By Becky Hardin
Updated Jan 22, 2026
Roasted Parmesan broccoli with lemon is one of my favorite ways to turn a humble vegetable into a crispy, flavor-packed side dish everyone actually wants to eat. Fresh broccoli florets are roasted at high heat until the edges are golden and tender, then finished with salty Parmesan and bright lemon zest for the perfect balance of savory and fresh. It’s an easy, healthy oven-roasted broccoli recipe that fits right in with busy weeknights, holiday spreads, or anytime you need a fast, reliable vegetable on the table.
5-Star Review
“Used broccoli and cauliflower and it was easy and delicious. Great side dish!” – Diana
Tips for Beginners
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give the broccoli space so the hot air can circulate. If the florets are touching, they’ll steam instead of roast, and you’ll miss out on those crispy, browned edges.
- Cut the florets into similar sizes. Smaller pieces cook and brown faster, so keeping everything close in size helps the broccoli roast evenly without some pieces burning while others stay underdone. Save any leftover broccoli stalks, cut them into coins, and roast them up with the rest of the broccoli.
- Roast at high heat. A 425°F oven is the sweet spot for caramelization. Lower temperatures soften the broccoli before it has a chance to get those golden, crispy edges.
- Add the lemon at the end. Lemon juice adds moisture, and adding it too early can cause the broccoli to steam. Finish with lemon zest and juice after roasting to keep the texture crisp and bright.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 24 oz. broccoli florets (1 ½ pounds)
- ▢ 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- ▢ 2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- ▢ 2 whole lemons cut into wedges
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine all the flavors. 24 oz. broccoli florets, 2-3 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Arrange the broccoli in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and place the lemon wedges around as you see fit. 2 whole lemons
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan. Squeeze lemon wedges over broccoli if desired.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- If using frozen broccoli florets , separate the florets as much as possible before tossing in oil and bake at 450°F instead of 425°F.
- In place of fresh garlic, you can use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- If you like your broccoli super tender , or if you’re short on time, you can blanch it for about 2 minutes before roasting , but there’s really no need.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Roasted Parmesan Broccoli with Lemon Step by Step
Gather the ingredients. Gather all the ingredients together. Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Season the broccoli: In a large bowl, toss 24 oz (1½ lbs) broccoli florets with 2-3 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, and ¼ cup of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the broccoli is evenly coated.
Spread the broccoli: Spread the seasoned broccoli in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and arrange 2 lemons cut into wedges around the florets.
Roast the broccoli: Roast for 12-14 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the edges begin to brown.
Top and serve: Remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle the broccoli with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and squeeze the roasted lemon wedges over the top before serving, if desired.
Easy Flavor Variations for Roasted Broccoli
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Swap the Parmesan for another hard, salty cheese like Asiago or Pecorino Romano for a slightly sharper flavor.
- Make it dairy-free by replacing the cheese with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
- Add extra seasoning before roasting. Italian seasoning or ranch seasoning are some of my favorites.
- Try tossing the warm broccoli with browned butter for a rich finish.
- Spoon over chimichurri for a fresh, herby twist.
- Add a drizzle of Buffalo sauce if you like a little heat.
- Finish with pesto for a bright, savory boost.
How to Store and Reheat Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Store leftover lemon Parmesan roasted broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments or in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze lemon Parmesan roasted broccoli in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This roasted broccoli is the perfect side dish for any meal. It’s fresh, light, and flavorful. Pair it with our creamy tuscan chicken for a complete weeknight meal, or add it as a side to our air fryer steak bites . I also love it served alongside oven-fried chicken breast or turkey meatloaf .
More Roasted Vegetable Side Dishes
Roasted Honeynut Squash
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Roasted Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted Parmesan Broccoli with Lemon
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 24 oz. broccoli florets (1 ½ pounds)
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 2 whole lemons cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Set aside for now.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine all the flavors. 24 oz. broccoli florets, 2-3 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Arrange the broccoli in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and place the lemon wedges around as you see fit. 2 whole lemons
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan. Squeeze lemon wedges over broccoli if desired.
Video
Notes
- If using frozen broccoli florets , separate the florets as much as possible before tossing in oil and bake at 450°F instead of 425°F.
- In place of fresh garlic, you can use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- If you like your broccoli super tender , or if you’re short on time, you can blanch it for about 2 minutes before roasting , but there’s really no need.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
