Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is so important to us and when it comes to the food category some consider green foods to be the magic food of a healthy diet. Not only does broccoli help our health but it can help us manage weight gain, slow down aging and, best of all, improve the way we feel day to day. Eating green vegetables plays an important role when you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
There are many varieties of green vegetables to choose from, so if you don’t like one, you’re bound to find something else you like. More specifically, a green vegetable like broccoli is very good for our bodies. Broccoli is a great source of fiber which helps aid and regulates our digestion. It also has vitamin C which helps build collagen and protect our bodies from damaging free radicals. Broccoli also contains potassium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and so many other great benefits. There is no wonder why we should be incorporating broccoli more into our diets. The trouble is when we introduce healthy foods into our diets it can sometimes feel repetitive. This is why we have found 15 mouth-watering recipes that can make you fall in love with broccoli again.
Casseroles are a great way to combine many ingredients into one savory dish. This casserole get’s a healthy upgrade from its ingredients! It is made with quinoa instead of rice or pasta and has added protein from chicken and sausage.
The creamy filling is made with a homemade sauce which makes it even healthier from wholesome ingredients. If you want to make this an easy weeknight dinner you could consider doing some prep work ahead of time. Cook the quinoa and keep refrigerated until you’re ready to use. You can also grate the cheese ahead of time to save a few extra minutes. This dish can be assembled and frozen if you want to make it a freezer meal for nights when you’re in a pinch for time.
https://www.thechunkychef.com/cheesy-quinoa-sausage-broccoli-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE CHUNKY CHEF
If you thrive on easy meals then you’ll love this recipe. This one-pan dish is made in a skillet and contains simple and easily accessible ingredients. You can use frozen broccoli for this dish as well as frozen shrimp, although you may achieve a better flavor if you revert to fresh shrimp instead.
This one-pot meal is full of flavor from a delicious sauce made up of honey and garlic, ginger and soy sauce. It is hearty and filling enough that you can enjoy it on its own or serve alongside some quick minute rice if you feel the need to have extra substance.
https://homemadehooplah.com/honey-garlic-shrimp-and-broccoli/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOMEMADE HOOPLAH
There is something so satisfying about creamy soups. It probably has to do with the creamy texture combined with a savory and salty flavor. Creamy soups always taste extra satisfying on cold days, they warm the soul you know? They’re great for days you’re just craving some serious comfort food too.
This recipe is delicious while being slightly healthier than traditional creamy soups because there’s no cream invited to this dish. Instead, this recipe uses milk and chicken stock. The creamy texture is achieved from the potatoes in this recipe. The trick is to use an immersion blender to make the soup nice and thick before you add the broccoli. This soup will be a family favorite.
https://www.foodiecrush.com/broccoli-cheese-potato-soup/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOODIE CRUSH
If your kids can’t get enough of tater tots then this will be your new go-to recipe. These broccoli tots are a great way to secretly add in more servings of vegetables while maintaining one of their favorite foods. They have the same shape and a very similar texture but the pop of color may actually make them more fun than ordinary tots.
These tots are made by combining finely chopped broccoli (let your food processor to the dirty work for you), cheddar cheese, onion, bread crumbs and an egg to bind everything together. They also have fragrant flavors of cilantro, parsley and Italian seasoned bread crumbs to add extra flavor. These tots are baked, not fried while maintaining a golden and crispy texture everyone loves about tots.
https://gimmedelicious.com/2015/05/17/healthy-baked-broccoli-tots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME DELICIOUS
These broccoli crescent wraps are another easy to throw together dinner idea. It is made healthier by swapping out mayonnaise for cottage cheese and is super easy because it’s made with store-bought crescent roll dough. It is also a vegetarian meal which means you can experiment with meat-free nights in a fun way.
This delicious wrap is filled with a broccoli and cheese filling making it crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. This fulfilling and satisfying meal will definitely be requested again.
https://www.trialandeater.com/broccoli-crescent-wrap/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: TRIAL AND EATER
Although some may feel cheese and broccoli go together like PB and J it can be refreshing to find healthy yet tasty ways to incorporate it into your diet. This detox salad is a powerhouse in a bowl because not only does it include broccoli but also cauliflower, kale, carrots and then, then coated with a lemon-ginger and oregano dressing. The ingredients in this salad help cleanse the body as well as acts as a liver detoxification. You’ll want to make this if you’re on a diet but also after a weekend that contained several glasses of wine if you know what I mean.
You’ll feel satisfied with the crunchy texture and tangy flavor. It is also carb-free which means if you follow a paleo or keto diet this would be an awesome meal for you. Considering all the veggies included in this salad are hearty and hold their form, you can make this salad and the leftovers will last you up to three days in the fridge before going soggy.
https://www.chefdehome.com/recipes/683/cauliflower-and-broccoli-detox-salad PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHEF DE HOME
Why not take quiche and put a unique twist on a classic recipe. These little quiches are in cup size servings making it an easy pop and go breakfast. Quiche traditionally has some sort of pastry dough as the crust but this recipe substitutes that for a crispy hash brown shell.
For an added convenience this recipe is made in a muffin tin which makes them ready-made-portions for the whole family. Quiche is a fun breakfast because it is very customizable. They have a light and fluffy texture mixed with veggies like broccoli, cheese, and meat of your choice. You can make these luscious quiche cups on the weekend so you have ready-to-go breakfasts for the week!
https://www.alattefood.com/hash-brown-crusted-broccoli-cheddar-quiche-cups/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: A LATTE FOOD
Hummus is a great choice when it comes to healthy snacking. It can also be added to sandwiches and wraps to enhance the flavor, texture and to increase the nutritional value. This recipe takes a unique spin to a traditional hummus recipe since this recipe doesn’t require any chickpeas at all.
