Broccoli Bites with Cheesy Green Dip & Fun Shape Sides
Broccoli Bites with Cheesy Green Dip & Fun Shape Sides
Ingredients
For the Cheesy Green Dip
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Broccoli Bites
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Fun Shape Sides
- 2 carrots, peeled
- 1 cucumber, peeled, optional
- 1 red bell pepper, cored
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cored
- 2 whole wheat pita bread, cut into triangles, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, gently toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 12-15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and has a slight golden-brown color. If you prefer, you can steam the broccoli until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
While the broccoli is cooking, let's make our yummy Cheesy Green Dip! In a medium saucepan, combine the softened cream cheese, the very dry spinach, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk or spoon, until all the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth and warm. Make sure it doesn't boil!
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Now for the Fun Shape Sides! Wash and peel the carrots and cucumber (if you're using it). Slice the carrots and cucumber into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Use small, fun cookie cutters (like stars, hearts, or dinosaurs) to cut out shapes from the carrot and cucumber slices, and from the pieces of bell pepper. Arrange these colorful shapes nicely on a serving platter.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Time to put it all together! Pour the warm cheesy green dip into a kid-friendly bowl. Arrange the roasted broccoli bites (your 'little trees'!) and all the fun shape veggie cut-outs around the dip. If you're using pita bread, add those triangles too. Encourage everyone to dip their colorful veggies into the delicious green dip!
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Broccoli Bites with Cheesy Green Dip & Fun Shape Sides
Ingredients
For the Cheesy Green Dip
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Broccoli Bites
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Fun Shape Sides
- 2 carrots, peeled
- 1 cucumber, peeled, optional
- 1 red bell pepper, cored
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cored
- 2 whole wheat pita bread, cut into triangles, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, gently toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 12-15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and has a slight golden-brown color. If you prefer, you can steam the broccoli until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
While the broccoli is cooking, let's make our yummy Cheesy Green Dip! In a medium saucepan, combine the softened cream cheese, the very dry spinach, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk or spoon, until all the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth and warm. Make sure it doesn't boil!
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Now for the Fun Shape Sides! Wash and peel the carrots and cucumber (if you're using it). Slice the carrots and cucumber into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Use small, fun cookie cutters (like stars, hearts, or dinosaurs) to cut out shapes from the carrot and cucumber slices, and from the pieces of bell pepper. Arrange these colorful shapes nicely on a serving platter.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Time to put it all together! Pour the warm cheesy green dip into a kid-friendly bowl. Arrange the roasted broccoli bites (your 'little trees'!) and all the fun shape veggie cut-outs around the dip. If you're using pita bread, add those triangles too. Encourage everyone to dip their colorful veggies into the delicious green dip!
⏱️ 5 min