Growing up, vegetables were a source of strife. They usually came from a can, and unless my mom added about half a pound of cheese to the top, I resented their presence on my plate. As an adult, I’ve happily discovered the transformative power of roasted vegetables. Cooking vegetables at a high temperature in the oven (400 degrees F or more) makes their outsides crispy, their insides tender, and gives the vegetables rich, caramelized notes that make them borderline addictive. If you’d told childhood Erin that adult Erin would someday refer to vegetables as “addictive” and develop a habit of voluntarily devouring half a batch of recipes like Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Butternut Squash directly from the sheet pan before dinner, I would have been skeptical at best. Roasted Broccolini? Definitely wasn’t on my list. What would have convinced me? A serving of Parmesan roasted broccoli and carrots.
With the sprinkle of kid (and let’s be honest, adult) friendly ingredients like cheese and Italian seasoning, this easy vegetable side dish has universal appeal. With their natural sweetness, carrots are a quick sell, and the crispy little broccoli “trees” (as my niece calls them) are an easy addition. (This Roasted Broccoli is another favorite veggie side.) Even if your household does enthusiastically embrace vegetables (share all of your secrets in the comments below please!), it’s still easy to fall into a rut. Even something as simple as varying the ways you season the vegetables can breathe excitement into your dinner routine.
How to Roast Broccoli and Carrots
I borrowed the blend of spices I used to season the carrots and broccoli from my reader favorite Sheet Pan Chicken with Rainbow Vegetables, which has dozens of five-star reviews. You can use this herb and Parmesan combo for all different kinds of vegetables, so feel free to tweak the recipe for the ones you have on hand (this Parmesan Roasted Zucchini is another favorite that uses a spin on it).
The Ingredients
Carrots. Once roasted, the humble carrot’s flavors deepen and become deliciously sweet. Carrots are also incredibly nutritious. They’re packed with Vitamin-A, fiber, and minerals.Broccoli. The edges of the broccoli become delightfully crispy and the stems nice and tender. With high amounts of fiber and antioxidants, broccoli is another nutritious choice.Olive Oil. The key ingredient that helps the vegetables crisp up without burning.Italian Seasoning. A delicious blend of herbs that makes the veggies truly special.Spices. Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder are the winning combo.Parmesan. A shower of freshly grated Parmesan, while optional, is an addition you won’t regret one bit.
The Directions
A Few Roasted Vegetable Tips
When swapping out vegetables, stick to ones that will roast in a similar amount of time. For example, this recipe could easily adapt to roasted broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, since cauliflower florets roast in a similar amount of time to broccoli florets.If your vegetables don’t typically roast in the same amount of time, you can still cook them together by altering the size you chop them. For example, if I wanted to make today’s recipe with roasted broccoli, carrots, and peppers, I’d chop the bell peppers a little larger (maybe ¾-inch or so) so that they finish cooking at the same time as the broccoli and carrots.Unless you are making a recipe developed specifically for frozen vegetables, like this Roasted Frozen Broccoli or these Roasted Frozen Brussels Sprouts, stick to fresh vegetables for the best texture and even cooking.Add a sauce. This is a fun way to make serving the vegetables extra appealing. I love the honey yogurt sauce on these Roasted Potatoes and Carrots.
What to Serve with Roasted Vegetables
Chicken. For a no-brainer meal everyone will love, pair this dish with Crock Pot Chicken Marsala.Pasta. Roasted vegetables would be a tasty side for this Pasta al Limone.Salmon. We love serving this Salmon Meuniere with a side of veggies.
Roasted Broccoli and Carrots Storage Tips
To Store. Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Rewarm broccoli and carrots on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F until hot. You can also reheat the vegetables in the microwave.To Freeze. Store the vegetables in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Easy Vegetable Sides
Brussels Sprouts ChipsSauteed CarrotsSmashed Brussels SproutsEasy Sauteed Zucchini with ParmesanSauteed Cabbage
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Rimmed Baking Sheets. If you enjoy making roasted vegetables (like Roasted Red Peppers), having high-quality baking sheets is essential. I use mine daily.Fish Spatula. Perfect for flipping roasted veggies.Vegetable Peeler. This tool makes peeling the carrots a breeze.
Say hello to the (vegetable) roast with the most! I hope you catch yourself gobbling these off of the sheet pan too.
