Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (2024)

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe has been a favorite of our family for many years. I created a copycat version of the Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe with Mizithra Cheese and browned butter because we loved it! I think my version is healthier than the spaghetti factory broccoli but it tastes just as good!

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (1)

Why we love Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe

We adore our Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe so much! Back in 2006 we enjoyed this recipe while at dining at the Old Spaghetti Factory–after reading the description on the menu, I knew I could make it at home.

I asked our waitress about the mizithra cheese (back then it wasn’t readily available in stores). I was able to buy some to take home with me and that’s how it became one of our favorite veggie dishes!

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (2)

Give our simple to make Roasted Spiced Cauliflower Recipe a try too!

What is Mizithra Cheese?

• Mizithra Cheese is a Greek cheese made from sheep or goats milk. It is primarily produced on the island of Crete, but it is widespread throughout Greece.Mizithra can be salt dried to produce a mature salty cheese.

• Mizithra is a pasteurized sheep’s milk cheese made all over Greece. In the past, balls of Mizithra were hung outside wrapped in sheets to drain as part of their preparation. Today, cheese makers try to stay true to the rustic roots of hanging, depending on the time of year the milk was harvested.

• When cooking with Mizithra, or any ethnic ingredient, it helps to look at how the people who created it use it.

• The Greeks enjoy Mizithra at all times of the day.

• For breakfast serve slices with thyme honey and fresh fruit. Serve it as an appetizer with olives, tomatoes, basil and bread, like you would Mozzarella. As this cheese ages, it evolves and goes even better with traditional Greek flavors. Crumble or grate it over Mediterranean inspired salads and pastas. For a wine pairing, try serving it with Prosecco.

Step-by-Step tutorial to make Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe


Ingredients for Spaghetti Factory Broccoli (copy cat)

In a large fry pan, sprayed with cooking spray, melt butter

Continue to cook 1-2 minutes, stirring, until nicely browned

Add broccoli and stir

Cover with lid, cook 1 min, stir, repeat until tender crisp. approx 4-5 minutes

Broccoli is ready, sprinkle and stir in 2 tsp Mizithra Cheese

Pour onto serving platter and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Enjoy!!





How to buy Mizithra Cheese

If your not familiar with Mizithra Cheese you can find it any store that carries a large variety of cheeses. If there is a Spaghetti Factory near you they sell it–all shredded and ready to go by the pound.

It freezes wonderfully and last up to 4 months in the freezer.

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (15)

Let us tempt you with our Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes with Cranberry Chevre Recipe too!

Yield: 6

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (16)

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe has been a favorite of our family for many years!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 cups broccoli florets
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3-4 tablespoons Mizithra Cheese, finely grated
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Coat large fry pan with cooking spray; warm pan to medium high.
  2. Melt butter, stirring, continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until butter caramelizes and fragrant.
  3. Add broccoli, stir, cover with a lid and cook 1 minute, stir, repeat until tender soft.
  4. Approx 4-5 minutes.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons Mizithra Cheese, pour onto serving platter, sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  6. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 117Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 182mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 4g

More Side Recipes

Brown Sugar Banana Squash

German Apple and Celery Root Salad

Southwest Roasted Cauliflower

Green Beans with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette and Parmesan Crumbs

Roasted Butternut Squash, Feta, and Pine Nut Salad

Browned Butter, Parmesan, and Almond Green Beans

Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe is a real crowd pleaser… your kids will even want to eat their veggies!

One more thing before you go…

We love creating recipes and sharing our adventures with you, so if you can do us a huge favor it’d really support us! It’s easier to stay motivated to share our best with you when we hear from you! We adore our readers and it really makes our day to get comments, social tags/shares, or pins that you save for later to share with your family and friends.

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Old Spaghetti Factory Broccoli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of cheese does Spaghetti Factory use? ›

A unique cheese with a devoted following, Mizithra has been a part of The Old Spaghetti Factory's family recipes since 1969. It's a toothsome treat for cheese lovers.

What is mitzvah cheese? ›

Mizithra (sometimes spelled Myzithra) cheese is a Greek whey cheese made from goat's and sheep's milk. When it is first made, it resembles ricotta cheese, with a more mild taste, but then it can be salt-dried into a harder cheese.

How to re-crisp broccoli? ›

You can soak the broccoli in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes or more to help it regain its firmness. Another method is to slice off a portion of the stem and place the remaining stem and crown in a pot with a cup of water. Store it in the fridge overnight, and the broccoli will be crisp and fresh in the morning.

What can I substitute for Mizithra cheese? ›

Substitutes. Myzithra is a whey cheese, and while nothing matches the original, you can use mascarpone or ricotta in place of fresh myzithra, and ricotta salata, Parmesan, or Pecorino Romano in place of aged myzithra.

What does Mizithra cheese taste like? ›

The cheese is soft, snow-white, creamy, and moist. Since no salt is added to mizithra it has an almost sweet and milky taste. It is eaten as dessert with honey or as mezes with olives and tomato.

Why is it called a mitzvah? ›

The literal meaning of the Hebrew word mitzvah is commandment, but the generally accepted sense is that of a good deed. The emphasis is on deeds—not on positive thoughts or wishes, but on conscious acts of empathy and kindness.

Is Mizithra similar to Parmesan? ›

Get quality Parmesan from your supermarket, and it will mimic the taste and texture of aged mizithra pretty well, even though it won't be quite as creamy. Parmesan is also a little saltier than mizithra on average.

What is a mitzvah for a girl? ›

Becoming a bat mitzvah, or "daughter of the commandments," signifies that a young woman has attained legal adulthood under Jewish law. A bat mitzvah is based on the centuries-old ritual of bar mitzvah, or "son of the commandments," the ceremony for 13-year-old boys.

What does adding baking soda to broccoli do? ›

By adding baking soda, you make the water slightly alkaline (the opposite of acidic). This preserves a compound called chlorophyll, which gives vegetables like green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and broccoli their vibrant, green color.

How do Chinese restaurants keep broccoli crisp? ›

It's best to start with as much boiling water as you can. Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

Can dogs eat broccoli? ›

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

What is Mizithra cheese made from? ›

Description. Myzithra is a traditional Greek cheese made from whey derived from ewe's, goat's, or cow's milk or mixtures of milk. It is primarily produced on the island of Crete. Fresh Myzithra has a mild and slightly tangy flavour and needs to be consumed within a few days.

What cheese do Italians use on spaghetti? ›

Parmesan is the classic choice, and there's never a recipe that won't be complemented by this versatile cheese! Traditional parmesan from Italy can only be called Parmigiano-Reggiano if it's from designated areas of the country, but the recipe has been exported across the world.

What is the best melting cheese for spaghetti? ›

8 Best Cheeses for Melting in Pastas, Paninis, Omelets, Casseroles, and More
  1. Fontina. Fontina can be buttery and a bit fruity; Fontina Val d'Aosta, from Italy's Aosta Valley, is firmer, more pungent, and nuttier (and always made of raw milk). ...
  2. Gouda. ...
  3. Asiago. ...
  4. Taleggio. ...
  5. Reblochon. ...
  6. Provolone. ...
  7. Mozzarella. ...
  8. Gruyère.
Oct 18, 2023

Is there such thing as synthetic cheese? ›

Cheese analogues (more widely known as cheese alternatives) are products used as culinary replacements for cheese. They are usually products made by blending other fats or proteins and used in convenience foods.

References

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