Broccoli Pasta
This light and healthy broccoli pasta is a simple, flavorful dish made with tender pasta, fresh broccoli, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. It’s the perfect quick dinner when you want something satisfying without heavy sauces. Packed with wholesome ingredients, this easy pasta recipe is great for busy weeknights.
Servings: 4
Calories: 480kcal
Ingredients
- 12 oz shell pasta
- 1 large broccoli head cut into small florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes crushed
- 3/4 tsp salt more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper more to taste
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the broccoli and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the cooked broccoli and a splash of the reserved water. Season with salt and pepper, then cook and stir until the broccoli becomes very soft and easy to mash.
- In the same pot, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli mixture. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and toss everything together until well combined.
- If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overcook the broccoli, keep it tender but still bright green.
- Save some pasta water to help create a smooth, silky sauce when mixing everything together.
Nutrition
Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 321mg | Iron: 1mg