; however, this broccoli variation is extra creamy and has a healthy dose of added greens.

It’s a quick vegetarian dinner idea ready in 15 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

11. Broccoli salad (no bacon)

This broccoli salad is crunchy, creamy,light, and fulfilling in one tasty bowl.

It’s our interpretation of theclassic broccoli salad recipe. We use almonds and sun-dried tomatoes instead of cheddar cheese and bacon bits to make it vegetarian–friendly.

12. Broccoli cauliflower salad

This broccoli cauliflower salad is acrisp and creamy recipethat is a refreshingside dish for a memorable holiday meal, potlucks, and get-togethers.

You’ll love thecombination of textures and flavors. The crispy veggies meet a velvety, smooth, and tangy dressing with mayo and yogurt.

13. Roasted broccoli and carrots

Roasted carrots and broccoli are asimple and delicious side dishyou can serve for any occasion, fromThanksgiving and Holiday mealstoweeknight dinners.

Those two veggies aredelicious togetherbecause the sweetness of roasted carrots balances out broccoli’s slight bitterness.

14. Vegetable curry

Vegetable curry is a cozy, easy, and delicious Indian-inspired recipe packed with vegetables and made in one pot.

You can make it inabout 30 minutesand serve it as a main dish with a bowl ofrice,noodles, orwarm flatbread.

15. Peanut noodles

Peanut noodles are perfect forlunch,dinner, ormeal prep, and they are a delicious way to enjoy a satisfying and healthy dish in no time.

Enjoy this simple and fulfilling dish by tossing your noodles with sauceand chopped veggies(bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli).

TIP: For added vegetarian protein, you can addfried tofu,air fryer tofu,marinated tofu, or tempeh bacon.

Fresh or frozen broccoli?

We recommend usingfresh broccoli. You can use the whole head, including the broccoliflorets,stems, and leaves.

Frozen broccoli works, too; however, in our tests, the recipes turned out a little more watery with frozen broccoli.

Other ways to cook broccoli

Steamed broccoli

Rinse the broccoli and cut it into small pieces. Place the florets in a steaming basket and fill a skillet with water.

Bring the pot to a simmer and steam until the stems are soft. It can take 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the broccoli florets.

To check if they are done, slide a small knife through the stem of the broccoli. If it slides easily, the broccoli is steaming.

Serve steamed broccoli next to your main dish; it pairs well with saucy dishes, such as stir-fries, curries, and stews:

• Orange tofu: sweet and sticky sauce coats perfectly chewy tofu cubes, a great vegetarian dinner idea!
• Chickpea curry with creamy coconut sauce, perfectly paired with greens.
• Braised tofu with a mildly sweet, tangy, and Asian-inspired sauce.
• Chickpea stew with sweet potato and a Middle-Eastern spice mix is an easy one-pot dinner idea.