Broccoli for Dinner? These Recipes Make It Easy

Broccoli doesn’t need to be plain or pushed to the side of the plate—it can absolutely be the star of dinner. Whether you’re working with chicken, beef, sausage, or keeping it meatless, there’s a recipe here that makes broccoli work hard in all the right ways.

From cheesy casseroles and skillet meals to soups and stir fries, these are the kind of dinners that check the box for easy and filling. A few of them come together in one pan, others are perfect for the slow cooker or Instant Pot. These meals are great for weeknights when you want dinner done without a lot of fuss. Some are freezer-friendly, others are just right for leftovers the next day. You’ll find comforting casseroles, quick pasta dishes, and plenty of ideas for using what you have.

No fancy ingredients needed—just practical dinners that taste good and use broccoli in ways that make sense. If you’ve got a head of broccoli in the fridge, you’re halfway to dinner. These ideas are easy to scale up or down depending on how many you’re feeding. You might even find a new favorite to add to your weekly rotation.

Chicken Broccoli Bake

Comfort food at its easiest—this baked dish layers chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce under a crispy topping. It’s a solid option for weeknights and reheats well for lunch the next day. Serve it on its own or with rice or noodles if you want something heartier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Bake

Ground Beef and Broccoli Casserole

Hearty and full of flavor, this casserole uses everyday ingredients to pull together a quick dinner. It’s a nice way to mix things up from pasta or taco night. The broccoli holds its texture and balances out the richness of the beef.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Casserole

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

This fast stir fry cooks in one pan and comes out ready in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy nights when you need something filling but don’t want to spend hours cooking. Serve it over rice or noodles—or keep it low-carb on its own.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This soup is smooth, cheesy, and packed with broccoli in every spoonful. It’s great for colder days or easy lunches, and it freezes well if you want to make extra. Serve with bread or crackers for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

A classic combo that always works—chicken, broccoli, and melted cheese. It bakes in one dish, making cleanup easy. This one’s a hit with picky eaters and works well with leftover chicken or rotisserie.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

Arancini with Marinara and Broccolini

These crispy rice balls are stuffed with cheese and bits of tender broccolini, then served with warm marinara. They’re a great appetizer or snack, and you can make them ahead and reheat in the oven. A fun way to use up leftover risotto, too.
Get the Recipe: Arancini with Marinara and Broccolini

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

This version of the classic soup comes together fast in the pressure cooker. It’s creamy and cheesy without being too heavy, and the broccoli holds its shape nicely. Great for busy nights or meal prep for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

A go-to pasta dish that’s rich, comforting, and loaded with flavor. The broccoli adds color and texture while the sauce brings everything together. Use leftover chicken or cook it fresh—it works both ways.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Bold sausage pairs perfectly with slightly bitter broccoli rabe in this quick stovetop pasta dish. A little garlic and oil is all you need to tie it together. It’s fast, filling, and makes great leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Simple, fast, and full of flavor, this stovetop favorite comes together in under 30 minutes. The beef gets cooked with a flavorful sauce while the broccoli adds crunch. Serve it over rice or keep it simple as-is.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole

This all-in-one bake is perfect when you want a hearty dinner without much effort. It’s got tender potatoes, juicy chicken, and broccoli in every bite. Add cheese or sour cream if you want it extra creamy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Soft gnocchi, savory sausage, and just-wilted broccoli rabe make this skillet dinner a real winner. It cooks fast and feels a little special without being complicated. Great for weeknights when you want something different.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Slow cooker beef and broccoli

Set it and forget it—this slow cooker version makes dinner easy. The beef turns tender, and the broccoli holds up surprisingly well. Serve with rice for a low-effort meal that feels put together.
Get the Recipe: Slow cooker beef and broccoli

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Everything goes in one dish: chicken, rice, broccoli, and a creamy sauce. It’s cozy, filling, and kid-approved. Leftovers reheat well, making it a great option for next-day lunches.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

This takeout-inspired recipe roasts beef and broccoli together for easy cleanup and big flavor. The sauce thickens in the oven, and the broccoli comes out just the right amount of crisp. Serve with rice or noodles.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli