This simple Cheddar Roasted Broccoli is a low carb, keto-friendly side dish that is ready in about 20 minutes! Enjoy a crispy, cheesy, satisfying serving for about 3 net carbs!
Who doesn’t need an extra trusty side dish in their repertoire? This Cheddar Roasted Broccoli is one of my go to recipes. Not only is it incredibly simple to make (odds are you have all the ingredients sitting in your fridge, promise!), but it is always a crowd pleaser! There are never any leftovers of these simple broccoli recipe.
It pairs super well with just about anything, but we especially love it with my favorite Roast Chicken. If you aren’t low carb serve this broccoli with the perfect roast chicken, and my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for a true feast! If you are low carb, I’ve got lots of great serving ideas below!
Cheddar Roasted Broccoli Ingredients:
This is just a quick overview of what you’ll need. Keep scrolling to the printable recipe card for exact measurements and instructions!
- Broccoli
- Shredded cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Shredded cheddar
How to roast broccoli:
This is SO simple. While your oven is preheating, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Toss the broccoli onto the baking sheet, then cover in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure all pieces are well seasoned, then spread out in a single layer and roast 15 minutes.
Turn the broccoli, then toss the shredded cheese on top. Bake 5-10 more minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and get crispy at the edges. Serve immediately!
Can you roast frozen broccoli?
You sure can! Because of the moisture in frozen broccoli, there are a few changes you want to make to this technique to get delicious, crispy roasted broccoli.
- Raise the temperature: If you’d still like this dish to be ready in 20 minutes, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F instead of 425. Lower the temperature to 425 after 15 minutes when you top it with cheese, then cook another 5-10 minutes as directed.
- Preheat your pan: Allow your baking sheet to get up to 450 as your oven preheats. This way the broccoli immediately can start to brown. If you don’t do this, it can lead to the moisture slowly leaking from the broccoli, leading the tasty veggie to getting a bit mushy instead of crispy. This does mean you likely want to toss your frozen broccoli in a bowl with seasoning instead of seasoning it straight on the pan.
- Cook straight from frozen: You don’t want to give the broccoli time to thaw because that moisture will lead to the florets to steam instead of roast. Instead, let it stay in the freezer until it’s time to season it and throw it on the pan!
Can you roast broccoli in an air fryer?
You definitely can! I chose not to use the air fryer for this dish because I don’t love cleaning the melted cheese out of it, though. It’s much easier to clean off my silicone baking mats instead! If you’re interested in roasting broccoli in your air fryer, I recommend this Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli instead!
Tips & Tricks for the best Roasted Broccoli:
- Cut your florets to the same size. This allows them to cook evenly. You don’t want half the broccoli to be perfectly crispy while the other half is undercooked!
- Make sure all pieces are well seasoned. I like to work the seasoning in with my hands to make sure it’s worked in, but you can stir the broccoli around. A spray olive oil makes it easy to make sure all pieces get a bit as well.
- Keep the broccoli in a single layer. For the crispiest broccoli, you want air to be able to circulate around the pieces. Florets that are too close to one another will steam, not roast, so do your best to make sure they’re as spread out as you can get them.
What should I serve with Cheddar Roasted Broccoli?
One of the best things about this crispy, cheesy roasted broccoli is that it goes with nearly everything! You can pair it with this Perfect Roast Chicken and Garlic Butter Mashed Cauliflower for a classic, keto-friendly meal (8.5 net carbs for the entire meal). This Keto Chicken Skillet with Bacon Cream Sauce and Three-Cheese Keto Biscuits would also make a perfect, well-rounded meal at just 8.3 net carbs!
If you aren’t concerned about carbs, consider preparing this broccoli with a Smoked Pork Tenderloin and this excellent Cheesy Cornbread! This roasted broccoli would be the perfect lunch side with a Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortilla Hack, too!
More Easy Vegetable Recipes:
- Perfect Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries & Pecans
- Cranberry Apple Kale Salad
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice Recipe
More interested in keto vegetable dishes? Here are some of my favorites under 5 net carbs per serving!
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Cauliflower (4.2 net carbs)
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower (3.5 net carbs)
- Keto Roasted Radishes (1.3 net carbs)
- Cheesy Roasted Asparagus (2.5 net carbs)
Cheddar Roasted Broccoli (low carb + keto)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets about 5 cups
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the broccoli, olive oil, salt and pepper and spread evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes, turn the broccoli and top with the shredded cheese.
- Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and crispy around the edges.