20 Veggie-Loaded Dinner Dishes with Broccoli

By: Pamela Reed

Posted:9/8/23

Updated:9/26/24

Level up your family’s dinner game with our top 20 broccoli recipes that are not only delicious but also kid-approved! From cheesy casseroles to hearty soups, spaghetti and mac and cheese dishes, and more, we’ve picked these easy recipes that make broccoli the star of the show.

cheesy broccoli with spoon serving it.

20 Recipe Ideas Featuring Broccoli Florets

Broccoli is one of our favorite veggies to add to recipes. It’s such a versatile vegetable that can be used in a wide range of dishes, from casseroles, to soups, to pasta and so much more. Its mild flavor and crunchy texture make it a popular addition to so many meals!

Below are some are my family’s favorite broccoli recipes, all approved (thumbs up) from our 3 kids. Our go to meals on our weekly menu are Butter Garlic Pasta with Broccoli, Chinese Chicken and Broccoli and Roasted Broccoli (simple side dish to go with anything!).

I hope you find a broccoli recipe that your family loves!

buttery pasta with broccoli.

How to Store Broccoli

Storing broccoli properly is important to maintain its freshness (crunch!) and flavor. Here are some steps on how to store broccoli:

Don’t wash it until you’re ready to use it. Too much moisture can cause mold, so you’ll only want to rinse your broccoli right before you’re ready to cook it.

Make sure it’s dry. Sometimes when you buy broccoli from the supermarket it will be wet due to the produce sprinklers. Shake off excess water and use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the broccoli dry. Excess moisture can lead to rotting.

Plastic bag with holes: Place the dry broccoli in a perforated plastic bag or a loosely tied plastic produce bag. The holes allow for some airflow, preventing moisture buildup.

Refrigerator: Store broccoli in the refrigerator, ideally the vegetable crisper drawer of your refrigerator if you have enough space.

Freezer: You can totally freeze broccoli if you have lots of it, or running out of time. Here’s my full directions on how to freeze broccoli.

20 Ways to Eat Broccoli (Raw & Cooked!)

1

5 from 11 reviews

Fast Butter Garlic Pasta with Broccoli

15 minute Butter Garlic Pasta made with frozen broccoli. This is a quick weeknight dinner meal that my kids love. The simple sauce is made with garlic, olive oil, butter and salt, 3 ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!

2

4.7 from 12 reviews

Extra Saucy Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Simple chicken and broccoli stir-fry recipe that makes tender chicken and crunchy broccoli coated in a flavorful brown sauce. This recipe is saucy because we always make extra sauce for our rice! This tastes just like your favorite Chinese restaurant but even better because it's homemade!

3

4.8 from 5 reviews

15-Minute Velveeta Mac and Cheese with Broccoli

My version of broccoli mac and cheese comes together fast — just 15 minutes stovetop — and is made with only 3 ingredients: elbow pasta noodles, melted velveeta cheese and small, chopped broccoli florets! It’s a quick, creamy, cheesy dinner, perfect for feeding folks (or family) when you’re short on for time.

4

5 from 5 reviews

Quick-Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese made with elbow noodles, shredded cheese and fresh broccoli. This simple weeknight recipe is always a hit with my entire family – even picky kids! Covered in a rich layer of buttery breadcrumbs and baked to achieve cheesy perfection, this dish is pure comfort food.

5

4.7 from 3 reviews

How to Cook Broccoli in the Oven (15 minutes)

Directions on how to cook broccoli in the oven, resulting in crispy roasted broccoli! This easy recipe only takes 15 minutes.

6

4.9 from 23 reviews

Cheesy Broccoli with Cheddar

Looking for the best kid-friendly side dish? This Cheesy Broccoli recipe takes minutes to put together and is a delicious way to eat your veggies! After all, everything is better when it’s covered in cheese sauce.

7

4.7 from 14 reviews

Crockpot Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup (No Milk!)

