Cooking with Broccoli

Naan breads are the secret to instant pizza-style flatbreads (no rolling or baking of dough required). Look for whole-grain naan, such as Stonefire, and treat as you would a prepared pizza crust.

Time: 40 minutes

Hands-Free: Vegetable cakes are usually crisped in a skillet on the stove, but we let a hot oven do the work instead to keep cooking quick and hands-free.

Serve with Sweet-and-Spicy Carrots and Peas

Frittatas lend themselves easily to vegetarian meals, allowing you to load in practically any veggies you like. Combining the eggs, cottage cheese, and roasted garlic in a food processor helps distribute the roasted garlic throughout the mixture for maximum favor. You can substitute broccoli rabe (for a pleasantly bitter bite) or broccoli florets (for a family-friendly take) in place of the Broccolini, if you like. Serve this colorful frittata with a simple green salad or oven-roasted potatoes.

Time: 40 minutes

Sauce It: Beyond pasta, spoon this veggie-packed sauce over breaded and baked eggplant slices or roasted spaghetti squash halves.

Serve with Black Pepper-Parmesan Wedge Salad

This hearty vegetarian dish is a fun twist on the usual takeout version of fried rice, incorporating lots of nutty flavor from toasted sesame oil, roasted cashews, peanut butter, and sesame seeds. The rice is drizzled with a savory, creamy peanut sauce that takes the whole thing right into indulgence territory. If you have a peanut allergy, opt for cashew, almond, or sunflower butter instead of peanut butter. Look for toasted sesame seeds on the spice aisle of your supermarket; it’s a great ingredient to keep on hand for busy nights because it saves a step.

This takeout favorite is typically laden with beef and coated with a sticky-sweet sauce. Our makeover makes crisp-tender snow peas, broccoli, and carrots the star, with seared flank steak as the supporting player. we also balanced the blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil in the sauce. Add a sliced red chile or a good pinch of crushed red pepper for a spicy sauce.

If broccoli rabe is a bit bitter for your family or if you have trouble finding it, chopped broccoli would be a delicious substitute. Serve with extra lemon for more zip.

Broccoli salad is usually drowning in a creamy, often very sweet, dressing and studded with 1/2 pound crumbled bacon, making it more about the creamy dressing and bacon than about the actual broccoli. Ours uses a combination of canola mayonnaise and Greek yogurt to keep the calories in check. We opt for center-cut bacon (a bit less of it) and swap the usual raisins for lower-sugar dried cranberries to pack a subtle punch of tart. The best part of this salad? The longer it sits, the better it gets.

This creamy-crisp salad saves over 269 calories, 5g sat fat, and 121mg sodium over traditional broccoli salad.

This side dish gets a sprinkling of nutty flavor from walnuts that are lightly dusted with powdered sugar and fried. The sweetness of the nuts plays off the bitter personality of the broccoli rabe. If you prefer a less bitter taste, substitute Broccolini. This hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale has big, almost fluffy florets and thinner stalks than broccoli. Whichever vegetable you use, blanching will soften the firm stalks to get them ready for a quick sauté to pick up flavor from pungent garlic and lemon zest. Make sure not to skip the instructions to rinse the broccoli rabe after it is blanched to stop the vegetable from overcooking.

Skip the potpie and try a fragrant, flaky casserole for your turkey leftovers. We ditch the pastry dough for a flaky, golden phyllo crust—a nice alternative to the pies and potpies you may be wary of by now. Don’t fret about getting the phyllo topper to fit snugly in the baking dish; any overhang will become delightfully crisp in the oven. Thawed phyllo can be finicky: Unroll very carefully, and keep remaining sheets under a slightly damp kitchen towel while you work. If you don't have leftover turkey from yesterday, use shredded rotisserie chicken.

Instead of adding broccoli florets to the pasta, a double serving is incorporated into the creamy sauce. Heat the broccoli and sear the chicken while the pasta cooking water comes to a boil. Frozen steam-in-bag broccoli florets store much longer than fresh, adding green-veggie heft to any main dish or acting as a simple ready to-go side.

This takeout favorite is fast and easy with a little prep help from the kids.

Pleasantly bitter broccoli rabe gives sliders a sophisticated edge and introduces a likely unfamiliar veggie in a delicious way. The Italian flavors of broccoli rabe and provolone cheese may sound like an unlikely combination but make for a truly great family-friendly meal. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, paprika, and Worcestershire, these succulent sliders are flavorful enough to please both kids and parents. Use Broccolini for a milder flavor. To create a truly terrific burger use quality 93% lean ground sirloin and premium whole wheat buns. Lean ground sirloin and reduced-fat cheese help keep fat and calories in check.

Russets aren't the only spuds worth stuffing. Smoke and heat, achieved with chili powder and ground red pepper, work particularly well with sweet potatoes. No need to overstock your dairy drawer—preshredded 2% reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese is a mild, slightly salty four-cheese blend that is all you need.

Finally, the pizza dough from night one becomes a crunchy calzone stuffed with fresh broccoli florets and rotisserie chicken dressed in a buttermilk dill sauce.

