Roasted Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)

Roasted rapini is one of my favorite vegetables to serve with steak or salmon. It’s dark green, leafy, and slightly bitter. And that bitter flavor makes it a vegetable that people either love or hate. I happen to love it! And I hope after making this roasted rapini recipe you’ll love it too.

What’s The Difference Between Rapini, Broccoli Rabe, and Broccolini?

Good question! I know there’s a lot of “broccs” and “-inis” in there. So let’s briefly explore these very similar (yet botanically different) vegetables and the way they taste.

First, broccoli rabe is also known as rapini. They are one and the same. However, rapini is not broccolini at all. Rapini (aka broccoli rabe) is more closely related to mustard greens or a turnip which is where it gets that delicious mouth-watering bitter flavor. Think of it like Italian broccoli. 

Now, broccolini is a hybrid of the regular broccoli you probably grew up eating (or hating) and Chinese broccoli. The name broccolini is actually a registered trademark. Think of it as Chinese broccoli or baby broccoli.

Want to know how to tell the difference between the two? Rapini has more leafy greens, whereas broccolini has less greens and more long thin stalks with baby broccoli florets.

What Does Rapini Taste Like

Rapini leaves buds and stems are all edible. And the flavor is slightly bitter, which truly awakens the tastebuds. It’s associated with Italian and mediterranean cuisine, so you often find it sautéed or roasted with a little olive oil and garlic. A squeeze of lemon also balances out the bitterness and creates a bright mouth-watering flavor.

What’s The Best Way To Cook Rapini?

Sautéed is the most common method of cooking. But personally, I prefer to roast rapini since it’s easier to get a whole bushel of it on one sheet pan and bake it in the oven while you’re grilling or cooking meats or another main dish. Add a piece of parchment paper to keep it from sticking to the pan and the cleanup will be easy too!

To roast rapini, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is pre-heating, rinse the rapini under water to give it a quick wash and then pat dry with a paper towel.
Then add the rapini to a large bowl and coat with olive oil, mixing it together with your hands or salad tongs to make sure all the vegetables are lightly coated in oil.
Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread out the rapini on top. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. For enhanced flavor, add 1/4″ lemon slices on top of the rapini. Roast for 10 minutes until the leaves and florets have started to brown. Let cool for two to three minutes, then serve!

It is one of the easiest side dishes to make and looks impressive when presented in a bowl with sliced lemon. Look for our printable recipe below and enjoy making this quick side dish.

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Roasted Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

An easy recipe for roasting rapini (broccoli rabe) in the oven with a little olive oil, sea salt, and lemon.

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Ingredients

• 1 Bunch Rapini (Approx. 4 Cups)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• One Lemon, Sliced Thin
• Salt and Pepper To Taste

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Rinse the rapini under water to wash and pat dry with a papertowel.
3. Add the rapini to a large bowl and coat with the olive oil, mixing it together with your hands or salad tongs to make sure all the vegetables are lightly coated in oil.
4. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out the rapini.
5. Cut the lemon into 1/4" slices and place them on top of the rapini.
6. Roast rapini for 10 minutes until the leaves and florets have started to brown.
7. Let cool for two to three minutes, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then serve!

Notes

I like to use parchemnt paper instead of aluminum foil since the rapini doesn't stick to it.

The lemon is optional, but I think it enhances the flavor and reduces the bitterness just a bit.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 6
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 26Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 52mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutrition Information Provided Is Only An Estimate

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