Delicious Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Easy Side
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is a flavorful transformation of simple broccoli florets into an indulgent side dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it makes healthy eating utterly delicious and satisfying.
- Author: Crumella
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- 1 to 1.5 pounds of fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter or olive oil
- 4–6 cloves of freshly minced garlic
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Prepare Your Broccoli: Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and steam them until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes, or blanch in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes before plunging into an ice bath. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (or heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil) over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the Parmesan: Reduce heat to low and stir in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine and Season: Add the cooked broccoli florets to the skillet and toss gently to coat in the sauce. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy fresh off the stove, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: To achieve perfect broccoli texture, avoid overcooking it. For a smoother sauce, ensure the heavy cream is at room temperature before adding, and stir in the Parmesan off direct heat.