I thought instead of showing you all some fancy staged photo of a bowl of roasted broccoli, that I would show you my kids actually eating and liking it! I know that if I hear about someone’s kids digging a veggie then I’m more inclined to make it up for my kids. So, hopefully by seeing my kids enjoying this super healthy veggie, some of you may be more inclined to make this up for your troops! I’m also letting you all know that this is not going to be a fancy post with jaw dropping photos, but instead it’s going to be a quick and simple post showing you all a quick and simple family approved recipe. That’s how Marin mama rolls these days. I’m a full-time working mama, working on some easy family approved recipes for you all!
My kids are HUGE fans of roasted broccoli. Roasted broccoli is like candy in this house, seriously! When I make up a batch of roasted broccoli my kids literally eat it out of the pan, they just tell me to plop the pan on the counter and they dig in. It really has an amazing flavor and is SO easy to roast up. If you want to get your kids to eat and try more veggies, then roast up some broccoli! I know they will be fans, and I know this because I served this up to some picky broccoli eaters (an adorable 5 and 8 year old that I know) and they devoured it, and even gave me the double thumbs up! Roasting up a batch of broccoli only takes 8 minutes, and it’s a vegetable that can be eaten year round, bonus! As you can see in the below photos, my kids are huge fans!
I even get the double thumbs up from both kids! I mean what mom doesn’t love that! 
Roasted Broccoli:
- 1-2 heads of broccoli or broccoli rabe, chopped small – I tend to get a head of broccoli and a head of broccoli rabe, as we love both types!
- extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil
- fine sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wash up your broccoli, cut off the florets and chop them into small pieces. Smaller pieces work best because they roast up quicker.
Toss the broccoli onto the baking sheet, drizzle it with some olive oil, a few pinches of sea salt and some freshly ground pepper if desired, and mix it all together.
The amount of sea salt and olive oil you add is really to taste. 
Roast the broccoli in the pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes.
We tend to like ours broccoli a bit on the al dente side, so we only roast our broccoli for 8 minutes.
There you have it. See how easy that was? This is the perfect veggie side for any meal and super quick to whip up.
It’s also kid approved which is a HUGE bonus! Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Next up, we take this roasted broccoli and add it to one our favorite fall and winter sandwiches, grilled cheese. This grilled cheese and roasted broccoli sandwich is amazing.
- 1-2 heads of broccoli or broccoli rabe, chopped small - I tend to get a head of broccoli and a head of broccoli rabe, as we love both types!
- extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil
- fine sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
- Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash up your broccoli, cut off the florets and chop them into small pieces. Smaller pieces work best because they roast up quicker.
- Toss the broccoli onto the baking sheet, drizzle it with some olive oil, a few pinches of sea salt and some freshly ground pepper if desired, and mix it all together. Note: The amount of sea salt and olive oil you add is really to taste.
- Roast the broccoli in the pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes. We tend to like ours broccoli a bit on the al dente side, so we only roast our broccoli for 8 minutes.
- There you have it. See how easy that was? This is the perfect veggie side for any meal and super quick to whip up.
I too loved the promo pictures with the kids, and thought, three ingredients, I can do this! I made it tonight for my parents and son and it turned out great! My 12 year old son loved it as a dinner side.
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Lea! Yaay! I’m so happy to hear that your family loved the roasted broccoli! I’m also happy to hear that my promo picture inspired you to roast some up! Sometimes I feel like my kids are the best advertisement for the recipes. I just made up some cauliflower rice the other day as a recipe to try for the blog, and my kids gave it the major thumbs down! Oh well, we can’t win all of the time, right? Have a great week Lea!
xoxo, Jacquelyn
Yummy! We roasted broccoli last night. WOW! Love it.
Awesome Colleen! I’m so happy to hear that you all loved it 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn
I like those fun photos of your kids eating broccoli way better than a staged bowl of broccoli photo 🙂 I’ve never tried this before, but roasted cauliflower is a staple around here, so I know I’ll like roasted broccoli 🙂
It doesn’t get better than that! your kids eating broccoli out of the pan!! happy mama!
mary
So true Mary, so true 😉 xoxo, Jacquelyn
And here I was wondering about what to do with a bit of broccoli my husband brought home from a local farm. Grilled cheese, of course! I love the pics of your kids promoting roasted broc!
Thanks Ann! Isn’t is great when recipe idea pops up when you least expect it? I thought it would be helpful and fun to have my kids promote a veggie! They also love being on the blog, so it was a win win! I hope you love that grilled cheese! xoxo, Jacquelyn 🙂
So cute! Cute broccoli lovers! 🙂 Jake is the same way, he has even been known to make an after dinner snack of roasted broccoli just out of the blue! Funny kid. 🙂 It’s one of my favorite veggies. When I roast it, I also add garlic and a little parmesan, yum! xoxo, Sharon
Hi girl!!!! I love that Jake is such a healthy eater. He is probably so happy to be home chowing down on your amazing cooking girl, and I’m sure you’re happy to have him home. I love your addition of the garlic and parm. I know my kids would be big fans of those two additions! Take care sweetie! xoxo, Jacquelyn 🙂
We love roasted broccoli!! We do it at 425F for 25-28 minutes. Roasted cauliflower is just as amazing if not more. I love to eat right from the oven or cooled and toppings on a salad.
I love the idea of using it in grilled cheese…cannot wait for the recipe!
Yaay! Glad to hear that there is another roasted broccoli fan out there! We also love roasted cauliflower and Brussels. I just love any veggie roasted really, as it just brings out so much flavor! I will post that grilled cheese recipe next week! Promise 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn
You have just reminded me how much I like roasted broccoli and cauliflower. That sandwich looks pretty good!
Yummo.. my all time fave way to eat broccoli! I never thought to add it to a grilled cheese…. gr8 idea!
My 2&4 year old kids love roasted broccoli, too! I was shocked and delighted when the 2 year old finally tried it and said “mommy, I like broccowi!” I can’t wait to see how you make a broccoli grilled cheese — never ever would have thought of that.
Hi Emily! Yaay, I love hearing that your little ones love roasted broccoli! Roasted broccoli is really tasty, and I’m so happy that I found another way for us to enjoy broccoli. I was getting tired of blanching and sautéing broccoli rabe with shallots all the time. This way is SO much easier. The grilled cheese with broccoli is SO good. I’ve already eaten 2 of those sandwiches this week! 😉 xoxo, Jacquelyn