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A tray of golden-brown smashed broccoli topped with melted kashar cheese, served with a side of garlic yogurt dip.

Crispy Baked Cheesy Broccoli (Smash Style)

509kcal
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Prep 10 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 25 minutes
A game-changing broccoli recipe where florets are boiled, smashed, seasoned with spices, and baked with a generous layer of melted cheese.
Servings 2 people
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Turkish

Ingredients

The Main Star
  • 1 lb Fresh broccoli florets (about 6–8 cups)
  • Water (for boiling)
The Flavorful Sauce
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Red pepper flakes or paprika
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
The Topping & Dip
  • 1.5 cups Shredded kashar cheese or mozzarella
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt
  • 1-2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Fresh dill, finely chopped

Equipment

  • Large Pot: For parboiling the broccoli florets.
  • Baking Sheet & Parchment Paper: To ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
  • Flat-Bottomed Glass: For that perfect "smash."
  • Small Mixing Bowl: To prepare the olive oil and spice blend.

Method

  1. Cut the broccoli into medium-sized florets. Don't make them too small; you want enough "body" to smash them later.
    Cutting a head of fresh green broccoli into medium-sized florets on a wooden cutting board.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the florets and cook until they are soft and vibrant green. Use a spoon to push them down occasionally so they cook evenly.
  3. Once softened, drain the broccoli well. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and drizzle a tiny bit of oil on it.
    Tender, boiled broccoli florets drained well and placed on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  4. Place the boiled florets on the tray. Take a glass with a flat bottom and gently press down on each floret to smash it into a flat "pancake." This creates more edges for that perfect crunch!
    Using the flat bottom of a drinking glass to gently press down and smash the boiled broccoli florets.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the oil, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Using a brush, apply this seasoned oil generously over the top of each smashed broccoli.
    Brushing a red seasoned oil mixture with paprika and pepper onto the flattened broccoli pieces.
  6. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated kashar (or mozzarella) cheese over each piece.
    Generously topping the seasoned smashed broccoli with grated Kashar or mozzarella cheese.
  7. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F). Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and has those beautiful golden-brown spots.
    The cheesy broccoli roasting inside the oven, showing the cheese melting and turning golden brown.
  8. While it bakes, mix your yogurt, minced garlic, and dill to make a creamy dip. Serve the hot broccoli straight from the oven and dip away!
    Finished crispy baked cheesy broccoli served hot with a side bowl of garlic and dill yogurt dip.

Nutrition

Calories509kcalCarbohydrates6gProtein31gFat40gSaturated Fat14gPolyunsaturated Fat3gMonounsaturated Fat21gTrans Fat0.01gCholesterol75mgSodium1900mgPotassium255mgFiber0.1gSugar4gVitamin A683IUVitamin C4mgCalcium544mgIron1mg

Video

Notes

Boil the broccoli just until slightly tender (about 3–4 minutes). Overcooking will make it too soft and it won’t crisp well when baked.

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