Not Ranch, Not Cheese Sauce — Broccoli Tastes Unforgettable With This Dressing

Though an ordinary ranch packet can add unbelievable flavor to roasted broccoli, there's still a wealth of untapped potential when it comes to finding new and delicious ways to elevate this popular brassica. Its nutty earthiness pairs beautifully with a wide range of flavors, but those that enhance it best are usually some combination of tangy, lightly acidic, and slightly sweet, as a contrast to broccoli's natural flavors. This combo highlights broccoli's tastier aspects while effectively hiding any lingering bitterness that may be lurking in the florets, even after roasting.

One tasty topping that perfectly embodies this flavor profile is among the old-school salad dressings no one uses anymore: Catalina dressing. Anyone growing up during the last third of the 20th century likely remembers a bottle of this bright, red-orange dressing showing up at the dinner table several times a week. It graced many a salad with a sweet, tart burst of tomato puree, sugar, vinegar, and dried garlic and onions. Paired with broccoli, it creates a balanced flavor that's both refreshing and satiating.

The best part? It's just as good on raw broccoli as it is on the roasted stuff. Dip fresh florets into Catalina dressing as a tasty side for your lunchtime ham and cheese sandwich, drizzle it over roasted broccoli on a bed of fluffy, herby steamed rice, or stream a little of it into homemade cream of broccoli soup to give it a hint of tangy brightness.

Since Catalina dressing and broccoli are both so versatile, there are plenty of ways you can combine them. In addition to being a great dip for a broccoli-forward veggie tray or a tangy coating for broccoli that's been perfectly flash-fried to create charred florets, it's also delicious mixed with other ingredients to build flavor. 

For instance, if you're a big fan of spring and summertime broccoli salads and slaws, Catalina dressing is the perfect thing to add to the mix to brighten up the flavor and really make the broccoli shine. If you usually use a mayo or sour cream-based dressing for broccoli salad, a few tablespoons of Catalina dressing mixed with the creamy base creates a cool, savory coating for your veggies that has the tiniest hint of sweetness to round out the flavors. That same combination, especially with sour cream, is also delicious on shrimp and broccoli tacos, or as a spread on grilled veggie sandwiches with lightly blackened broccoli stuffed inside.

You can also add a shake or two of hot sauce to this combo if you love spice since the heat elevates the flavors in the dressing. This also goes for elevating the dressing itself, especially if you prefer making your own version with a blend of ketchup, white sugar, vinegar, and seasonings. After all, Catalina dressing isn't as popular as it used to be, so it might not always be on store shelves.