Need an easy, nutritious and delicious side dish? Roasted broccoli and carrots are the perfect addition to any meal.
This easy recipe brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables while giving them a satisfying crunch. Plus, it's super simple side dish making it perfect for weeknight family dinner or as a meal prep staple. You can use this roasting method for a lot of my other favorite vegetables like butternut squash or roasted brussels sprouts.
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Ingredients
Fresh Broccoli - Roasted broccoli is one of my favorite ways to eat this yummy vegetable. I love how the florets get browned, crispy and almost nutty tasting. The texture is far superior to the steamed version.
Fresh Carrots - Carrots compliment the nutty almost bitter broccoli by adding a pleasant sweet flavor, which gets concentrated when roasted. I love the play on savory and sweet for this easy side dish. You can use baby carrots or peel and cut your own!
Olive Oil - This is my go to oil, but feel free to swap a neutral oil if that's all you have on hand. Do not use butter however, because it will burn at such a high oven temperature. I would avoid extra virgin olive oil, since the delicate flavors will be lost with the high oven temperatures. Save it for salad dressings or a finishing oil.
Salt - Coarse kosher salt is what I use for all my recipes, so be mindful if you're using standard table salt. You may want to cut the amount of salt used in this recipe because a fine salt will be more salty.
Black Pepper - Fresh cracked pepper adds a lot to this simple dish, but coarse ground pepper will also do just fine.
Lemon (optional) - I like the brightness lemon brings to this finished dish, but some people prefer to leave it off. When in doubt, just have some lemon wedges on the side.
Additional Seasonings (optional) - Feel free to add a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or even red pepper flakes to this simple roasted broccoli recipe to mix it up.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. A high temperature is key to achieving that perfect caramelization., but you don't want it too high since the smoke point of olive oil is generally 410 degrees.
Prepare the Vegetables
Wash the fresh produce thoroughly. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Peel the carrots and slice them into sticks, roughly the same size as the broccoli florets to ensure even cooking.
Season the Vegetables
In a large bowl or on the baking sheet, combine the broccoli and carrots in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.
Arrange on Baking Sheet
Spread the vegetables out in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan as this can cause the vegetables to steam rather than roast. You can place a piece of parchment paper on the pan before adding the vegetables for easy clean up.
Roast in the Oven
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and have crispy, caramelized edges. Note that if you cut your broccoli into smaller pieces the amount of time to roast might be shorter.
Serve and Enjoy
Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. For an extra burst of flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the roasted vegetables before serving. Enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge.
Tips for Perfect Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
Uniform Sizing: Ensure all pieces are similar in size for even roasting.
High Heat: Roasting at high temperatures helps to caramelize the vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness, but be aware of the smoke point of whatever oil you decide to use.
Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the vegetables out on the baking sheet to prevent steaming and achieve a nice crisp texture.
Season Generously: Don't be shy with the seasoning. The right amount of salt and spices brings out the best in the roast vegetables.
Get the Recipe
Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Need an easy, nutritious and delicious side dish? Roasted broccoli and carrots are the perfect addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped roughly the same size
- 3 cups carrots, chopped into 2" pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Toss the chopped vegetables in the olive oil and salt and pepper.
- Spread onto a baking sheet in an even, single layer.
- Roast for 25 - 30 minutes until the broccoli has some browned crispy edges.
Notes
Uniform Sizing: Ensure all pieces are similar in size for even roasting.
High Heat: Roasting at high temperatures helps to caramelize the vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness, but be aware of the smoke point of whatever oil you decide to use.
Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the vegetables out on the baking sheet to prevent steaming and achieve a nice crisp texture.
Season Generously: Don't be shy with the seasoning. The right amount of salt and spices brings out the best in the roast vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: One Pan
- Cuisine: American
Let us know how your veggies turn out in the comments below! Do you have any special twists or additions to this recipe? We'd love to hear from you. Also, you could tag a photo on Instagram @hungrywaitress and I'll be sure to share it. Happy cooking!
Variations
Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the vegetables during the last 5 minutes of roasting for a cheesy twist.
Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the roasted vegetables for a tangy-sweet flavor.
Herbs: Experiment with different fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano, or dill for added aroma and taste.
What should you serve with Roasted Broccoli and Carrots?
Roasted broccoli and carrots are a great side dish that pairs well with almost any main course. They are not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and nutrients, making them a healthy choice for the whole family.
Liz says
We eat this on repeat! SO easy and delicious