Ina Garten’s Perfect Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar Recipe

Roasted broccolini transforms an ordinary vegetable into a spectacular culinary experience that dazzles taste buds.

Green stalks with delicate florets promise a nutritious and vibrant side dish.

Crisp edges emerge from high-temperature roasting, creating irresistible caramelized corners.

Aged sharp cheddar melts into verdant stems, adding rich complexity and depth.

Simple ingredients combine to elevate this humble green into something memorable and sophisticated.

Strategic seasoning intensifies natural flavors, making each bite more compelling than the last.

Dramatic temperature shifts and carefully selected cheese guarantee a memorable dining moment: prepare to be amazed.

Why Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar Deserve a Spot on Your Table

• Elevate Simple Vegetables: Transform ordinary broccolini into a restaurant-worthy side dish with minimal effort, creating a vibrant and exciting vegetable experience that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.
• Textural Cheese Magic: Combine crisp-tender roasted broccolini with melted cheddar crumbles, delivering a delightful contrast between the slightly charred vegetable edges and the creamy, gooey cheese that adds instant richness and depth.
• Bright Flavor Boost: Finish the dish with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, cutting through the richness of the cheese and adding a zingy brightness that awakens all the other flavors, making each bite more complex and interesting.

Your Ingredient List for Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar

Main Ingredients:

• Broccolini: Fresh green vegetable with tender stems and delicate florets, best when bright green and firm.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and rich cheese that melts beautifully, provides creamy and tangy flavor.

• Olive Oil: High-quality oil that helps roast vegetables and adds subtle richness.
• Kosher Salt: Coarse salt that seasons and helps draw out moisture from broccolini.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground spice that adds warmth and depth to the dish.

• Lemon: Fresh citrus that brightens the roasted vegetables and cuts through the cheese's richness.

Cooking Directions for Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Heat the oven to 400°F or 200°C, ensuring it reaches the perfect temperature for roasting.

Step 2: Trim And Slice Broccolini

Carefully remove the tough bottom stems of broccolini. Slice the remaining stems lengthwise into halves or quarters depending on thickness. Gently separate the florets without breaking them apart completely.

Step 3: Season The Vegetables

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Drizzle olive oil over broccolini and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss gently to ensure even coating. Spread the broccolini in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Step 4: First Roasting Phase

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for 10 minutes, using a spatula to turn the broccolini halfway through cooking. Aim for a crisp-tender texture.

Step 5: Add Melting Cheddar

Cut cheddar cheese into quarter-inch thick pieces and crumble them. Scatter cheese over roasted broccolini. Return to oven for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts completely.

Step 6: Final Touch With Citrus

Remove baking sheet from oven. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the roasted broccolini. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while hot and cheese is gooey.

Top Tips for Roasting Broccolini Right

• Prep Stems with Precision: Trim broccolini stems carefully to ensure uniform length, guaranteeing even cooking and perfect texture in every bite.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Opt for a high-quality sharp white Cheddar that melts beautifully and delivers rich, complex flavor to the dish.
• Roast with Room to Breathe: Spread broccolini in a single layer on the sheet pan, allowing enough space for proper caramelization and crispy edges.
• Master the Midway Stir: Gently rotate broccolini halfway through roasting to promote even browning and maximize delicious caramelized spots.
• Citrus Finale: Finish the dish with a fresh squeeze of lemon just before serving to brighten the flavors and add a zesty punch.

How to Keep Broccolini & Cheddar Fresh

• Freeze-Friendly Method: Transfer cooled broccolini and cheddar into freezer-safe containers with tight-sealing lids. Wrap each container tightly with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor intensity. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking. Freeze dishes for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum taste retention when properly sealed.
• Quick Revival Method: Arrange refrigerated or thawed broccolini on a ceramic or cast-iron baking dish. Sprinkle additional fresh cheddar on top to restore moisture and enhance flavor profile. Warm in preheated oven at 180°C for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to prevent overcooking or cheese scorching.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Separate remaining broccolini and cheddar into individual portion-sized containers.

Tasty Variations on Ina’s Classic Dish

• Spicy Garlic Cheddar Broccolini: Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes before roasting for a zesty kick. The garlic caramelizes beautifully, creating deeper flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean Herb Broccolini: Sprinkle dried oregano, thyme, and crumbled feta cheese instead of cheddar. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an aromatic Mediterranean touch.
• Parmesan Nutty Broccolini: Replace cheddar with grated Parmesan and toasted pine nuts. The nutty Parmesan adds a rich, savory dimension to the roasted vegetable.
• Asian-Inspired Sesame Broccolini: Swap olive oil with sesame oil, add soy sauce, and top with toasted sesame seeds and green onions after roasting. The sesame brings a complex, umami-rich flavor profile.

Recap of Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar Delights

Roasted broccolini with melted cheddar emerges as magical kitchen alchemy, blending earthy green vegetables with rich cheese nuances.

Ina Garten’s simple recipe transforms humble ingredients into elegant side dishes perfect for sophisticated dinners.

Crisp-edged broccolini kissed with olive oil presents Mediterranean-inspired comfort on restaurant-quality plates.

Sharp cheddar crumbles melt seductively across verdant vegetable landscapes, creating irresistible textural contrasts.

Lemon’s bright acidity cuts through richness, balancing complex flavor profiles with zesty precision.

Culinary adventurers seeking sensational side dishes will rejoice in this foolproof method – so snap that mouthwatering photo, share this delectable discovery with fellow epicurean friends, and let passionate food conversations begin!

Ina Garten Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s roasted broccolini with cheddar cheese delivers a rich, savory side dish that elevates simple vegetables. Crisp edges and melted sharp cheddar create a delightful combination that will have dinner guests requesting seconds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 680g / 1.5 pounds broccolini
• 170g / 6 ounces sharp aged white Cheddar (e.g. Cabot)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Liquid Ingredients:

• 60ml / 4 tablespoons good olive oil
• Juice of 0.5 lemon

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 200°C / 400°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even roasting.
2. Carefully trim the tough bottom portions of the broccolini stems, discarding the woody ends. Slice thicker stems lengthwise into halves or quarters to ensure uniform cooking. Gently separate the florets without breaking them.
3. Transfer the prepared broccolini to a large rimmed baking sheet, spreading the vegetable pieces in a single, even layer to promote optimal roasting.
4. Generously drizzle 60 milliliters / of olive oil over the broccolini, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. Sprinkle of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper across the vegetable, then toss thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly.
5. Roast the broccolini in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, using a spatula to turn the pieces halfway through cooking to achieve consistent crispness and tenderness.
6. While the broccolini is roasting, slice the Cheddar cheese into ¼ inch (6 millimeters) thick pieces, then break them into rustic, large crumbles.
7. After the initial roasting, scatter the Cheddar crumbles over the broccolini, returning the pan to the oven for an additional 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes slightly bubbly.
8. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the roasted broccolini and melted cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

Notes

• Transform broccolini stems by trimming them uniformly for consistent cooking and tender texture.
• Select premium aged white Cheddar to elevate the dish’s rich, complex flavor profile.
• Spread broccolini in a single layer for maximum roasting potential, preventing steaming and ensuring crispy edges.
• Rotate vegetables midway through roasting to guarantee even caramelization and golden-brown results.
• Drizzle fresh lemon juice moments before serving to preserve its vibrant, zesty essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 460mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 20mg