Description
This Mediterranean Broccoli Bake is a comforting dish that combines vibrant broccoli with rich feta and kalamata olives, creating a delightful explosion of flavors. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight side or a centerpiece for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups broccoli florets (1 medium head)
- ½ cup red peppers (chopped)
- ½ cup kalamata olives (pitted & halved)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Start by washing the broccoli thoroughly. Cut the crowns away from the large stems and break the crown into smaller florets. You want uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
- Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket. Add about one inch of water to a pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once the water is boiling, place the steamer basket inside the pot. Cover with a lid and steam for exactly five minutes. This step is essential—don’t overcook, as you want the broccoli to retain some crunch.
- While the broccoli steams, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. This ensures the oven is hot enough to give the cheeses that beautiful, golden crust.
- After five minutes, carefully remove the broccoli from the steamer basket and transfer it to a baking dish. The florets should be bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
- Sprinkle the chopped red peppers and halved kalamata olives over the broccoli. Drizzle with three tablespoons of olive oil, ensuring everything is lightly coated. This adds flavor and helps the cheese to melt beautifully.
- Top the mixture with ¾ cup of crumbled feta cheese and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese. The combination of these cheeses will create a rich, gooey topping.
- Add one teaspoon of fresh dill on top. This herb adds a fragrant note that brightens the dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges of the cheese start to bubble and turn golden brown. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the additional teaspoon of dill on top for a fresh finish. Serve immediately while it’s warm and gooey.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Don’t oversteam the broccoli! It should be vibrant and slightly crunchy before baking. For a more robust flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or zest to the olive oil before drizzling it over the veggies.