We traded white rice for whole-grain quinoa and kicked out any processed ingredients for a new take on this comfort classic. To add more flavor to quinoa, try toasting it. Serve with a simple green salad. You can freeze an extra pan of this whole-grain main for kid-friendly comfort or make it ahead of time for a busy weeknight.

Microwave-in-the-bag fresh vegetables help this meal come together lickety-split. A hot cast-iron skillet helps to crisp the bottom of the crust while the surface gets golden brown under the broiler—no baking required. Slice in the skillet and remove each piece for mess-free serving.

Bulgur is a great go-to grain because of its quick cook time and neutral flavor.

We like our version extra chunky, so we only puree about a third of the broccoli mixture. For a thinner, smoother consistency, add more soup to the blender.

A leggy cousin of broccoli, the delicate purple florets and thin stems of purple sprouting broccoli make an ideal topping for grilled pizza—perfect for sharing.

These quick, crispy fritters are packed with vegetables and get supercrisp in the pan. Omit the red pepper if you prefer a little less heat.

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables. If you can't find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

The red chiles add vibrant color and deep, fruity heat. If you can't find them, substitute ¼ cup thinly sliced Fresno peppers (which are much milder). Look for very young ginger; it will have thinner skin and a less fibrous interior.

Some version of broccoli, usually laden with cream and cheese, lands on many a Thanksgiving table. But this dish, with its beautifully balanced flavors, is much lighter—and vegan.

Warming winter flavors unite to create this simple and elegant weeknight dish.

We have the cleverest twist on tofu, turning it into crispy fake-out French fries kids (and adults) will love. We suggest you dunk the crunchy tofu sticks in the Sriracha aioli for a flavorful punch.

This is a great go-to pasta recipe that you can whip up in a pinch with essentially whatever you have on hand. You can try swapping the shrimp for white beans to turn the lemony seafood pasta into a vibrant vegetarian entrée.

Part pesto, part romesco, fully delicious. This simple spread is great slathered over grilled bread, as a dip for raw veggies, or as a sandwich condiment. Make ahead and keep for up to three days, but leave out the lemon juice until you're ready to serve so it doesn't turn the broccoli brown.

This nut-free pesto trades traditional pine nuts and Parmesan for broccoli and nutty-tasting pecorino Romano. Anchovy fillets add meatiness, but you can skip them if you like.

The sizzling fat from bacon crisps the vegetables and coats them in a layer of smoky flavor.

Instead of using condensed cream soup and processed cheese, we make a luscious white sauce with a touch of Parmesan to bind the casserole, and we use all the cheddar on top. You get a wonderful blanket of gooey cheese atop this pot of comfort.

Dress baked sweet potatoes with broccoli, barley, and cheddar cheese for kid-appeal and a hearty boost of nutrition.

This healthy whole-grain spin on a comfort food classic is indulgent, creamy, and a guaranteed family-pleaser.

One of the few vegetables kids will eat is broccoli, so find new ways to use it. Here, you can cook broccoli florets the way your kids like it, and then shave the stalk into a slaw for you.

Anchovies break down, or "melt," into the warm olive oil, adding savory depth to this simple pasta toss. For a vegetarian dish, substitute 3 tablespoons chopped kalamata olives for the anchovies. If you boil too much pasta tonight, set some aside before tossing with the olive oil mixture. Reheat on another night by dunking the cold noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds before tossing with your sauce.

Traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 800 calories per serving, but we’re serving up this classic comfort dish with a fraction of the calories.

Orange rind and five-spice powder perfume the dish with sweet notes that are countered by a hit of red pepper heat. Decrease the pepper for kids or folks who prefer to walk on the mild side.

This Asian-inspired dish has a hearty sauce that coats the rice, meat, and vegetables perfectly.

A flavor-packed solution for your busy weeknights, Cheesy Penne with Broccoli is a kid-pleasing dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

"Fresh" is a word not often associated with lasagna, yet that's exactly the sensation this one offers. Sweet-as-candy grape tomatoes burst and release their moisture and flavor, while earthy-bitter broccoli rabe and milder Broccolini balance the taste.

Although this recipe yields a large amount, leftovers keep well for a couple of days; top with noodles just before serving so they stay crisp.

Traditional broccoli-cheese soup has nearly 400 calories and more than 18g saturated fat per serving. Ours has less than half the calories and one-fourth of the saturated fat.

Brighten up your table with this colorful side. Orange sections and crushed red pepper perk up steamed broccoli.

Just a touch of honey adds a slight sweetness that rounds out the flavor in this quick stir-fry. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before adding them to the wok so they brown nicely. Serve with hot cooked brown rice.

Broccoli florets add texture to this creamy pasta dish. If you like, add a dash of crushed red pepper with the shrimp. When shopping for shellfish, look for the Marine Stewardship Council stamp to ensure you’re making a sustainable choice.

Pan seared shrimp and broccoli come together in this favored pasta dish. Ready in just 20 minutes, you have time to enjoy this scampi even on your busiest days.

