You can’t go wrong with broccoli. It’s green and good for you filled with vitamins, fiber and other important nutrients. Even though it’s only 50 calories per cup, there are nearly 5 grams of protein in there! 

However, soggy, over-steamed broccoli is not a friend of mine; my kids run away screaming, too. But oven-roasted broccoli is another thing, the family fights over it . . . and my Bacon Asiago Roasted Broccoli takes this goodness to a whole ‘nutha level. Read on and get the recipe. You’ve probably made or heard of “crack broccoli,” it’s been all the rage on Pinterest for years. It’s so simple, it seems silly to share the recipe, basically it’s fresh broccoli florets, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and a tiny, tiny sprinkle of sugar to encourage caramalization while roasting. When kids beg for this, you know it’s a winner.

However, to dress up this recipe for company one night, I decided to toss my roasted “crack” broccoli with fresh grated asiago cheese and pile up in an au gratin dish and top with crispy bacon crumbles. I just stuck this under the broiler until everything melting and glistening, and served alongside salmon. Not a speck of green left in sight at the end of that meal.

If you’re worried adding cheese and bacon to broccoli seems will be the end of your dietary undoing, don’t fret. The cheese is bold enough that not much is needed . . .and bacon crumbles, are so tiny they don’t count – haha! But, seriously, you do need a bit of fat in your diet. It’s all about balance.

This isn’t “sponsored” or anything, but I really like these Uncured Bacon Bits in Hickory flavor from Epic and that’s what I’ve used in my recipe.

So, what is your favorite way to eat broccoli? Did you like it as a kid? How do you get your kids to eat veggies they don’t like? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

Print

Bacon Asiago Roasted Broccol

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Add bold flavor to your broccoli with this easy roasted side dish recipe -- easy enough for weeknight dinners but elegant enough for a special meal.

Course: Vegetable

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup grated asago cheese
• 1/4 cup bacon crumbles

Instructions

1. Pre heat oven to 400 F degrees.
2. On rimmed baking sheet, spread out broccoli florets. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Use spoon or spatula to move around on sheet to coat evenly.
3. Roast broccoli for approximately 20 minutes, turning with spatula once. Broccoli will be done when ends are becoming crisp and turning brown in places.
4. Remove broccoli from oven and pile half into an au gratin dish. Top with 1/2 the cheese, and 1/2 the bacon. Add remainder of broccoli, topped with remaining cheese and bacon.
5. Turn broiler on high. Add dish to oven and broil, watching VERY carefully for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cheese melting and beginning to bubble.
6. Remove from oven and serve warm.