8 Broccoli Recipes for Soups, Sides and Family Dinners

Broccoli can be the crunchy base of a salad, the main ingredient in a soup, or part of a full dinner with chicken, beef or rice. These eight broccoli recipes cover those different jobs, so you can choose according to the meal you want to make.

Start with the raw broccoli and cauliflower salad for a crisp side, compare the two soups for different textures, or choose a casserole, quiche or stir-fry when broccoli needs to be part of the main dish.

How to choose your recipe

Choose by the role broccoli will play on the plate. The raw salad and béchamel gratin fit the side-dish category. The chicken and rice casserole, vegetable quiche, beef and broccoli, and chicken stir-fry offer main-dish formats. For soup, the plain broccoli version and the cheddar version give you two distinct directions: one without cream, the other built around cheese.

Explore the recipes

1. Crunchy raw side

Raw broccoli and cauliflower with lemon dressing, for a crisp salad rather than a cooked side.

1

Crunchy Raw Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Dressing

This raw vegetable salad combines small broccoli and cauliflower florets with carrots, radishes and zucchini in a lemon, olive oil and basil dressing. It is a crunchy side for grilled food or a cold lunch spread, with parsley added at the end. The key is to dry the vegetables and cut them small enough for one bite, so the dressing coats them instead of pooling beneath oversized pieces.

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2. Chicken and rice dinner

A baked casserole made with already-cooked chicken and rice, broccoli and homemade cheddar sauce, without canned soup.

2

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

A good chicken and rice casserole should come out creamy, with separate grains of rice and broccoli that still has some bite. This version starts with cooked chicken, cooked rice and a homemade cheddar sauce. Drain the broccoli carefully before mixing: trapped water is what turns a generous sauce into a puddle under the topping.

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3. Beef and broccoli dinner

Beef and broccoli served with rice, for a main dish built around the vegetable and meat together.

3

Fast Homemade Beef and Broccoli with Rice

Beef and broccoli is a quick stir-fry made with thin slices of beef, crisp-tender broccoli, onion, garlic, ginger, and a glossy soy-based sauce. This version is different from a creamy beef dish or a crispy fried beef recipe because the sauce stays light, shiny, and savoury, and the beef is cooked quickly instead of simmered. I make it when I want a protein-rich weeknight dinner that still feels like takeout, but with a better texture in the meat and vegetables.

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4. Soup without cream

A smooth broccoli soup with vegetable broth and spinach, made without cream.

4

Easy Broccoli Soup

This broccoli soup is a smooth vegetable soup made with broccoli, onion, vegetable broth and a small handful of spinach for color. It is lighter than a broccoli cheddar soup, quicker than a slow-simmered vegetable soup, and useful when you want something warm without making a heavy cream-based meal.

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5. Vegetable quiche

Broccoli joins tomatoes and olives in a vegetable quiche.

5

Easy Vegetarian Vegetable Quiche with Broccoli, Tomatoes and Olives

This vegetable quiche is a savory baked tart made with a flaky homemade crust, a creamy egg filling, broccoli, tomatoes, olives, and cheese. It is the kind of vegetarian recipe I like for brunch, lunch, or a simple supper because it feels generous without needing meat.

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6. Cheddar soup

A homemade broccoli soup with cheddar, for a cheese-focused alternative to the plain soup.

6

Broccoli Cheddar Soup without Velveeta

Broccoli cheddar soup is a creamy vegetable soup made with broccoli, onions, broth, milk, cream, and cheddar cheese. This version is different because it skips processed cheese and uses real sharp cheddar for a cleaner, richer flavor. I make it when I want something cozy enough for winter, but still simple enough for a weeknight lunch or dinner.

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7. Béchamel and cheese side

Broccoli baked with béchamel and cheese, to serve as a gratin alongside the main dish.

7

Broccoli Gratin With Creamy Béchamel and Cheese (Oven-Baked)

Broccoli gratin is a baked dish made with blanched broccoli, a thick béchamel sauce, and a generous layer of cheese browned in the oven. What makes this version different is that the sauce is calibrated to stay creamy (not runny) and the broccoli is cooked quickly so it keeps a pleasant bite. It’s the kind of recipe you make for an easy weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend meal, or a make-ahead side dish anytime of year.

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8. Chicken stir-fry

A stovetop chicken and broccoli stir-fry, distinct from the baked rice casserole.

8

Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Better Than Takeout, 30 Minutes)

This chicken and broccoli stir-fry is a fast, skillet-based meal built for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful, protein-rich, and lighter than takeout. Tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a glossy savory sauce come together quickly, making it an easy year-round recipe that works just as well on a cold winter night as it does during warmer months.

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Before you start

• The chicken and rice casserole starts with already-cooked chicken and rice. Include that preparation when planning the meal.
• For the raw salad, dry the vegetables thoroughly and cut them into bite-size pieces so the dressing coats them well.
• In the cheddar soup, add the freshly grated cheese gradually off the heat, as the recipe directs.
• For the broccoli gratin, drain the blanched broccoli and let excess moisture evaporate before adding the béchamel.

Frequently asked questions

Which broccoli recipe can I make without cooking the broccoli?

The crunchy broccoli and cauliflower salad uses the vegetables raw with a lemon dressing. Follow that recipe for the preparation and dressing.

What is the difference between the two broccoli soups?

The easy broccoli soup is a version made without cream. The broccoli cheddar soup adds a cheese-based direction. Choose according to the flavor and ingredients you want, then follow the selected recipe.

For more menu ideas, explore our more vegetable side dishes.