Kids like the chewy gnocchi, sweet broccoli, and crunchy nuts in this easy-to-make pasta dish. Look for shelf-stable packaged gnocchi with the dried pasta, and to cut costs, swap in chopped almonds or pecans for pine nuts.

This dish makes great use of broccoli stalks in a riff on carpaccio, which is traditionally a dish of thinly sliced raw meat. This standout salad will win over the entire family. You can use a mandoline to make easy work of slicing the broccoli thinly and evenly.

This quick and easy side dish combines broccoli and cheddar cheese for a delicious mixture that kids will want to devour.

A takeout favorite gets a super fast (and healthy) makeover that everyone will love. Savory sirloin gets a splash of vibrant green and kick of fresh flavor with broccoli florets and sliced green onions. Serve over brown rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce add savory depth to this creamy mac. If you can't find large elbows, regular elbows will work.

Crushed red pepper brings the heat in this Spicy Chile and Garlic Broccoli recipe. Serve this healthy side with lean beef or chicken for a well-rounded and delicious meal.

The whole family will love this cheesy chicken and broccoli rice dish. Don't leave out the almonds–they add flavor and crunch to this one-dish meal. Serve with cremini mushrooms sautéed in butter and white wine and seasoned with fresh thyme.

Traditionally a holiday, family-style dish, these individual casseroles are so delicious and easy to make that your family will be asking for them year-round.

This one-dish meal is full of flavor and will win over adults and children alike.

Simple yet sophisticated, this broccoli side goes great with a variety of meats and other vegetables.

Put dinner on the table fast by simply roasting shrimp and broccoli together for a quick, flavorful meal.

Tangy dijon mustard, fresh thyme, pine nuts, and lemon transform boring broccoli in this recipe that will satisfy even picky eaters.

Though this Asian stir-fry requires a bit of time and preparation, it will mix up your traditional weeknight dishes in a way your family will definitely enjoy.

Count on having dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, and serve this soup the moment it's done for the best results. In fact, if you wait, you'll find it gets thicker with time. If you have leftovers, you will want to thin the soup with a little chicken broth or milk to the desired consistency.

A classic French dish, potato gratin combines with the American favorite, broccoli-cheese casserole, for a tasty twist on both. Make sure all the potato slices are about the same thickness so they cook evenly.

Chicken and rice dishes are common family meals. This one gives new life to leftover grilled chicken. Slightly browning the broccoli deepens the taste of the dish.

Broccoli remains crisp-tender in this recipe, though you can substitute any leftover cooked vegetables. Assemble the casserole the night before. Cover, refrigerate, and bake in the morning.

Vegetable lasagna is a crowd-pleaser and a classic make-ahead dish. You can use precut onions, matchstick-cut carrots, and broccoli, in addition to precooked noodles, to speed up preparation.

For crisper broccoli, remove it from the boiling water after three minutes. Serve with a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Crisp Italian bread rounds out the menu with this shrimp salad. Using bagged broccoli florets cuts several minutes of preparation time.

A sprinkling of breadcrumbs makes for a pleasant little crunch on this delicious, comforting casserole dish.

Processed cheese melts beautifully, giving this 30-minute broccoli and cheese soup a smooth texture and mild flavor.

Sweet, crunchy apple and broccoli create a refreshing, light side dish. Prepare this salad up to eight hours in advance for best flavor and texture.

Using bagged broccoli florets and preshredded carrots all but eliminates the prep with this vegetarian entrée. If you want to add meat, use chopped chicken or thin strips of flank steak.

The bold, straightforward flavors of garlic and crushed red pepper make this classic Mediterranean broccoli dish appealing.

This top-rated shrimp-and-broccoli pasta recipe is super simple, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Dress up the meal with a glass of light pinot noir.

In this linguine dish, sliced garlic gives off a mellower flavor and becomes part of the terrific texture. Unlike the light amount of sauce served with most pastas, when combining clam sauce and linguine, there should be a little extra broth.

This simple version of a popular Chinese takeout dish will work with just about any variety of vegetables.

This simple meatless stir-fry of broccoli and tofu has a subtle yet addictive sauce, To cut preparation time, use precut broccoli florets.

Crisp Polenta Croutons add flair to this simple Broccoli Rabe side dish.

Sweet golden raisins lessen the bitterness of the popular Italian vegetable, a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.

Pickled onions, feta, and capers add bright briny pop to an earthy beet and broccoli salad. Steam the broccoli while you are cooling and peeling the beets. Look for beets that are about 2 inches in diameter to match our steaming cook time. Don’t toss the broccoli stalks. They steam up even more tender and juicy than the florets.

So your kids love broccoli and cheese? Great! Here's a fun way to add a little pizzazz to the classic side dish: prepared horseradish. A bottle of prepared horseradish goes a long way, and it can add lots of flavor interest to dishes, from soups to cocktails. Next time you're looking to add a little excitement to your chicken and vegetable dinner, spoon a little horseradish into the sauce.