Broccoli Parmesan- one skillet dish

One skillet broccoli parmesan is one of those recipes that follow the rule that necessity is the mother of invention. 

I went out with my family one night to a local Italian restaurant. Although they had gluten free pizza and gluten free pasta on the menu, I just didn't want to eat a high carbohydrate meal. Being a vegetarian, there was little else I could eat. I asked the chef if he could make me a dish with broccoli, marinara sauce, and cheese. He did and it was delicious!

Eat it as the main course or a side

I liked it so much, I decided to replicate it for myself at home. I simply used one skillet and some basic ingredients. I wasn't that hungry so I ate my broccoli Parmesan as my meal; my husband ate it as a side with a grilled cheese sandwich ( gluten free bread).

I started out with  a sautee of fresh broccoli, garlic, and some chopped tomatoes- added marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese ( vegans- omit cheese or add nutritional yeast)

It is a simple recipe but very tasty- a recipe that the entire family will enjoy and a great way to get family members to eat their broccoli! 

Ingredients: 

1 head of broccoli cut into flowerettes

2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tomato chopped

1/4 cup of vegetable broth

2 cups of marinara sauce ( gluten free) 

1 cup of parmesan cheese or ** Vegan Cheese

olive oil spray

optional: I cut some fresh basil and fresh cilantro from the garden and added in the last minute of cooking to allow it to just wilt- you could also add some pine nuts

Directions: 

Spray a 12 inch skillet with olive oil spray . Add garlic and broccoli and sautee for about 2 minutes then add tomatoes for another 2 minutes. Add vegetable broth and marinara sauce and allow to cook down on med-high until the liquid begins to cook off. Add Parmesan cheese and cover for about 2 minutes to finish cooking. While still in skillet, top with fresh chopped basil and allow to wilt.  Serve plain or over rice or quinoa.

My Notes: 
1. For a more substantial dish , serve it over rice, quinoa , or pasta
2. Vegans- leave off the cheese and its still delicious or substitute nutritional yeast for the cheese!