Instead of chickpeas, you will use broccoli for this hummus. It is an innovative way to introduce more veggies to you and your family’s diet. Considering broccoli is an excellent source of calcium, protein and so many other great nutrients, your body will be thank you for enjoying this snack. It is easy to make since all you to do is plop all the ingredients into a food processor, blend and then serve. You can enjoy this dip with pita bread, chips or keep it healthy and have it with veggie sticks.
http://positivemed.com/2013/04/26/raw-broccoli-hummus/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: POSITIVE MED
Finger foods are all the rage especially for gatherings or to enjoy with some Sunday afternoon football. If you want to score some points with your kids you’ll want to make these. These broccoli cheese balls will be gobbled up quickly and everyone will want you to make these again.
They have a crispy outer layer made from panko crumbs and are filled with a cheesy and broccoli filling. The secret is to use a 3-cheese blend, then add a bit of a heat kick with red pepper flakes. If no one in your house likes spicy you could always decrease the measurement of red pepper flakes or completely opt out of adding them. The trick is to make the cheese balls ahead of time so they can set in the fridge before you roll them in the crumbs and fry them.
https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/broccoli-cheese-balls/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SPICY SOUTHERN KITCHEN
This meal is quick and easy that takes less than 30 minutes to make. It is also made in one-pot (a skillet) which means there will be less cleanup time after. If you love pairing beef and broccoli you’ll love this noodle dish.
Ramen bowls are an easy way to bring Asian cuisine into your kitchen with minimal effort. This dish is made from thinly sliced steak, broccoli florets mixed with ramen noodles and a stick, savory sauce. You can find ramen noodles in the international food aisle at the grocery store or you can use pre-packaged ramen soup packs and just leave out the seasoning packets out to create this recipe. You’ll love this sweet and rich sauce that is made up of broth, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and a secret ingredient, brown sugar!
https://chefsavvy.com/beef-and-broccoli-ramen/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHEF SAVVY
Incorporating broccoli into your meals in unique ways can keep your meals interesting, creative, and fun! This broccoli crust is a fun way to help make your pizza low-carb, gluten-free and is definitely a healthier alternative to a regular doughy pizza crust.
The vibrant green color will remain even after cooking which will definitely peak your children’s interest. It is a fun way to integrate more veggies into everyone’s diets. The best part is – the crust is made in the food processor so there is no elbow grease needed here. It is nicely seasoned with Italian herb seasoning, parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella. After you make this tasty crust, build your pizza with your favorite toppings.
https://kirbiecravings.com/broccoli-crust-pizza PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KIRBIE CRAVINGS
Ah, mac and cheese, everyone’s childhood favorite. There’s a reason why this timeless meal is a kid-pleaser. It’s simple, cheesy, and flavorful. So why not take a kid-favorite like mac and cheese and give it a little facelift?
This savory cheese sauce is made from scratch. The mac and cheese contain real bacon bits for an added salty goodness and then some broccoli florets to compliment this creamy texture and help balance the meal nutrition wise. This recipes serves four and is budget friendly. It only cost $1.70 per serving so if you love saving money then you’ll want to get your hands on this recipe too.
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2017/05/one-pot-bacon-broccoli-mac-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BUDGET BYTES
Although many love a tender steak, watching your red-meat intake can be important. Steak alternatives could be a great option when you’ve already met your red-meat quota for the week. These healthy steaks are also a great idea when you’re trying to keep your meals low carb, healthy and will help you watch your waistline too.
If you want to feel like a 5-star chef then consider making these broccoli steaks, you’re bound to love them. They’re caramelized in a skillet first to give them a crispy outer layer and then finished and baked in the oven. The sauce is the second best part of this recipe. It is made with vibrant ingredients that compliment the broccoli steaks perfectly.
http://ladyandpups.com/2015/09/21/amazing-broccoli-steaks-w-red-chili-sambal-romesco/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LADY AND PUPS
We already know broccoli can compliment many meals in different variations but it can be a favorable ingredient for dips, too. This cheesy broccoli dip is a perfect appetizer for potlucks, parties, holidays and game days. Everyone can dig in and enjoy this savory dip together.
The base of this dip is made up of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and greek yogurt. The broccoli just adds to the already gooey, creamy texture. Serve this dip with your favorite crackers, pita bread or even veggies if you want to keep it healthier!
https://wonkywonderful.com/broccoli-cheese-dip-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WONKY WONDERFUL
Chicken dinners are very popular because it’s an easy way to provide your family with a protein filled meal while maintaining simplicity and minimal effort. However, it is often that we resort to the same side dishes which then exhaust chicken dinners and quickly makes you grow tired of them.
Change up your chicken dinner by serving it with broccoli rice for a unique spin on your next dinner. Broccoli rice offers a gluten-free choice and keeps it low carb (hello Keto-dieters)! The chicken is marinated in a tangy mandarin orange and spicy Asian sauce. This meal is full of flavor and spices you’ll want to make sure it get’s added to the rotation for your weekly meals.
https://www.jessicagavin.com/orange-chicken-broccoli-rice-bowls/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JESSICA GAVIN
