Broccoli may not come across as a key ingredient for soul food, but believe me when I say that these recipes will take what some consider a bland vegetable and turn it into a savory, comforting delight. Even the pickiest eaters in your inner circle will ask for seconds come mealtime. Whether you are craving a sauce-coated french-fry-style appetizer, a lavish fish and salad platter, some comforting soup, or a plate full of pasta indulgence, I’ve got you covered! Refresh your palate with a flavorful bowl of bite-size broccoli in this incredible salad. This quick salad is tossed with juicy fruit, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits, along with the crisp veggies. Additionally, the silky sweet mayo-yogurt dressing has a fun zing to it. This recipe pairs perfectly with hot soups like a homemade cream of chicken soup. It also goes great with homemade bread, and I like to pair it with garlic knots. You can store this salad for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps best if you keep the dressing separately and add it only when ready to eat. 2. Broccoli Cheese Soup Warm up the winter chill with a delectable spoonful of soothing Broccoli Cheese Soup! Also, the cheddar cheese garnish and soft broccoli florets peeping through a luscious milky base is a mouthwatering sight. And when you get a whiff of the Creole Seasoning and Italian Seasoning, you’ll swear you died and went to heaven. Turn this soup into an entire meal by pairing it with some easy No-Knead Bread. You can also make a side salad to go with it, like this simple tossed salad. Broccoli cheese soup should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored properly, it stays fresh for 2-3 days. 3. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Dig into a delicious pan full of Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! It packs a hearty punch with the goodness of meat, yummy green veggies, and soft fluffy rice. Moreover, the buttery-rich sauce flavored with garlic, onion, chicken broth, and Creole Seasoning enhances the taste marvelously. Serve this casserole up with a tossed salad and homemade garlic bread for the win. Prepare it fresh or freeze it to serve the family a hassle-free homemade lunch or dinner for those days you’re short on time! Store leftover chicken broccoli casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days. 4. Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Ready in 20 minutes, this quick Beef Broccoli Stir Fry is inspired by Asian cuisine. Allow this saucy delight a few hours of marinating time to soak up the familiar umami flavors. This recipe also shares the secret to tenderizing an inexpensive meat cut. This recipe is definitely a must-try stir-fried dish where beef and broccoli are brought together exceptionally well. This dish goes perfectly with plain white rice, but you could also pair it with flavorful yellow rice if you feel adventurous. You can also finish off this meal with ginger tea, which aids digestion and tastes fantastic. Store your beef broccoli stir-fry in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. You can microwave this dish to reheat, but it tastes even better if you heat it on the stovetop. 5. Spicy Roast Garlic Broccoli Are you looking for a no-fuss yet yummy broccoli dish? Then this Spicy Roast Garlic Broccoli is the one for you, with the heat of Cajun seasoning and the aromatic deliciousness of garlic. This recipe makes a great side for almost any meal. I love to pair it with chicken dishes and a potato side too! Try it with Roasted Potatoes and Carrots and Baked Chicken Leg Quarters, and you’ll have a new family favorite. I love making a double batch so I can freeze half of it. It lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days and is good cold, too. 6. Kale Salad Kale Salad becomes the star of the show when it’s drizzled with this white creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. This slightly sweet purple cabbage adds a gorgeous pop of color with an appealing crunch from the kale and Brussels sprouts. Interestingly, while most salads use broccoli florets, this recipe uses their stalks. So no more throwing away those broccoli stalks! Woohoo! For a luscious meal, serve kale salad with a fillet of oven-baked salmon and fondant potatoes. Your family won’t even notice they’re having a healthy meal; that’s how good these dishes taste! Kale salad keeps in the fridge for a day or two if you store it in an airtight container. Keep the poppy seed dressing separate until you are ready to serve to help it last even longer. 7. Chicken Pasta Bake Take your regular pasta up a notch with this wholesome casserole! The al dente pasta teams up wonderfully with the tender chicken and broccoli crunch. It is wrapped in a mouthwatering creamy sauce and baked to achieve melted cheese perfection. The thyme and Creole Cajun Seasoning aroma makes it extra delicious. This one-pot meal goes excellent with homemade breadsticks. You could also serve up a wedge salad for a starter. Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for 2-3 days. 8. Chicken Divan Wear your apron for a fresh take on the authentic Chicken Divan! Steering clear of canned soup and mayonnaise, this recipe stands out for its beautifully seasoned cheesy sauce prepared with milk and chicken stock. The pan-fried chicken and steamed broccoli florets are exotically baked into a lip-smacking lunch. Furthermore, the butter-toasted Panko breadcrumbs create a delectable crisp topping. Make this meal extra-refreshing by serving it with some sweet peach tea. It also goes perfectly with a side of potato salad. You can prepare this fantastic broccoli casserole dish ahead and reheat it right before mealtime during busy weekdays! Leftovers (if you have any) stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container. 9. Bang Bang Broccoli (Vegan)
Do you wish to relish a broccoli appetizer that tastes extraordinary, is vegan-friendly, and doesn’t look green? Then you’ve got it with this Bang Bang Broccoli! Dipped in a yummy batter and coated with Panko breadcrumbs, then baked or air-fried broccoli florets are simply divine. To make your movie night dinner more special, deep fry the prepped broccoli, then serve it with a bowl of coconut fried rice. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat this appetizer in the air fryer or a toaster oven for the crispiest results. 10. Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
You can’t go wrong with a perfectly cooked pasta dish! Sausage and Broccoli Pasta introduces gluten-free pasta with broccoli and meaty Italian sausage. Moreover, the ease of prepping the minimal ingredients and getting the dish ready within minutes makes it a fabulous pick to cook in large portions for friends and family. Like so many other pasta dishes, sausage and broccoli pasta go fabulously with homemade bread like this focaccia bread. Fresh carrot raisin salad also goes well with it. Store leftovers in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for 2-3 days when refrigerated. 11. Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Toss up this Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad to relish incredible flavors and textures! Gather the ingredients in a bowl, then mix it with the smooth mayo vinaigrette for a tasty meal in 10 minutes. The crunchiness of raw cauliflower and broccoli florets is kicked up a notch or two with the nuttiness of toasted walnuts, crispy bacon, and tart cranberry. Try this salad paired with a pork dish, like these savory smoked pork chops or baked chicken leg quarters. Add some roast garlic mashed potatoes on the side for a complete meal. Yum! This salad tastes best when chilled in the fridge and enjoyed on a summer afternoon. Store it in an airtight container for 2-3 days. 12. Butternut Squash Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Has it ever crossed your mind that mac and cheese can be made without cheese? Keeping the taste as tempting and delicious as the original cheese version, this recipe is a lip-smacking remake of the classic soul food! The earthy nuttiness of steamed butternut squash blended with onion’s sweetness, the bold minty taste of thyme, and plant-based milk create the rich finger-licking sauce. Honestly, this dish works as a side for just about any meal. Try it paired with skillet cornbread and pea salad for a full dinner. Leftover mac and cheese will last 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