Creamy potato broccoli soup with cheddar cheese, made in the crockpot in 4 hours. It's made with 5 simple ingredients, and doesn't have any milk or heavy cream in it! It's one of my favorite fall recipes, the bowl is like a big comforting hug when the weather gets chilly!

8

5 from 5 reviews

Speedy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick and satisfying meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli, all coated in a savory, flavorful sauce. This balanced dish is not only packed with nutrients but also incredibly versatile—serve it over fluffy white rice or savory lo mein noodles for a complete and delicious dinner. Enjoy a hearty, veggie-loaded meal that comes together effortlessly!

9

5 from 5 reviews

Cheesy Stuffing Casserole with Broccoli

Stove Top Stuffing Broccoli Casserole is made with frozen vegetables, stuffing, rice and cheese! My family loves this cheesy stuffing casserole!

10

5 from 5 reviews

Crustless Broccoli and Cheese Quiche

This easy to make Crustless Broccoli and Cheese Quiche is a healthy breakfast or dinner! Low Carb meal because the "crust" is kale.

11

5 from 9 reviews

Fresh Green Bean, Broccoli and Potato Casserole

Green Bean and Potato Casserole recipe using fresh vegetables. This homemade creamy side dish is easy to make and always the first gone at the dinner table.

12

5 from 3 reviews

Scalloped Potatoes Casserole with Broccoli (No Ham)

Layers of scalloped potatoes and broccoli in a creamy cheesy sauce baked to golden perfection. This homemade recipe is made easy by using a can of cream of mushroom soup. You will have this easy casserole ready for the oven in just 10 minutes!

13

5 from 4 reviews

Frozen Cream of Broccoli Soup

Cheesy cream of broccoli soup made with frozen broccoli, cheese, chicken broth and milk. This is so easy to make in less than 30 minutes — served with fluffy rolls on the side!

14

4.9 from 7 reviews

Green Bean Broccoli Casserole (With Frozen Vegetables)

This comforting Green Bean Broccoli Casserole (With Frozen Vegetables) comes together quickly with the help of frozen vegetables, canned mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, and crunchy Ritz crackers. It’s a delicious and creamy side dish you can enjoy for the holidays or weeknight dinners.

15

5 from 3 reviews

Baked Broccoli and Cheese Sticks

Baked Broccoli and Cheese Sticks recipe is easy to make and only uses 5 ingredients. This delicious snack food is perfect to serve as a party appetizer or snack! Your kids are going to love these easy cheesy broccoli bites!

16

5 from 1 review

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Simple Cream of Broccoli Soup recipe that's thick, full of flavor and healthy! This easy homemade soup only takes 30 minutes to make! Come join me for a bowl!

17

5 from 1 review

Simple Fresh Broccoli Pasta with Spaghetti

Easy One Pot Broccoli Pasta recipe that the entire family is going to love! It’s quick to make, you only need 15 minutes! This is a healthy simple dish made with olive oil and Parmesan cheese.

18

5 from 1 review

Cheesy Vegetable Omelette with Chopped Broccoli

Cheesy Vegetable Omelette is packed with garden fresh vegetables! This healthy breakfast recipe is easy to make and shows you how to make a perfect omelette step by step!

19

5 from 3 reviews

Vegetable Lo Mein

Easy Vegetable Lo mein made in 20 minutes. You need lo mein noodles, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, carrot and bell pepper to make this healthy dish that tastes just like your favorite Chinese restaurant!

20

5 from 1 review

Chicken Chow Mein with Broccoli

A easy-to-make Chicken Chow Mein recipe that is better than Chinese takeout. This healthy 30 minute dish is made with chicken, vegetables, bean sprouts and soy sauce. Tastes just like La Choy Chicken Chow Mein that you ate as a kid!

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Level up your family's dinner game with our top 20 broccoli recipes that are not only delicious but also kid-approved! From cheesy casseroles to hearty soups, spaghetti and mac and cheese dishes, and more, we've picked these easy recipes that make broccoli the star of the show.

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