Description

Broccoli Pasta is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful dish combining tender pasta with fresh broccoli, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and bright lemon notes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this wholesome meal is easy to prepare, adaptable to various variations, and family friendly with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

8 oz pasta of choice (penne, farfalle, spaghetti, etc.)
2 cups fresh broccoli florets

Flavorings and Fats

3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Reserved pasta water, about 1 cup

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Five minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the same pot and cook until tender but still bright green. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, infusing the oil with garlic aroma.
Combine Ingredients: Add the drained pasta and broccoli into the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss together over low heat. Gradually stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a light, silky sauce that coats every piece.
Season and Finish: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice or zest, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Toss well and serve piping hot.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente by slightly undercooking initially to finish gently with other ingredients, ensuring perfect texture.
Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and keep it glossy and silky without heaviness.
Sauté garlic gently over medium-low heat to avoid burning and bitterness.
Use fresh broccoli for best texture and flavor instead of frozen.
Grate Parmesan cheese freshly for optimal flavor and texture rather than using pre-grated.
Add red pepper flakes gradually, starting small and adjusting to desired heat level.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: broccoli pasta, quick pasta recipe, healthy pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, weeknight meals