Go Back
–+ servings
square image of oven roasted broccoli in a plate
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Cheesy Baked Broccoli (Easy Oven Broccoli Recipe)

Cheesy baked broccoli made with olive oil, lemon zest, and melted cheese is a simple and comforting vegetable side. This oven broccoli recipe turns out tender and flavorful.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy baked broccoli, oven roasted broccoli
Servings: 4
Calories: 145kcal
Author: Srividhya G

Ingredients

Measurement Details: 1 cup=240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;

  • 10 oz broccoli florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp lemon zest
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese or Mexican blend

Instructions

  • If required, clean the broccoli florets and pat them completely dry. Remove any loose leaves and chop them into bite-sized pieces if needed. Spread them on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. If using foil, lightly spray it with oil. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
    broccoli and the seasoning
  • Add this mixture to the broccoli and use your hands to rub the seasoning evenly onto each floret. This helps distribute the salt evenly and prevents any one piece from tasting overly salty.
    broccoli coasted with seasoning
  • Bake the broccoli in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
    broccoli roasted for 20 minutes
  • Remove the tray from the oven, sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the broccoli, and bake for 10–12 minutes more.
    adding the cheese to the broccoli
  • I gently bring the florets closer together before adding the cheese, so it melts nicely over the broccoli and becomes slightly pull-apart when served.
    baked broccoli with melted cheese

Video

Notes

  • You can use any citrus zest—lime, lemon, or orange. I have tried all three, and they all taste great.
  • You can also use flavored olive oil; garlic-infused olive oil works particularly well.
  • If you prefer it cheesier, you can add up to 1 cup of cheese. Depending on the type of cheese used, adjust the salt to keep the broccoli from becoming too salty.
  • Ensure you rub the broccoli florets well with the dressing using your hands. This helps distribute the seasoning evenly and prevents salty spots, which is especially important for oven-baked broccoli recipes.
    • even oil coverage
    • No “salt bombs” on individual florets
    • better flavor adhesion during baking

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 552mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 1mg