"Cheesy" Broccoli
By Danielle Shea-Tan, MS, CHHC
Functional Family Nutritionist
You thought broccoli was the star of this dish, but it’s the vitamin-loaded nutritional yeast that makes broccoli taste both tangy and cheesy-like!
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Like cauliflower, broccoli is a vegetable with serious superpowers. Just 1 cup of cooked broccoli contains more vitamin C than an orange and almost half the recommended daily intake of vitamin A and folate. Broccoli’s health benefits abound with studies that find eating mini green trees reduces your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, improves bone strength and much more. Danielle’s recipe combines the broccoli with healthy fat from olive oil and nutrient-dense nutritional yeast (a natural source of protein, B vitamins, and some minerals) to create a dairy-free, healthy version of the traditional broccoli and cheese that we all grew up eating.
"Cheesy" Broccoli
Yields
2-3 cups
Cook Time
30 - 40 minutes
Total Time
35 - 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli, chopped into 1”-2” florets*
- ¼ to ½ cup nutritional yeast, preferably non-synthetic and non-GMO
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ to ½ tsp. Celtic sea salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- In large bowl, massage oil into broccoli florets using your hands.
- Spread broccoli in a single layer on a sheet pan or in large baking dish. Sprinkle nutritional yeast over broccoli as evenly as possible. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes. The broccoli should be fork tender and a tiny bit crispy. You can increase baking time as needed, or broil for 1-2 minutes, but watch closely so as not to burn it.
- Set aside any broccoli for baby. Sprinkle sea salt over remaining broccoli and mix well to distribute the salt evenly.
Note*If using BLW method for your baby, keep some florets on the large size (2”-3”) so your baby can hold and nibble safely.
For the ages
For Babies: BLW
Don’t let broccoli get boring for your little one, use this recipe for a completely tangy twist!
Portion Size:
1 large floret (2”-3” in length for easy grasping)
Ingredients:
broccoli, olive oil, nutritional yeast
Serving Tip(s):Serve 1 - 2 large-sized florets (large enough for baby to hold and nibble on) of “cheesy” broccoli in tiny bowl and let your baby enjoy! Or serve in a tiny mat alongside your favorite main dish such as To Herb or Not to Herb Chicken Thighs.
For Babies: Traditional
Your little one will be excited to try this tangy take on an old favorite.
Portion Size:
1 - 2 tablespoons
Ingredients:
broccoli, olive oil, nutritional yeast
Serving Tip(s):In a food processor, puree ¼ cup broccoli with desired liquid such as breast milk or water, adding 1 tsp. at a time until preferred texture is achieved. Serve in a tiny bowl with a tiny spoon and help baby try using the spoon herself!
For Toddlers
This recipe is far from boring, let your toddler dive into a new way to eat broccoli!
Portion Size:
3 - 4 tablespoons, chopped
Ingredients:
broccoli, olive oil, nutritional yeast, Celtic sea salt
Serving Tip(s):In a happy mat, serve chopped “cheesy” broccoli alongside your favorite main like Black Bean Bean and Sweet Potato Cakes.
For Grown-Ups
A broccoli recipe that you might need to double to ensure your family gets a taste!
Portion Size:
½ to 1 cup
Ingredients:
broccoli, olive oil, nutritional yeast, Celtic sea salt
Serving Tip(s):Serve “cheesy” broccoli warm alongside your favorite main dish such as Black Bean and Sweet Potato Cakes.
Happy Eating!
Danielle Shea-Tan, MS, CHHC
Functional Family Nutritionist
Danielle is passionate about helping families ditch processed foods and start making real, wholesome food that is both simple and delicious. She blows our minds with fascinating "nutritional nuggets" about foods and herbs. Danielle also recently wrote a book called "52 Small Changes for the Family," an inspiring guide that helps families make one small change each week to improve their overall happiness and health. You can learn more about Danielle at HealthyMamas.com.
