We are always looking for easy side dishes we can prepare fast and this parmesan au gratin broccoli is definitely one of the amazing savory ones. Crunchy, salty crust with creamy broccoli is marriage made in heaven! 🙂
Broccoli is the vegetable we love to eat. I saw that this dish some people call broccoli gratin or some au gratin broccoli.
Sounds the same, right! 🙂
Personally I feel like au gratin adds that unexpected crunch and cheesiness to the veggies. Plus its also delicious a day after. Heats up really well in non sticky pan.
What is broccoli gratin
The gratin comes from French language and originally means the crust that is formed in the pan during the baking. That thin golden brown crust is made of various ingredients depending on the territory where is being cooked.
Broccoli au gratin is the dish that is served with boiled or steamed broccoli which has a crunchy delicious crust made of breadcrumbs, fresh grated parmesan cheese, aromatic herbs, lemon zest and drizzle of olive oil.
How to make parmesan au gratin broccoli
I love the simplicity of the gratin dishes. You can play with so many vegetables like we do in Italy.
Don’t do the gratin only on potatoes and broccoli. You should also try gratin on vegetables like:
- artichokes,
- fennel,
- Brussel sprouts,
- carrots,
- leeks,
- tomatoes,
- peppers,
- cauliflower and other.
Tastes amazing and it gives a veggies a whole new look.
To make parmesan au gratin broccoli (broccoli gratin casserole) I have boiled them shortly in salted water, drained carefully the water (I have scooped them out) and have placed them in lightly greased baking tray.
Then I have used my delicious Italian Bread crumbs mix and have added grated parmesan cheese and have mixed all together.
Add a pinch or two of salt in the crumbs and grated lemon peel. Mix all and place over the broccoli.
Give it a nice drizzle of olive oil on top and it’s ready for the oven.
As a result you will get broccoli au gratin with cheesy breadcrumbs which are so yummy. The cheese and crumbs will form a beautiful crust and will give the dish that special kick.
This broccoli gratin recipe is without flour or cream and as a consequence very easy to digest.
What is the difference between gratin and scalloped
Gratin is made from bread crumbs and scalloped is with cream or milk.
My broccoli gratin recipe includes parmesan as I love the cheese, but if you want to go all Vegan you can skip the cheese and just do the breadcrumbs, aromatic herbs, lemon zest and olive oil.
The broccoli gratin is real simple, and easy to make dish. My advice is to try to make it. Then once you master one vegetable try other ones. They are all amazing and deliciously unique.
How to store broccoli au gratin
You can easily store this dish in the fridge and reheat it next day. You can reheat them in the oven or in the frying pan with a tiny bit of olive oil.
Toasted bread crumbs will taste great reheated.
As this dish is so easy and fast to make I don’t freeze it. I just make it when I feel like eating some.
Plus don’t stick to the same vegetable, try the variety.
You would be surprised how delicious are gratin fennel or artichokes. Try it!
Did you make this Easy Parmesan Au Gratin Broccoli Recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #italiankitchenstories
Italian Kitchen Stories
Easy Parmesan Au Gratin Broccoli Recipe with Italian twist on can become your favorite side dish. You can make it all year round and can serve it with variety of main courses. If you already love broccoli, this will put it to another level. Trust me! 🙂
10 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
25 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 kg of broccoli (2 pounds)
- 30 grams (1.7 oz) of fresh Parmesan
- 100 grams (3.5 oz) of Italian bread crumbs mix (check my recipe of how to make them)
- 3-4 table spoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tea spoon of salt (or two pinches)
- zest of one lemon
Instructions
- Steam or boil broccoli in salted water. You can leave them a bit crispy and not fully cooked.
- Scoop the broccoli and place in baking tray which you have previously greased with olive oil.
- Mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt and spread on top of the broccoli.
- Drizzle all with extra virgin olive oil and place in preheated oven to 200 C (350 F) and bake for 15-20 min or until you notice that you are getting golden brown crust.
- Serve hot.
- Additionally you can add some lemon juice for that extra lemon flavor.
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