Crispy Broccolini & Cheddar Magic: Ina Garten’s Elite Recipe
Who doesn’t love a simple side dish that bursts with flavor and roasted broccolini with sharp cheddar from Ina Garten promises a delightful culinary experience?
Crisp green stalks meet melted cheese in a dance of textures and tastes.
The recipe brings together fresh ingredients with minimal effort and maximum impact.
Roasting transforms these delicate vegetables into a caramelized wonder that practically melts in your mouth.
Each bite delivers a perfect balance of earthy broccolini and rich, tangy cheddar.
The dish works beautifully as a quick weeknight side or an elegant accompaniment to any main course.
You’ll want to add this simple yet sophisticated recipe to your regular dinner rotation.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 220 kcal
Servings: 4
What’s Needed for Ina Garten’s Roasted Broccolini & Cheddar
For Vegetables:
Broccolini: Crisp, tender green vegetable with delicate flavor, choose bright green and firm stalks with no yellow or wilted leaves.
Lemon: Bright citrus that adds freshness and cuts through rich cheese, select firm lemons with smooth, fragrant skin.
For Seasonings:
Olive Oil: Helps broccolini roast evenly and adds rich Mediterranean flavor, use high-quality extra virgin for best results.
Kosher Salt: Enhances natural vegetable taste, provides balanced seasoning without overwhelming other ingredients.
Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle spiciness and depth to the roasted vegetables, freshly ground offers more intense flavor.
For Dairy:
Cheddar Cheese: Provides creamy, sharp flavor that melts beautifully, choose aged cheddar for more robust taste and smooth texture.
Tools to Roast and Melt Ina’s Broccolini Dish Just Right
Sheet pan: Large, flat baking tray for roasting vegetables evenly.
Spatula: Useful for tossing and turning broccolini during roasting.
Sharp knife: Needed for trimming broccolini stems and slicing cheddar.
Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.
Measuring spoons: For accurate salt and pepper measurements.
Measuring cups: To measure olive oil precisely.
Lemon squeezer (optional): Helps extract lemon juice easily.
Cooking Directions for Broccolini with Cheddar à la Ina
Roasted Broccolini Celebration
Oven Warmup A cozy kitchen adventure begins by heating the oven to create the perfect roasting environment for our green veggie friends.
Broccolini Prep Gently trim the woody bottoms of the broccolini, creating elegant, slender stalks that will transform into a crispy masterpiece.
Flavor Infusion Drizzle olive oil generously over the broccolini, sprinkling with a whisper of salt and pepper to awaken their natural essence.
Roasting Magic Slide the broccolini into the hot oven, letting them dance and crisp up for about 10 minutes, turning once to ensure even golden edges.
Cheesy Finale Crumble sharp cheddar over the roasted broccolini, returning to the oven for a quick melt that creates irresistible cheese ribbons.
Bright Finish Pull from the oven and give a bright squeeze of fresh lemon, adding a zesty spark that makes the dish sing with vibrant flavor.
Tips to Play with Cheddar and Green Veggies
Slice broccolini stems uniformly to ensure even cooking and beautiful presentation.
Choose a sharp cheddar for intense flavor that complements the broccolini's earthy notes, creating a more robust taste profile.
Swap broccolini with broccoli florets or asparagus for a delightful variation that keeps the recipe exciting and adaptable.
Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds after roasting for a delicious crunch and nutty undertone that elevates the dish's texture and complexity.
Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch any olive oil drips and prevent oven mess, ensuring easy cleanup and perfect roasting conditions.
Serving Suggestions for This Bold Side Dish
Serve Alongside Hearty Proteins: Pair this roasted broccolini with grilled chicken breasts, roasted pork tenderloin, or pan-seared salmon for a complete and balanced meal that combines crisp vegetables with rich proteins.
Create a Rustic Brunch Spread: Complement the broccolini with soft scrambled eggs, crusty sourdough toast, and crispy bacon to transform this side dish into a delightful weekend brunch centerpiece that will impress family and friends.
Elevate as a Standalone Vegetarian Option: Enjoy the roasted broccolini as a standalone dish by adding a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds, creating a satisfying vegetarian main course that's packed with flavor and nutrition.
Present with Elegant Plating: Transfer the cheesy broccolini to a beautiful serving platter, garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a few sprigs of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add a touch of restaurant-style presentation to your home-cooked meal.
Broccolini Storage Tips That Keep It Crisp
Maximize Freshness: Store roasted broccolini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
Reheat with Care: Warm leftovers in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain the crispy texture and prevent soggy results.
Smart Meal Prep: Prepare broccolini earlier in the day, keeping the seasoned vegetables covered in the refrigerator until ready to roast for convenient dinner planning.
Cheese Melting Tip: Add cheese just before serving to prevent overcooking and maintain the perfect creamy, melted consistency.
Ina Garten’s roasted broccolini & cheddar recipe showcases simple ingredients with elegant technique. Crisp, golden edges and melted sharp cheddar create a delightful side dish home cooks will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 pounds / 680g broccolini
6 oz / 170g sharp aged white cheddar (e.g. Cabot)
4 tbsps / 60ml good olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 0.5 lemon
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F with the rack positioned in the middle for uniform roasting. Trim the broccolini stems, slicing thicker ones lengthwise and gently separating the florets.
Seasoning: Arrange broccolini on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
Initial Roasting: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 10 minutes, turning the broccolini midway to ensure consistent crispness and tenderness.
Cheese Integration: Slice Cheddar into rustic crumbles and scatter over the partially roasted broccolini. Return to the oven for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes slightly bubbly.
Finishing Touch: Remove from the oven and immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the roasted broccolini and melted cheese. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot, releasing an aromatic and appetizing fragrance.
Notes
Maximize Roasting Potential: Spread broccolini in a single layer to ensure even caramelization and prevent steaming, which helps achieve perfect crispy edges.
Stem Preparation Matters: Trimming and halving thicker stems creates uniform cooking, preventing undercooked or overcooked sections.
Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese during the final 3-4 minutes of roasting to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly melted, slightly bubbly texture.
Bright Finishing Touch: Fresh lemon juice adds a vibrant, tangy contrast to the rich roasted broccolini and melted cheddar, elevating the overall flavor profile.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.